Basic Swedish Phrases to Know

A really quick list of Swedish phrases to know. Even though everyone in our generation speaks English, it’s always nice to throw a few words here and there in Swedish.

ja – yes
nej – no

tack – please (used at the end of a sentence); thanks, thank you
tack så mycket – thank you very much
varsågod – you’re welcome

hej or hej hej – hi, hello
hejsan – hi (informal)

god dag – hello; goodbye (literally: good day; can be used any time from morning until around 5pm)
god morgon – good morning (used until around 11am)
god middag – good afternoon (used around noon)
god kväll – good evening (used from around 5pm)

välkommen! – welcome!
välkommen till … – welcome to …

hej or hej hej – bye
hejdå – goodbye
god natt – goodnight
vi ses! – see you! (informal)
vi ses snart! – see you soon!
vi ses senare! – see you later!
ha en bra dag! – have a good day!

ursäkta mig – excuse me (to get someone’s attention or to get past someone); sorry
förlåt – sorry
inga problem – no problem
det gör inget – don’t worry about it

pratar du engelska? – do you speak English?

jag pratar inte svenska – I don’t speak Swedish
jag pratar lite svenska – I speak a little Swedish
jag pratar väldigt lite svenska – I only speak very little Swedish

var snäll och prata långsammare – please speak more slowly
kan du säga det igen? – could you please repeat that?

jag förstår – I understand
jag förstår inte – I don’t understand

jag vet – I know
jag vet inte – I don’t know

var är toaletten? – where is the toilet, please?

How much is a ticket to _____? Vad kostar en biljett till _____?
One ticket to _____, please. En biljett till _____, tack.
Where does this train go? Vart går detta tåg ?
Where does this bus go? Vart går denna buss?
Where is the train/bus to _____? Var är tåget/bussen till _____?
Does this train/bus stop in _____? Stannar tåget/bussen i_____?
When does the train/bus for _____ leave? När åker tåget/bussen till_____?
When will this train/bus arrive in _____? När kommer tåget/bussen till_____?

Sapphire Svanström

Sapphire is an Indian American living in Stockholm, Sweden. When not
ranting about Swedish bedsheets or System Bolaget, she loves
kanelbulle and swedish waffles. She discusses the highs and
lows of living abroad in the arctic north on her blog Lost in Stockholm and beyond.

She has shot in countries from Iceland to the Phillipines and her photos have been featured in museums in Los Angeles and on the front page of Sweden's largest national newspapers.