FTP

En man i Norge fick en registreringsskylt med bokstavskombinationen FTP godkänd. Nu vill polisen att man ser över beslutet – på grund av förkortningens innebörd, skriver norska TV2. […] ”FTP är en välkänd jargong i kriminella miljöer som är en förkortning för ”Fuck The Police”.

2018 September 15, Malin Wigen, “Fick nummerplåt godkänd – nu vill polisen avlägsna den [Got License Plate Approved – Now Police Want to Remove It]”, in Aftonbladet:

A man in Norway got a license plate with the letter combination FTP approved. Now, the police want to review the decision due to the abbreviation's meaning, writes Norway's TV2. […] "FTP is a well-known slang in criminal circles that stands for "Fuck The Police."


fy

Fy!

Don't do that! / That thing you did was bad! (often towards a child or pet or the like)

Fy på dig!
Fie on you! ("You have acted in a bad way!", often towards a child or pet or the like – less dated-sounding in Swedish)

Fy så här stinker

Nämen fy så hemskt!

Fy fan vilken hemsk situation

shame, phew, fie; interjection expressing disapproval, disgust, or outrage


hell

From Old Swedish heel, from Old Norse heill (“good omen, luck”, literally “whole, healthy”). Doublet of hel.

inh

(archaic) hail (exclamation or greeting)


pip

From Old Norse *pípa, from Proto-Germanic *pīpaną.

Pip! Datorn pep.

"Pip!" sa musen och fågelungen

The mouse squeaked and the baby bird peeped


o

Så låt nu, o konung, härom utfärda ett förbud och sätta upp en skrivelse

Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing (Daniel 6:8)


shit

Shit! Vad är det där?

shit, wow, oh, oh my God, said when surprised or shocked


hut

Of imitative origin. Originally a call to stop, chase away, or silence dogs. Attested since 1645. Compare Middle High German hiuzen (“to call to pursuit”), English hoot.

onomatopoeic

imitative

cog

behave! (same as: du ska veta hut! = vet hut! = hut!)


yes

Yes, det stämmer

Yes! Där satt den! Rätt upp i krysset.
Yes! Nailed it! ["There (just now) it sat!" (where I wanted it – the goal in this case – also used more abstractly for "You've got it!" and the like) – colloquial] Straight into the top corner.


wow

Wow, vilken rökare!

Wow, what a rocket [hard shot, in soccer, ice hockey, or the like]!


suck

From Old Swedish sukker, from the root of the verb sucka (“to let out a sigh”).

suck och stön


sorry

Sorry, brevet låg i fel brevlåda. Råkade öppna.

Sorry, the letter was in the wrong letter box. Opened by mistake.

Det är svårt att sakna något här, så sorry resten av Malmö. Här finns allt.

2024 January 12, Max Wiman, “Sorry, resten av Malmö – på Limhamn finns allt [Sorry, the rest of Malmö - Limhamn has everything]”, in Sydsvenskan:

It's hard to miss something here, so sorry the rest of Malmö. Everything is here.

(informal, casual) sorry (expressing regret)


pass

Borrowed from French passe, from passer.

(games) pass (I refuse to bet or bid or play)


wallah

Borrowed from Arabic وَٱللّٰه (wal-lāh).

– Är det sant? – Wallah! Jag svär!
– Is that true? – Wallah! I swear!


tack

From Old Swedish þak, from Runic Swedish þakk, from Old Norse þǫkk, from Proto-Germanic *þankō, *þankaz. Cognates include English thank, German Dank, Danish tak and Norwegian Nynorsk takk/Norwegian Bokmål takk.

– Här är grejen du frågade efter. – Tack!
– Here's the thing you asked for. – Thank you!

Tack för hjälpen!

Thanks for the help! / Thanks for helping me out!

Tack för att du hämtade ungarna!

Tack för skjutsen!

