What should you never say to a Swede?
Here are ten things you should never say to a Swede if you want to remain mates with them. This list from The Local's archives features everything from drinks and drugs to one very irritating Swedish chef. 1. “Oh, I love your cheese and your Alps.”
Do Swedes speak English?
No Problem, Swedes speak excellent English. So you can communicate without learning a single Swedish word. But, of course, learning a few basic Swedish sentences, to impress the attractive shop assistant or barkeeper can’t be wrong.
Do Swedes say hurdy?
If you've ever watched The Muppets, you'll know about the show's Swedish chef and his fictional accent. Swedes do not say hurdy and they most definitely don't say gurdy. Or anything like it, really. Besides helping Sweden edge its way past Norway on the international stage, the Swedish chef was nothing but a thorn in Swedes' sides.
Do Swedes make a lot of mistakes in their English?
While Swedes boast some of the best English language skills in the world, they are not immune to making a fair number of mistakes. The Local examines where Swedes slip up in English, and why. Have you ever wondered why your Swedish friend spends one night of every week doing his watch ?
What are some Swedish sayings?
12 Swedish phrases that are well worth knowingHej! Let's start you with an easy one. ... Fika. If Swedes do decide to leave the house in winter, it's probably to “fika”. ... Tomtar på loftet. Think someone is crazy? ... Skål. This is a useful one if you find yourself on a night out with Swedes. ... Glasögon. ... Grönsaker.
What is the hardest Swedish word to pronounce?
0:001:17Is this the hardest word to say in Swedish? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipCortex I'm a sweet and this is how I say it quick faster or more slowly.MoreCortex I'm a sweet and this is how I say it quick faster or more slowly.
How do you say common phrases in Swedish?
Read and practice these common Swedish phrases, and then follow Sven-Olof through his day to see if you have learned how to use them....Manners: Tack! Ursäkta! Varsågod!English phraseSwedish phraseHello!Hej! Hejsan! Hallå! Tjena(re)!Good morning!God morgon!Good day!Goddag!Good evening!God kväll!14 more rows•Mar 3, 2019
Are Swedes friendly to foreigners?
Swedish people are nice and helpful to foreigners but usually, they don't bother entering personal space. So, most of the time you will have to initiate the talk and then you may end up talking for hours. They are extremely professional and you should not jump to personal conversations.
Do Swedes roll their r?
They do not need to spend a lot of time learning how to roll their R's, and the result is that they will use the same pronunciation as a large part of the Swedish population.
How do you swear in Swedish?
0:112:16How to swear like a Swede (funny) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFor the most common swedish swear word you need va meaning what and fun meaning devil put themMoreFor the most common swedish swear word you need va meaning what and fun meaning devil put them together you get the fun what the devil my fun in sweden we swear a lot we're not shocked by swearing.
What do the Swedes call Sweden?
SverigeSverige is the Swedish word for 'Sweden'; the name of the Scandinavian country to the east of Norway and Denmark.
Is Swedish hard to learn?
Swedish is a category 1 language, according to the FSI. This means that learning it is just as easy for native English speakers as learning French or Spanish. So, this makes Swedish one of the easiest languages to learn.
What is the longest Swedish word?
realisationsvinstbeskattningSwedish is known for its long compound words, the longest, according to Svenska Akademiska ordlista, is 'realisationsvinstbeskattning' (28 letters) meaning capital gains tax. Another word which fascinates global linguists is 'världsschlager' – a rare word because it has eight consonants in a row.
Is Sweden depressing?
Sweden had the fifth highest rate of antidepressant use in OECD countries (behind Iceland, Portugal, Canada and Australia) in 2019. Over 10 percent of the population used some form of antidepressant last year. Sweden's youth are at the highest risk of depression in Europe, according to a study by Eurofound.
Why are the Swedes so attractive?
Swedes value nature and comfort, they tend to use natural materials in clothing and architecture, and they also value natural beauty a lot – and that's why many Swedish ladies look so attractive.
Which Nordic country is prettiest?
Norway. Norway is known for its deep fjords, steep mountains, Northern Lights and incredible national parks, including beautiful fauna. Maybe Norway is the most rural and traditional of these countries.
Is Swedish pronunciation difficult?
