Swedish Phrase Book
Ashok Kumawat
© Ashok Kumawat, 2023
ISBN 978-5-0060-7131-5
Создано в интеллектуальной издательской системе Ridero
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this Swedish Phrase Book is intended for general reference and educational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the content, the author and publisher do not assume any responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions, or consequences arising from the use of the information contained within this book.
It is important to note that languages, including their phrases and expressions, can evolve over time and may vary in different regions or contexts. Therefore, the phrases and translations provided should be used as a general guide and may not always reflect the exact or current usage in all situations.
Readers are advised to exercise their own judgment and discretion when using the phrases and to seek further clarification or professional assistance as needed. The author and publisher disclaim any responsibility for any misunderstandings, misinterpretations, or miscommunications that may occur as a result of using the information in this book.
Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the reader to use the phrases and expressions in a respectful and appropriate manner, considering the cultural and social context in which they are applied.
Chapter 1: Greetings and Introductions
In Sweden, greetings and introductions play an important role in social interactions. They serve as a way to show respect, establish rapport, and create a friendly atmosphere. Whether youre meeting someone for the first time or greeting a friend, mastering the art of greetings and introductions in Swedish will help you make a positive impression. In this chapter, we will explore some essential phrases and expressions to help you navigate these initial encounters.
Basic Greetings:
Lets start with the basics. The most common way to greet someone in Swedish is by saying «Hej» (pronounced hey), which is equivalent to the English «Hi» or «Hello.» Its a versatile greeting that can be used in both formal and informal settings. For a more formal greeting, you can use «God dag» (pronounced good dahg), which means «Good day.»
Good Morning, Good Afternoon, and Good Evening:
To greet someone in the morning, you can say «God morgon» (pronounced good mor-gon). In the afternoon, you would use «God eftermiddag» (pronounced good ef-ter-mid-dag). And in the evening, the appropriate greeting is «God kväll» (pronounced good kvel).
How Are You?:
When meeting someone, its common to ask how they are doing. In Swedish, you can ask «Hur mår du?» (pronounced hoor mor doo). Its a polite way to show interest in the persons well-being. The response to this question can be «Bra, tack» (pronounced brah, tack), which means «Good, thank you,» or «Inte så bra» (pronounced een-teh so brah), meaning «Not so good.»
Introducing Yourself:
To introduce yourself, you can say «Jag heter [your name]» (pronounced yag he-ter [your name]), which means «My name is [your name].» For example, if your name is Lisa, you would say «Jag heter Lisa.»
Asking Someones Name:
To ask someones name, you can say «Vad heter du?» (pronounced vad he-ter doo), which translates to «What is your name?» Its a straightforward and commonly used phrase in Swedish.
Nice to Meet You:
When meeting someone for the first time, its polite to express that its nice to meet them. In Swedish, you can say «Trevligt att träffas» (pronounced trev-ligt at traff-as). This phrase conveys a genuine sense of pleasure in making the persons acquaintance.
Formal Introductions:
In more formal situations, such as business meetings or official events, its customary to use formal introductions. You can say «Herr/Fru [last name]» (pronounced herr/froo [last name]), which means «Mr./Mrs. [last name].» For example, if the persons last name is Andersson, you would say «Herr/Fru Andersson.»
Goodbye:
When its time to part ways, there are several ways to say goodbye in Swedish. The most common way is «Hej då» (pronounced hey doo), which is equivalent to «Goodbye» or «See you.» For a more formal goodbye, you can use «Adjö» (pronounced ad-yo), which means «Farewell.»
Remember, greetings and introductions are essential in Swedish culture, and using these phrases will help you establish positive connections with the people you meet. Practice these expressions, and youll find yourself navigating social situations in Sweden with ease.
Chapter 2: Basic Expressions
In any language, mastering basic expressions is essential for effective communication. These phrases serve as building blocks for everyday conversations and can help you navigate a variety of situations. In this chapter, we will explore some fundamental Swedish expressions that will enable you to express yourself and understand others more easily.
Yes and No:
To respond affirmatively, you can simply say «Ja» (pronounced ya) in Swedish. For a negative response, the word is «Nej» (pronounced nay).
Please and Thank You:
Politeness is highly valued in Swedish culture. To say «please,» use the word «Snälla» (pronounced snel-la). For example, «Can you help me, please?» would be «Kan du hjälpa mig, snälla?» (pronounced kan doo yel-pa me, snel-la). «Thank you» is «Tack» (pronounced tack), and for expressing gratitude in a more formal way, you can say «Tack så mycket» (pronounced tack so my-ket), which means «Thank you very much.»
Excuse Me:
When trying to get someones attention or when apologizing, you can use the phrase «Ursäkta mig» (pronounced oor-sheck-ta may). Its a polite way to ask for someones attention or to apologize for any inconvenience.