Tack för att vi fick komma

Thank you for having us ("Thank you for that we were-allowed-to come")

Vi skulle vilja beställa, tack

Det blir hundra kronor, tack

Stå inte där, tack / är du snäll. Du är i vägen.
Don't stand there, please. You are in the way. (possibly somewhat rude still, like in English – "Ursäkta, skulle du kunna flytta dig lite så att vi kan komma förbi" (Excuse me, could you ["would you be able to," literally] move over a bit so we can get past) is politer)


ah

Ah, jag förstår

Ah, det är skönt att få glida ner i jacuzzin och knäcka en kall öl efter ett hårt arbetspass i skogen
Ah, it's nice [feels good] to slip ["get to slip" – redundant, but sounds natural] into the jacuzzi and crack open a cold beer after a session of hard work in the forest

Greven såg ut över sina ägor och tänkte "Ah, underbart!"

The count looked out over his lands ["ownings"] and thought, "Ah, wonderful!"

ah (expression of understanding, relaxation, contentment, etc.)


ha

Onomatopoeic. Compare Danish ha, Finnish häh, Dutch ha, hè, English ha, huh.

Ha? Vad sade du?


buss

buss på tjuven!

command to a dog to attack: get, bite, catch


kiss

A sound made to attract a cat; "Here, kitty, kitty!"


nix

Någon undrade om guldfonder, men nix sade Claes, alltför osäkert.

Someone asked about gold funds, but Claes said "nope, too risky".

– Är det någon vi känner? Frågade pappa. – Nix, svarade jag.

Dad asked "Is it someone we know?" "Nope", I answered.


fan

From Late Old Norse fendinn, perhaps from Old Frisian fandiand, present participle of fandia (“tempt”), from Proto-Germanic *fandōną (“seek, search for, examine”). Cognate with Danish fanden and Norwegian Bokmål faen.

der

Fan (också)! Jag glömde nycklarna.

(Va) fan!

Va fan?

Vad i självaste fan?

What in the ever-loving hell? (Literally, "What in the very devil himself?")

Det var då själva fan!

Oh for fuck's sake! (Roughly, "It was the devil himself!")

(swear word, sometimes followed by också or preceded by va or vad) damn (referring to the devil)


kom

Bertil, detta är Adam. Inväntar order. Kom.

Bravo, this is Alpha. Awaiting orders. Over.

(procedure word, radiocommunication) over


pax

Pax för soffan!

Jag fick pax på framsätet!

Jag har paxat fåtöljen

(childish) dibs (to claim a stake to something); used as a noun with the verbs få “get, receive” and ha “have”, or as a verb; att paxa.


ut

From Old Norse út, from Proto-Germanic *ūt.


lo

From Old Swedish lō, from Old Norse lóa, derived from or related to Proto-Germanic *luhsaz.

(slang) An intensifier put at the end of a sentence.


va

Va?

huh? what? A request that the speaker repeat their last statement, or an expression of disbelief. Contraction of vad.


bu

säga varken bu eller bä

say neither this nor that (not express an opinion)

Bu! Blev du rädd?

boo; a loud exclamation intended to scare someone, usually a child.

boo; an exclamation used to indicate derision or disapproval of what has just occurred.


Adam

From Hebrew אָדָם (adam, “earth, man, soil, light brown”).

The letter "A" in the Swedish spelling alphabet


Peter

From Old Norse Pétr, from Latin Petrus, from Ancient Greek Πέτρος (Pétros), from πέτρος (pétros, “stone, rock”), related to πέτρα (pétra). Later reinforced by the German Peter.

The letter "P" in the Swedish spelling alphabet


prosit

Borrowed from Latin prōsit (“may it be good”), the third-person singular present active subjunctive of prōsum (“be good”)

bor+

bless you! (said to someone who has just sneezed or yawned)


David

From Vulgate Latin David, ultimately of Hebrew origin. First recorded as a given name in Sweden in runes around 1200.

The letter "D" in the Swedish spelling alphabet


mors

Possibly an alteration of morgon (“morning”), or from Tavringer Romani mus, muss, musij, mossj, måssj (“man, person”), from Romani murś (“man”). Related to Sanskrit मनुष्य (manuṣya, “man”). Compare English mush.


jo

From Old Swedish iū, from Old Norse jaur.

Du har inte borstat tänderna, eller hur? - Jo, det har jag.

You haven't brushed your teeth, have you? - Yes, I have.

yes; used as a disagreement to a negative statement or a negatively phrased question.

– Är det du som är han? – Jo, det är jag.
– Are you that guy? – Yep, that's me.

yes (more generally, in a similar vein to jodå – see its usage notes)

Jo(ooo)! Nu kom jag på hur man löser pusslet.