For an English speaker, Swedish is not that complex, compared to many other languages. But compared to English, the pronunciation may be a bit of a challenge. If you want to practice the vowel sounds, check out our Swedish Vowels Workshop Bundle.
What is the longest Swedish word?
realisationsvinstbeskattningSwedish is known for its long compound words, the longest, according to Svenska Akademiska ordlista, is 'realisationsvinstbeskattning' (28 letters) meaning capital gains tax. Another word which fascinates global linguists is 'världsschlager' – a rare word because it has eight consonants in a row.
How do you say Malmö?
Break 'Malmo' down into sounds: [MAL] + [MOH] - say it out loud and exaggerate the sounds until you can consistently produce them.
How do you pronounce SJ in Swedish?
2:294:33How to REALLY pronounce the Swedish 'SJ' sound - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFirst you say and then ena it's almost like you put a little ooh in between so weena think of theMoreFirst you say and then ena it's almost like you put a little ooh in between so weena think of the word queen. If you would say if you would replace the decay with the wear.
What is the Swedish phrase for "not having an opinion"?
Avoid conflict and stay silent while someone is telling you what they think about something, then slip in a snide remark about actually having an opinion, but keep this opinion to yourself, because you don’t want to create a dålig stämning (bad atmosphere).
What does "soft" mean in Swedish?
Swedes use the English adjectives “nice,” “cool,” and, more surprisingly, “soft” a lot. Soft in Swedish, however, has little to do with sensations or materials, and more to do with a feeling of satisfaction, and good times in general: Jag ska till Mallis nästa vecka. (I’m going to Mallorca next week.) Gud va soft!
What does "smakar det s kostar det" mean?
Smakar det så kostar det is an expression meant to console you after you’ve decided to pay 6 dollars for a kanelbulle (cinnamon roll): good things in life will cost you, but it’s probably worth it. But the expression is also often muttered in a sarcastic way, that is, when you actually don’t think it’s worth the money.
Early birthday wake up
Yes, it’s true. If you’re in Sweden and it’s your birthday, chances are you can expect a cake at 6am, along with gifts, singing, and other annoying things you don’t want to deal with when you’re still half asleep. Sure, the kids love it but once you’re past a certain age the charm quickly wears off.
Numbering the year in weeks
It’s true: Swedes actually say things like, ‘Let’s book that in for week 32’, meaning you either have to do some quick counting in your head in order to figure out when that appointment will be or else buy a Swedish daily diary that numbers the weeks for you. Week 32, by the way, would be in August.
Drinking coffee at every opportunity
Swedes rank among the world’s biggest coffee drinkers so it’s not surprising that they’ll take any excuse to grab a cup of joe.
Never paying for a round
It’s true: a Swede will never, ever offer to buy a round, so don’t hold your breath waiting for it to happen, even if you’ve bought them a drink. Swedes are conditioned to think booze is wildly expensive in bars and restaurants so they buy their own drinks and no one else’s, thank you very much.
Drinking at home before going out
As a result of that ‘high-priced booze’ theory, many Swedes get liquored up before they ever leave the house. They invite their friends over, drink enough to get things rolling, then head out to a bar where they’ll buy a couple of drinks but not too many because they’ve already caught their buzz.
No small talk, please
Swedes don’t do small talk, full stop. In other cultures small talk is something of an art form but for Swedes it’s just a waste of words. Say what you want or need in as few words as possible, then move on.
Talking about money
On the other hand, when forced to actually make small talk Swedes generally will talk about money. They’ll ask you how much you make, what you paid for your house or car, or how much you spent on that snazzy new bag you’ve got slung over your shoulder.
Did Sweden help the Nazis?
Bringing up how Sweden helped the Nazis in World War II is always a big gamble. It's a major sore point, especially for those who are proud of being “at peace” for 200 years .
Is Swedish a muppet?
Swedish is a beautiful language, sing-songy and lovely, like a bird in a Midsummer meadow. It is not like a muppet with a big mouth and a careless hand in the kitchen. The Swedish Chef accepts an award. Photo: Jonas Ekströmer/TT. 3.
Do Swedish people say "hurdy"?
Swedes do not say hurdy and they most definitely don't say gurdy. Or anything like it, really. Besides helping Sweden edge its way past Norway on the international stage, the Swedish chef was nothing but a thorn in Swedes' sides. Swedish is a beautiful language, sing-songy and lovely, like a bird in a Midsummer meadow.