Im Sorry:
To apologize, you can say «Förlåt» (pronounced fur-loht) in Swedish. Its a common and widely used phrase for expressing regret or asking for forgiveness.
I Dont Understand:
If you dont understand something, you can say «Jag förstår inte» (pronounced yag for-stor in-teh). This phrase will help you communicate that you need further clarification or explanation.
Could You Repeat That, Please?:
To ask someone to repeat what they said, you can say «Kan du upprepa det, snälla?» (pronounced kan doo oop-reh-pa deh, snel-la). Its a useful phrase when you didnt catch something the first time.
Can You Speak English?:
If youre having difficulty communicating in Swedish and need to switch to English, you can ask «Kan du prata engelska?» (pronounced kan doo pra-ta eng-el-ska). This phrase will help you determine if the person can speak English and make the conversation smoother.
I Need Help:
When you require assistance, you can say «Jag behöver hjälp» (pronounced yag be-hur-der yel-p). This expression will let others know that you are in need of help or support.
Where is?:
To ask for directions, use the phrase «Where is?» (pronounced var air). For example, «Where is the nearest bank?» would be «Where is the nearest bank?» (pronounced var air ner-mas-teh ban-ken).
How Much Does It Cost?:
When shopping or inquiring about prices, you can ask «Hur mycket kostar det?» (pronounced hoor mew-cket koo-star deht). This question will help you find out the price of a particular item or service.
I Would Like:
To express your desires or make a request, use the phrase «Jag skulle vilja» (pronounced yag skool-leh vil-ya), followed by what you would like. For example, «I would like a cup of coffee» would be «Jag skulle vilja ha en kopp kaffe» (pronounced yag skool-leh vil-ya ha en kopp kaf-feh).
Im Lost:
If you find yourself lost and need directions, you can say «Jag har gått vilse» (pronounced yag har got vil-se). It means «Im lost» and will help you seek assistance from others.
These basic expressions will serve as valuable tools in your Swedish language journey. Practice them in different contexts to build your confidence and enhance your communication skills.
Chapter 3: Asking for Directions
Navigating a new city or town can be an exciting adventure, but it can also be a bit overwhelming. Asking for directions is a crucial skill that will help you find your way around and explore with confidence. In this chapter, we will cover essential phrases and expressions to assist you in asking for directions in Swedish.
Excuse Me, Can You Help Me?:
To politely seek assistance, start with the phrase «Ursäkta mig, kan du hjälpa mig?» (pronounced oor-sheck-ta may, kan doo yel-pa may). This phrase conveys politeness and lets the person know that you need their help.
Where is?:
When asking for a specific location, use the question «Var är?» (pronounced var air). For example, «Where is the train station?» would be «Var är tågstationen?» (pronounced var air tohg-sta-shoh-nen).
How Do I Get to?:
If youre looking for directions to a particular place, you can ask «How do I get to?» (pronounced hoor comes yag). For instance, «How do I get to the museum?» would be «How do I get to the museum?» (pronounced hoor, yag comes to moo-se).
Is It Far?:
To inquire about the distance to a location, you can ask «Är det långt härifrån?» (pronounced air deht longt hair-ee-fron). This question will help you gauge the proximity of your destination.
Can You Show Me on the Map?:
If you have a map or if the person youre asking has one, you can ask «Kan du visa mig på kartan?» (pronounced kan doo vee-sa may poh kar-tan). This phrase will help you visually understand the directions.
Turn Left/Right:
To understand the directions, its crucial to know the Swedish words for left and right. «Left» is «vänster» (pronounced ven-ster), and «right» is «höger» (pronounced hoo-ger). When receiving directions, listen for these words to know which way to go.
Straight Ahead:
When the person tells you to continue straight, they will likely say «Rakt fram» (pronounced rakt fram). This instruction means to keep moving forward without turning.
Go Back:
If you need to retrace your steps or go back, you can say «Gå tillbaka» (pronounced go till-bah-ka). Its a useful phrase when you realize you went in the wrong direction.
Intersection:
If the person mentions an intersection, they may say «Korsning» (pronounced kor-sning). This word refers to the point where two or more roads meet.
Traffic Lights:
When discussing traffic lights, the Swedish word is «Trafikljus» (pronounced traf-ik-loos). Pay attention to these instructions to navigate intersections correctly.
Bus Stop:
If youre looking for a bus stop, you can ask «Var är busshållplatsen?» (pronounced var air boos-hol-plat-sen). This question will help you locate the nearest bus stop.
Train Station:
To ask for directions to the train station, you can say «Var är tågstationen?» (pronounced var air tohg-sta-shoh-nen). This phrase will guide you to the nearest train station.