O(ooo)h! I figured out how to solve the puzzle now.

(with an excited, rising tone) Expresses having an insight; oh

Jo, det är så att det är en grej som jag måste berätta för er

So, there is something that I have to tell you ("So, it is such that there is a thing that I have to tell you," with some common stalling wording)


tut

Tut, tut, flytta på dig
Honk, honk, move over


dunk

Dunk! Dunk! Dunk!

Oontz! Oontz! Oontz!


Johan

From Old Swedish Iohan or short form of Johannes (“John”). First recorded in Sweden in runes in the 11th century.

The letter "J" in the Swedish spelling alphabet


fitta

At least used since the early 16th century and probably much older. Of disputed origin: possibly related to Old Norse fita (“greasy fluid, fat”) or Old Norse fit (“meadowy plain adjacent to lake, wet grassland”) or Old Norse fitje (“rift in rock, cliff”). Most likely related to, if not derived from, the equivalent Old Norse fuð (“cunt, vagina, vulva”). Akin to: Norwegian fitte, Danish fisse, German Fotze, Scots fud, Finnish vittu, Estonian vitt.


halt

halt! (stop!) (during a march, or more generally)


kuk

→ Norwegian Bokmål: kuk

From Old Norse kokkr, from Proto-Germanic *kukkaz. Cognate with English cock.


och

From Old Swedish ock, ok, from Old Norse ok, unstressed variant of Proto-Germanic *auk (“also”). Cognate with Norwegian and Danish og, Dutch ook, German auch, and English eke. The unusual spelling with the digraph ch may have been to avoid confusion with the now dated ock (“too, also”).

"Du parkerar din bil framför mitt hus varje morgon." — "Och?"

"You park your car in front of my house every morning." — "So?"


smurf

Borrowed from Dutch smurf, from French schtroumpf.


palla

Affix of pall + -ar, from stå pall (“stand firm”). Borrowed from Dutch pal staan, from Low German pall staan.
Interjection sense possibly an ellipsis of the negative pallar inte ("do not have energy/stamina/will").

– Ska vi gå på bio?– Palla!
– Shall we go and watch a movie?– I don't have enough energy! / – I can't be bothered to!

(colloquial, can be seen as rude) to not have enough strength, will or stamina; to not be bothered to


hej

Derived from Old Norse hei, likely from Low German hei or German hei. First attested in 1541.

Jag sa hej till din bror i mataffären igår.

I said hi to your brother at the super market yesterday.

Hej hej.

Hej, mitt vinterland, nu är jag här. Nu biter frosten i min kind, ty kall är kvällen. Hej, mitt vinterland, se månen där. Den lyser kyligt trind / kring [differs between versions] på mörka himlapällen. Bjällrans klang friden stör, när vi genom skogen kör. Bofink uti grannens topp, förlåt att vi väckte dig opp. Hej, mitt vinterland, nu är jag här. Och vinter ["vintern" (definite) in some versions], håll i dig / på vinterholiday [possibly the original lyrics, then misunderstood or changed], nu blinkar stugans ljus mot mig, i mitt vita vinterland.

1960, Britt Lindeborg (lyrics and music), “Hej, mitt vinterland [Hey [or "hi / hello"], my winterland]”, in Julefrid med Carola [Christmas peace / serenity with Carola], performed by Carola:

Hey [or "hi / hello"], my winterland, now I am here. Now the frost bites my cheek, for the evening is cold. Hey, my winterland, look at the moon there. It shines cool and plump / coolly around ["coolly round/plump / around" – differs between versions] in the dark canopy of the sky. The sound of the [jingle] bell disturbs the peace as we ride [drive] through the forest. Chaffinch at [in] the top of the spruce, we're sorry for waking you up [sorry for that we woke you up]. Hey, my winterland, now I am here. And winter, brace yourself / on winter holiday [ad hoc], now the [Christmas, probably] lights of the cottage twinkle ["blink" – tindra (“twinkle”) is less common for electric lights in Swedish] at [toward] me, in my white winterland.

Vi syns, hej.

Hej hej.

Hej vad det går!

"Hey how it (stuff, like a party) goes!"