Thank you in Swedish, formal
Tack som fan! – Thanks (lit.) like the devil! (I know, sounds funny. Swedes use a lot of “devil” in their language. But more about that further below.)
Swedish word to say when someone sneezes
In Sweden isn’t considered impolite not to say anything when someone sneezes. Sometimes you hear someone saying the following:
What is standard Swedish?
Standard Swedish is spoken by pretty much all Swedes and most Swedish-speaking Finns. In Sweden, it’s called rikssvenska or standardsvenska (“Standard Swedish”) and högsvenska (“High Swedish”) for the Finnish variant in Finland.
What are some examples of Germanic words in Swedish?
Some example of Germanic words in Swedish include mus (“mouse”), kung (“king”), and gås (“goose”). A significant part of the religious and scientific vocabulary has Latin or Greek origins but was often borrowed from French and more recently, English.
What is the common gender in Swedish?
The common gender is the result of feminine and masculine genders having merged. However, in most Swedish dialects, all three genders (masculine, feminine, neuter) are still differentiated. Just like Norwegian, Swedish has a tone or pitch accent which gives the language a song-like rhythm to it.
How many consonants are there in Swedish?
Swedish has 20 consonants and 9 vowels which are a, e, i, o, u, y, å, ä, ö. The last three letters, Å, Ä, and Ö, are considered separate from A and O so while in English you might use the term “A – Z”, in Swedish it would be “A – Ö”. Here are the letters of the Swedish alphabet and their pronunciation. a (ah)
How many different dialects are there in Sweden?
In a traditional sense, there are six main groups of Swedish dialects which can be grouped as follows, Norrland dialects, Finland Swedish, Svealand dialects, Gotland dialects, Götaland dialects, and South Swedish dialects.
How many people speak Swedish?
Swedish, or Svenska, is spoken by over 10 million people. It is the national language of Sweden and the only official language of the Åland Islands, an autonomous region of Finland located in the Baltic Sea made up of around 6,700 islands.
What happened to the Swedish language in 1525?
After the Swedish revolt of Gustav I Vasa (King of Sweden) in 1525 against the Danes and their linguistic stronghold over the nation, dramatic changes to the Swedish pronunciation took place in a vigorous attempt to eliminate the Danish influence on the Swedish language.
Why don't people drink bottled water in Sweden?
Because the Swedes are so aware of the environment and cautious of pollution, you won't find many people drinking bottled water. Plastic water bottles make a lot of trash, so the Swedes prefer to drink water straight from the tap, which is safe to do and said to be delicious.
What is a fika?
Fika is a favorite daily tradition in Sweden, where Swedes get together for a social break of coffee, sweets, and friends. Most people try to do this once a day, so be ready to participate if you make some new friends. However, you will want to avoid ordering decaf, which is usually not available, and often isn't very good anyway.
Do Swedish people speak English?
English might be one of the most commonly spoken languages in the world, but don't expect to hear Swedes speaking English to each other. Although more than 80 percent of people in Sweden do speak English, you might still come across people who don't, so it's best to learn some basic Swedish phrases for common niceties.
Do you shove to the front of the line?
Don't Shove to the Front of the Line. Whenever you have to stand in line, never shove to the front. Although it's considered rude in most places, in Sweden it is especially shocking. The Swedes value patience, politeness, and waiting your turn, so take a number or your place at the back of the line.
Can you use animated body language in Sweden?
Don't Use Highly Animated Body Language. If you're not from Scandinavia, you might not be aware of how animated and loud you can be in a conversation. Being loud and flamboyant is the quickest way to irritate the locals in Sweden and you might even be gently reprimanded if your voice carries over to the next table.
Is it rude to insult Swedish beer?
No matter where you are, it's rude and obnoxious to talk about how anything is much better in your country, and in Sweden, definitely don' t insult the beer. Swedish beer tends to be much lighter, but avoid calling it watered-down. Swedish people happen to like it and if you don't, order something else.
Is Sweden environmentally friendly?
Johner Images / Getty Images. Sweden is an extremely environmentally conscious country, so littering and failing to recycle properly is extremely frowned upon. If you can't find a garbage can the moment you need one, just hold on to your trash until you can dispose of it properly. 12 of 15.
