10 Essential Swedish Words for Students in Sweden
If you’re planning to study in Sweden, you’re in for a unique experience. Nearly every Swede speaks English and is more than happy to use it, but learning a few basic Swedish words can enhance your time there and deepen your connection with the culture. While you could complete a full two-year program without speaking a word of Swedish, we encourage you to give it a try! Swedish is both beautiful and relatively easy to learn. Here are ten essential Swedish words to get you started.
1. Hej! / Hej då!
It doesn’t get simpler than this. “Hej” means “hello,” and “Hej då” means “goodbye.” Although “hej” is technically informal, Swedes use it in nearly every context. Whether you’re greeting classmates or meeting your professor, “hej” will be your go-to greeting.
2. Fika
Swedes are among the top coffee drinkers in the world, and they take their coffee breaks, or fika, very seriously. Fika isn’t just a coffee break—it’s a cultural institution. To fika means to have a short coffee break, usually with cookies or pastries, and you’re encouraged to take several each day. It’s both a noun and a verb, so you can say “Ska vi fika?” (Should we have a coffee break?) or “Ska vi ta en fika?” (Shall we have a coffee break?).
3. Lagom
When you study in Sweden, you’ll soon realize that Swedes value balance and simplicity. The word lagom embodies this cultural trait; it roughly translates to “just the right amount.” Whether discussing the weather, how much to eat, or how long to study, lagom is a word Swedes use constantly. For example, if someone asks how long your essay is, you could simply reply, “Lagom.”
4. Va’ fan?!
This phrase translates to “What the hell?” and uses fan, a word for the devil. You’ll hear “Va’ fan?!” quite a bit in casual settings. It’s a go-to expression for surprise or frustration and is a good one to recognize, even if you don’t use it yourself.
5. Semester
Unlike in English, semester in Swedish means “vacation” rather than a term or academic period. So if you hear students excitedly talking about semester, they’re looking forward to a break, not gearing up for finals! In Swedish, the academic semester is called termin.
6. Plugga
The Swedish word plugga is a slang term that means “to study.” If you need to spend a night studying for an upcoming exam, you can tell your friends, “Jag måste plugga!” or “I have to study!”
7. Oj!
Instead of lengthy apologies for minor mishaps like stepping on someone’s foot or spilling a drink, Swedes tend to say oj! It’s a simple, versatile exclamation that conveys surprise or minor regret and is polite enough for nearly any setting.
8. Öl
The word öl means “beer,” and to make things easy, the plural is the same. So whether you’re ordering one beer (en öl) or several (fem öl), you can stick to the same word. Fun fact: German students might find this funny because Öl means “oil” in German!
9. Tack
”Tack” means both “thank you” and “please,” depending on where you place it in a sentence. If you’re ordering a drink, you could say, “En öl, tack,” or “A beer, please.” You might then hear, “Varsågod,” meaning “Here you go,” to which you can reply with a simple “Tack!” to show your appreciation.
10. Skål!
This is likely to become your favorite Swedish word, especially when making new friends at university. “Skål!” translates to “Cheers!” and is a lively, inclusive toast you’ll hear often at social gatherings.
By learning these ten words, you’ll be better equipped to connect with Swedes, understand Swedish culture, and make your time in Sweden even more enjoyable. Lycka till! (Good luck!)