Sommartider, hej, hej, sommartider. Ge mig din hunger, ge mig din hand. Ge mig allt du vill och allt du kan. Sommartider, hej, hej, sommartider. Läppar mot läppar som tar mig i land. Som ger sommartider till varann.

1982, Gyllene Tider (lyrics and music), “Sommartider [Summer times]”:

Summer times, hey, hey, summer times. Give me your hunger, give me your hand. Give me everything that you want and everything that you can. Summer times, hey, hey, summer times. Lips against lips, that take me ashore. That give summer times to each other.

An expression of intensity (in some expressions); hey

Hej och hå
Hey ho


sjutton

From Old Swedish siutan‚ siuttān, from Old Norse sjaután, from Proto-Germanic *sebuntehun.

Det kliade i halsen. Höll han på att bli förkyld? Ena handen flög upp till pannan och nog sjutton hade han feber. Förbannat.

2006, Mari Jungstedt, Den döende dandyn; translated as Tiina Nunnally, transl., The Killer's Art, 2010:

His throat felt scratchy. Was he coming down with a cold? He pressed his hand to his forehead. Damned if he didn't have a fever. Shit.

(euphemistic) Used in place of various taboo words.


ingen orsak

Literally, “no cause”. Similar to Faroese eingin orsøk, Norwegian Nynorsk inga årsak, Norwegian Bokmål ingen årsak and Danish ingen årsag.

it's nothing (response to a “thank you”)


men hallå

(sarcastic) hello. Indicates that something foolish has been going on.


god middag

good day; used in the middle of the day (at about lunch time)


hallå

From the imperative of Middle High German haln (“fetch”), from Old High German holōn, from Proto-West Germanic *holōn. Comparable to modern German hallo, Spanish hola.


god morgon

gomorron (alternative)
gomorn (alternative)
morron (alternative)


aj

I fjol så gick jag med herrarna i hagen. Ja, ja, med herrarna i hagen. Ja, med herrarna i hagen. I år har jag något som sparkar i magen. Aj, aj, som sparkar i magen. Aj, som sparkar i magen.

(Can we date this quote?), traditional (lyrics and music), “I fjol så gick jag med herrarna i hagen [Last year I went with the men in the pasture]”, in Skillingtryck [Broadside ballads], performed by Hootenanny Singers:

Last year I went with the men in the pasture. Yes, yes, with the men in the pasture. Yes, with the men in the pasture. This year I have something that kicks in my belly. Ow, ow, that kicks in my belly. Ow, that kicks in my belly.

ow, ouch; expression of one’s own pain, or sympathy with someone else’s.

aye; yea; a word expressing assent, for example in nautical contexts.


haha

Haha, skrattade hon


jävlar

Related to jävel and Norwegian jævla. Probably a relatively newer curse word, because no other Scandinavian language has it in the same way of use (except when it is humorously used as an unadapted borrowing in Norwegian).

Jävlar också!

(swear word, sometimes followed by också) damn, damnit


helvete

From Old Swedish hælvīte, from Old Norse helvíti, from hel (itself from Proto-Germanic *haljō, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *ḱel- (“to cover, hide, conceal”)) + víti. In old Norse mythology, the god Loke had a daughter called Hel, who ruled the death realm, Niefelheim. Helvete is a combination of her name and the Old Norse word víti, meaning "punishment". Helvete thus means, the punishment of Hel. Compare Norwegian Bokmål helvete, Norwegian Nynorsk helvete, Danish helvede, Icelandic helvíti.

der

Helvete!

Helvetes jävla skit!

vägen till helvetet är kantad av goda föresatser


snark

Snark!


nämen

Contraction of nä, pronunciational spelling of nej (“no”), and men (“but”).

Nämen, är du här?

Expresses strong surprise, often positive

Used at the beginning of answers to any question.


Wilhelm

The letter "W" (double-u) in the Swedish spelling alphabet


jaja

Reduplication of ja. "Yeah yeah" should provide better intuition than "yes yes."

Jaja, okej då, du får en häst

Yeah yeah, alright, I'll buy you a horse

Jaja, vi har inte tid att snacka mer. Nu åker vi!

But whatever, we don't have time for any more chit-chat. Let's go!

Expresses impatience or irritation or the like.