Remember, when asking for directions, its essential to listen carefully and ask for clarification if needed. Repeat the directions back to the person to ensure you understood correctly. By practicing these phrases, youll be able to navigate Swedish cities and towns confidently.
Chapter 4: Transportation and Travel
Whether youre exploring Swedens vibrant cities or embarking on a scenic countryside adventure, understanding transportation and travel phrases is essential. This chapter will equip you with the necessary vocabulary and expressions to navigate various modes of transportation and make your travel experiences in Sweden smoother and more enjoyable.
Public Transportation:
Sweden offers an extensive public transportation system that includes buses, trains, trams, and metros. Here are some phrases to help you navigate public transportation:
«Where is the nearest bus stop?» (pronounced var air ner-mas-teh boos-hol-plat-sen) means «Where is the nearest bus stop?»
«Which bus goes to the city center?» (pronounced vil-ken boos gor till sen-trum) means «Which bus goes to the city center?»
«En biljet till Stockholm, thank» (pronounced en bil-yet till stock-holm, thank) means «One ticket to Stockholm, please.»
«Where is the nearest train station?» (pronounced var air ner-mas-teh tohg-sta-shoh-nen) means «Where is the nearest train station?»
«Which track does the train leave from?» (pronounced vil-ket spohr gor toh-get fron) means «Which platform does the train depart from?»
Taxis:
Taxis are readily available in Swedish cities. To hail a taxi or communicate with a taxi driver, use the following phrases:
«Can you take me to the airport?» (pronounced kan doo tah may till floog-plat-sen) means «Can you take me to the airport?»
«Jag ska till hotelel» (pronounced yag ska till ho-tel-let) means «Im going to the hotel.»
«Can you drop me off here?» (pronounced kan doo slap-pa by may hair) means «Can you drop me off here?»
«How much does a taxi ride to the city center cost?» (pronounced vad koo-star en tah-ksee-reh-sa till sen-trum) means «How much does a taxi ride to the city center cost?»
Airports:
If youre traveling by air, these phrases will come in handy at the airport:
«Where is the check-in desk?» (pronounced var air in-check-ning-dis-ken) means «Where is the check-in counter?»
«I would like to check-in, please» (pronounced yag skool-leh vil-ya check-a in, thank) means «I would like to check-in, please.»
«Wheres the security check?» (pronounced var air sa-ker-hets-kon-trol-len) means «Where is the security checkpoint?»
«When is my flight?» (pronounced nar gor mitt floog) means «When does my flight depart?»
«Which gate should I go to?» (pronounced vil-ken gate ska yag gor till) means «Which gate should I go to?»
Trains:
Swedens train network is extensive and efficient. These phrases will assist you when traveling by train:
«En biljet till Göteborg, thank» (pronounced en bil-yet till yoo-te-bor-y, thanks) means «One ticket to Gothenburg, please.»
«Is this the train to Malmö?» (pronounced air deh-toh toh-get till mal-moo) means «Is this the train to Malmö?»
«Which car is the restaurant car?» (pronounced vil-ken vahgn air res-to-rang-vahg-nen) means «Which carriage is the dining car?»
«When will we arrive?» (pronounced nar kommer vee fram) means «When will we arrive?»
Car Rentals:
If you plan to rent a car, the following phrases will be useful:
«I would like to rent a car» (pronounced yag skool-leh vil-ya hee-ra en bil) means «I would like to rent a car.»
«Are there any available cars?» (pronounced fins deht noy-gra led-ee-ga bil-ar) means «Are there any available cars?»
«Where is the car rental?» (pronounced var air bil-oot-hyr-ning-en) means «Where is the car rental office?»
«I have a reservation under the name» (pronounced yag har en book-ning paw nam-net) means «I have a reservation under the name»
Asking for Assistance:
If you find yourself in need of assistance while traveling, these phrases will be helpful:
«Excuse me can you help me?» (pronounced oor-sheck-ta, kan doo yel-pa may) means «Excuse me, can you help me?»
«I have lost myself. Can you show me the way?» (pronounced yag har tah-pat bort may, kan doo vee-sa may vay-gen) means «Im lost. Can you show me the way?»
«Do I need a travel guide?» (pronounced be-hur-der yag en reh-seh-gwee-de) means «Do I need a tour guide?»
By familiarizing yourself with these transportation and travel phrases, youll feel more confident and comfortable during your journey in Sweden.
Chapter 5: Ordering Food and Drinks
Swedish cuisine is known for its delicious flavors and unique dishes. When dining out in Sweden, being able to order food and drinks in Swedish will enhance your culinary experience. In this chapter, we will explore essential phrases and expressions for ordering food and drinks, allowing you to savor the delights of Swedish cuisine.