(with the first "ja" emphasized) aah (I see)


välkommen

/²vɛːlˌkɔmːɛn/

Equivalent to väl + kommen. Cognate with Danish and Norwegian velkommen (“welcome”), and Icelandic velkomin (“welcome”).


Tore

The letter "T" in the Swedish spelling alphabet


satan

Satan också!

Sluta föra sånt satans oväsen!

Spelet är svårt som satan

(vulgar) Used to express anger, irritation, disappointment, annoyance, contempt, etc. A swear word.


vasa

huh? what did you say? contraction of vad sade du/ni


app

App app app – den där får du inte äta. Den är till festen imorgon.
App app app – you can't eat that one. It's for the party tomorrow.

Expresses reproach; "Hey, don't do that!"


bre

Borrowed from Serbo-Croatian bre. Compare German Bre.

Sho bre!
Sup bro!

Det här spelet är fett svårt bre

This game is super difficult, I'm telling you

(slang) Emphasizes a statement or question.


ofta

Perhaps an ironic reversal of sällan (“seldom, no way”).

– Jag kan gå på händer runt huset. – Ofta.
– I can walk on my hands around the house. – Yeah, right.

Ofta att du kan gå på händer runt huset

Yeah right, as if you can walk on your hands around the house

Ofta! Du klarade det!

(slang) Expresses skepticism or surprise (incredulity).


ey

Perhaps borrowed from Turkish ey (vocative article).

Ey, mannen, vi gittar!

(slang) Used to call someone's attention.


Erik

The letter "E" in the Swedish spelling alphabet


skit

From Old Norse skítr, from Proto-Germanic *skītaz, *skitiz. Cognate with Danish skid, Icelandic skítur, Dutch schijt, German Scheiße and English shit.

Det kommer regna. Skit också!

Jävla skit!

(colloquial, vulgar, sometimes followed by också) shit, damnit


nå

well? (encouragement to actually provide an answer or reaction to a question)

Nå, vi kan alltid gå istället.

well (used to acknowledge a statement or situation)


ve

From Old Swedish ve, from Old Norse vei, væ, from Proto-Germanic *wai, from Proto-Indo-European *wai.
Cognate with Danish ve, Icelandic vei, Old Saxon and Middle High German wê, German weh, Dutch wee, Old English wá, English woe, and also Latin vae. The interjection is original in Old Swedish. The noun might have appeared from that interjection or by loan from Middle Low German.

ve dig!

ack och ve!


tyst

From Old Swedish þyster, from Proto-Germanic *þusiþaz. Cognate with Sanskrit तूष्णीम् (tūṣṇī́m, “silent”) and Russian тихий (tíxij, “quiet”).


Viktor

From Latin Victor. First recorded as a Swedish given name in 1640 as Victor.

The letter "V" in the Swedish spelling alphabet


orka

From Old Swedish orka, from Old Norse orka, from Proto-Germanic *wurkijaną (English work), from Proto-Indo-European *wṛǵ-·.

– Ta ut soporna, är du snäll. – Orka!
– Take out the trash, please. – I can't be arsed! / It's too much work!

(colloquial) Expresses unwillingness to do or deal with something (taxing).


adjö

(chiefly solemn or ironic when fully pronounced) goodbye


förlåt

The interjection is from the imperative of förlåta. Literally, “forgive!”

Jag menade inte att såra dig. Förlåt!

I'm sorry (when apologizing for having acted in a (morally) bad way)


schack

→ Finnish: shakki, šakki

From German Schach, from Middle High German schāch, from Latin scaccī, from Arabic شَاه (šāh), from Persian شاه (šâh, “king”), related to shah. Doublet of shah.

check; a claim used in chess to notify the opponent that his/her king is threatened.


inshallah

Borrowed from Arabic إِنْ شَاءَ ٱللَٰه (ʔin šāʔa llāh, literally “if God has willed [it]”).

bor+

إِنْ شَاءَ ٱللَٰه


osa

om svar anhålles
om svar anhålles#Swedish

Abbreviation of om svar anhålles (“RSVP”).


pust

Pust, jag är helt slut


öka

From Old Swedish ø̄ka, from Old Norse auka, from Proto-Germanic *aukaną, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂ewg-. Akin to English eke, Danish øge, Gothic 𐌰𐌿𐌺𐌰𐌽 (aukan), Latin augeō.


baj

From the West Bothnia and East Gothland dialectal word baj (“filth”). According to Rietz, possibly related to Middle High German baht.

Fy baj, lilla Maja!

1846, Johan August Lundell, Om rättstafningsfrågan. Tre föreläsningar.:

(obsolete, 18–19th century) chastening of children when they dirtied themselves, or exhibited bad behavior

(obsolete, 19th century) warning for children to watch out for something filthy, uncomfortable, or shameful

Baj baj, så Herr Rolf talar!

1820, Carl Israel Hallman, C. I. Hallmans Skrifter:

"Usch, fy baj! Ricinolja!" ropades i korus omkring bordet.

1896, Eugenie Beskow-Heerberger, För svenska barn : sagor och berättelser:

Yuk, disgusting! Castor oil!" they shouted in chorus around the table.

(jokingly, obsolete, 19th century) more generally showing dislike or disgust of indiscretion, vulgarity, or shameful behaviour


puh

Puh vad jobbigt det är att bära ved
Phew, carrying firewood is hard work

Puh, vi hann fram i tid!


Filip

Ancient Greek origin. First recorded as a given name in Sweden in 1581 as Philip.

The letter "F" in the Swedish spelling alphabet; not to be confused with "P" (due to the alternative spelling Philip)


plums

Mimics the sound of something falling heavily into water.


Åke

From Old Norse Áki, diminutive of Proto-Norse *ᚨᚾᚢᛉ (*anuʀ, “ancestor”) (as in the first part of the name Olaf). By folk etymology sometimes associated with Swedish åka (“ride”), as in Åke-Tor, an epithet of the thunder god Thor. Formerly an eastern Danish name (in what is now southern Sweden) restricted to the gentry. Cognate with Danish and Norwegian Aage, Åge.

The letter "Å" in the Swedish spelling alphabet

alpha

aa; international; spelling of the digraph


.jo

Compound of . (“symbol for inhalation”) + jo (“yes; acknowledgement”). Introduced in 2009 by the Swedish linguistics magazine Språktidningen as a suggestion for spelling the North Swedish dialectal interjection /ɕʉː↓/ using conventional means, based on a method from conversation analysis.

com+

inte sitter still
har sönder rutor glas men
.jo
man vänjer oss vid allt

2022, Merima Dizdarević, Långt från ögat långt från hjärtat (poem), →ISBN, page 80:

not sitting still
has broken windows glass but
yes
they get us used to everything

(Northern dialect, neologism spelling) yep, yup (affirmative answer)


Gustav

From Old Swedish Gøtstaf, from Old Norse Gautr (“Geats”) + stafr (“staff”), or maybe from Slavic (compare Old Polish Gościsław, Goscław, Czech Hostislav), from Proto-Slavic *Gostislavъ, from *gostь (“guest”) + *slava (“glory”). First recorded as Swedish given name in 1521.

The letter "G" in the Swedish spelling alphabet


kryss

From Middle Low German krü̂ze, from Old Saxon krūci; ultimately from Latin crux.
Sense 5 from the 1-X-2 (Home-Tie-Away) system commonly found on Swedish betting coupons.

The letter "X" in the Swedish spelling alphabet; an alternative spelling word for Xerxes


skit ner dig

(idiomatic, vulgar) go fuck yourself (literally, "shit your pants")


skål

From Old Norse skál, from Proto-Germanic *skēlō.


Sigurd

The letter "S" in the Swedish spelling alphabet


otur

Otur!


nja

Blend of nej (“no”), and ja (“yes”). Compare German jein.

Used to give a hesitant or uncertain answer or (dis)agreement; neither yes nor no; both yes and no; "well …", leaning slightly towards the negative.


tja

From tjena, in turn a clipping of tjenare, variant of tjänare.

– Tja!, säger Hampus och Andreas och stannar precis framför oss.

– Hi!, say Hampus and Andreas and stop just in front of us.


tja

Sedan dess hade hon juridiskt betraktats som… tja, knäpp.

2015, Stieg Larsson, Män som hatar kvinnor:

Since then she had been legally regarded as… well, crazy.

an expression of doubt and uncertainty; well


jojo

Jojo, så går det när man vägrar planera i förväg

Yup, that's what happens when you refuse to plan ahead

Jojo, jag tror faktiskt maskinen skulle fungera utmärkt, men den är onödig även om den fungerar

I agree. I actually think the machine would work great. But it's unnecessary even if it works.

Expresses that one (contrary to what the other person thinks) agrees (but has other objections).

Jojo, det kunde man inte tro om honom

I see, would never have guessed that about him

Expresses slight bewilderment at learning something.


sho

Perhaps borrowed from Serbo-Croatian ćao.


sällan

From Old Swedish siäldan, säldan, siällan, from Old Norse sjaldan, Proto-Germanic *seldanē.


oj

oh, wow, gosh (expresses surprise, at something positive or negative)

ow (expresses physical or mental pain or compassion)


synd

From Old Norse synd, from Proto-Germanic *sundijō; compare Old English synn (modern English sin).


asg

(Internet slang, text messaging) lol, LMAO, rofl (abbreviation of asgarv (“uproarious laugh”) or asgarvar (“laughing my head off”))


aja

Aja, det får duga

Vi borde kanske packat ner ett paket strumpor till, men aja, nu måste vi åka

Maybe we should've packed another pack of socks, but oh well, we have to go now

Indicates (mild) resignation and wanting to move on from a subject; oh well


mums

Mums!
Yum!

Det här är mums!

Det här smakar mums!


mä

Any number of ä letters can be added to show the length of the bleat


varsågod

[vɑːʂɔˈɡuː(d)]

From var (“be”, imperative of vara) + så (“so”) + god (“good”).

compound

imperative of <i class="Latn mention" lang="sv">vara</i>

here you are, there you are (said when handing something over to someone)

it’s nothing (response to a “thank you”)

Var så god och sitt.

Varsågoda och ta för er av smörgåsbordet.

Please, help yourselves to the smorgasbord.

(somewhat formal) please (used to introduce an offer)


voff

"VOFF, VOFF!" skällde hunden
"WOOF, WOOF!" the dog barked


Olof

From Old Swedish Olāver, Olēf, from Old Norse Óláfr, from Proto-Norse *ᚨᚾᚢᛚᚨᛁᛒᚨᛉ (*anulaibaʀ). First recorded as a given name in Sweden in 1400. Cognate with Norwegian Olav and English Olaf.

The letter "O" in the Swedish spelling alphabet


äh

eh, meh (expression of mild annoyance, frustration, or boredom)


Kalle

Affix of the first letters in Karl, based on the non-rhotic pronunciation, Kal + (gemination) l + (hypocoristic suffix) -e.
Compare with Swedish male given name hypocoristic forming.

af

The letter "K" in the Swedish spelling alphabet


spela roll

"Jag mötte ditt ex på stan igår..." — "Spela roll! Det är slut i vilket fall."

"I met your ex downtown yesterday..." — "I couldn't care less! (literally, "Matter!") It's over anyhow."

(slang) Couldn't care less!, That has absolutely no importance whatsoever!


Rudolf

The letter "R" in the Swedish spelling alphabet


Ludvig

The letter "L" in the Swedish spelling alphabet


Helge

The letter "H" in the Swedish spelling alphabet (since 1960; previously Harald)


Yngve

The letter "Y" in the Swedish spelling alphabet


Ivar

The letter "I" in the Swedish spelling alphabet


Bertil

Medieval equivalent of modern German Berthold, from Germanic berht "bright" + wald "rule". First recorded as a Swedish given name in 1396.

The letter "B" in the Swedish spelling alphabet


topp

Borrowed from French tope, from the verb toper.


punkt

From Latin pūnctum through Old Norse punktr.


därför

From Old Swedish þær for, equivalent to där + för. Compare English therefore, Danish derfor, German dafür.

Varför? - Därför (att jag säger det)! Sluta tjata nu!

Why? - Because (I say so)! Now stop nagging!


Östen

From Old Norse Eysteinn (compare Norwegian Øystein), from ey (“luck”) + steinn (“stone”).

The letter "Ö" in the Swedish spelling alphabet

Oscar-echo

oe; international; spelling of the digraph


alltså

Borrowed from Low German also. Compare allt and så. Cognate to Norwegian altså and altso.

Alltså! Datorn funkar inte igen.

(colloquial) An expression of exasperation.

Alltså... jag kan höra henne snarka genom väggen

I mean, wow... I can hear her snoring through the wall

(colloquial) An expression of disbelief.


usch

Of imitative origin, similar to other interjections like äsch, husch, isch, uschiamej, uschianemej.

onomatopoeic

imitative


lakk

Lakk bror, det är fett kefft att göra så
Alltså bror, det är fett kefft att göra så ("(Filler) bro, that's a really shitty thing to do")

(slang) Synonym of alltså (in filler sense)


grattis

Attested from 1934. Clipping of gratulerar + -is.

Grattis till segern.

Grattis på födelsedagen!


hjälp

From Old Swedish hiælp, from Old Norse hjalp, hjǫlp.


röv

From Old Norse rauf (“gap, rift, hole”), cognate with Danish røv.

Röv! Det visste ju jag!

2022 February 25, 23:52 from the start, in På spåret, season 32, episode 13 (television production), spoken by Cecilia Düringer:

(mildly vulgar) Expressing anger, irritation, contempt, or disappointment.


ursäkta

From Old Swedish ursækta, from ursækt, equivalent to ursäkt + -a.

Ursäkta, skulle vi kunna få lite mer kebabsås?

Excuse me, could we have some more kebab sauce?

Ursäkta, men jag hörde inte riktigt

Ursäkta att jag stör, men skulle jag kunna ställa en fråga?

I'm sorry to interrupt / bother you, but could I ask you a question?


ofan

(colloquial) Expresses surprise and interest.


tjo

Tjo vad det går!

(colloquial) An expression of joy or intensity or the like; woo, woohoo


vov

"VOV, VOV!" skällde hunden
"WOOF, WOOF!" the dog barked


ack

From Old Swedish akh, from Middle Low German ach (“an unhappy interjection”).

der

Ack och ve!

Ack Värmeland, du sköna, du härliga land! Du krona bland Svea rikes länder. Och komme jag än mitt i det förlovade land, till Värmland jag ändock återvänder.

1822, “Ack Värmeland, du sköna (Värmlandsvisan) [Oh Värmland, you fair (The Värmland song / Song of Värmland)]”, Anders Fryxell, Fredrik August Dahlgren (lyrics), traditional (music)performed by Värmlands Nations Kör:

Oh Värmland, you fair [or "thou fair," to pair with "fair" and the general tone], you glorious land! You crown among the lands of the Kingdom of Sweden ["Swedes' [a tribe] kingdom" – solemn or poetic]. And were I even to come [subjunctive of komma (“come”), with "even/yet" from "än"] in the middle of the promised land, to Värmland I still return.

alas, oh (exclamation of sorrow, awe, etc. – being moved by emotion)


pling

Pling! Maten i mikron var klar.

Ding! The food in the microwave was ready.

represents a ding or a ringing sound (often with a high and clear tone)


joho

(colloquial) yuh-uh (as a reply to nähä (“nuh-uh”))


tusan

From Old Swedish tusan(d) (“thousand”), using a thousand of something (e.g. little devils) as an emphasis. See tusen.

Vem tusan är Arvid Falk?
Who the hell is Arvid Falk?


hurra

Of uncertain origin, perhaps borrowed from German hurren (“to hasten”); see hurra.


shit pommes frites

/ˈɕɪtː pɔmˈfrɪtː/

From the loan interjection shit, with the same basic meaning as in English, and pommes frites (“French fries”). The combination is based on the fact that the terms form a short rhyme.

Shit pommes frites! Vilken stor glass!

(colloquial) An expression of amazement or surprise.


tänk

Tänk så stor han har blivit


vars

Clipping of bevars, itself a contraction of (Gud) bevare oss (”may God save us”), from the present subjunctive of bevara (“to save, to keep”), and oss (“us”).

’Och?’ undrade den gamle mannen. ’Har du förstått ett och annat då?’ ’Jo vars’, sa Jonathan.

2012, Guus Kuijer, “Konsten är ett annat sätt att förstå”, in Jacob Roël, transl., Svenska Dagbladet:

’And?’ the old man wondered. ’Have you understood a thing or two then?’ ’Yep, certainly’, Jonathan said.

(colloquial) Added to an answering interjection (mainly jo) to make it more emphatic.


kors i taket

Kors i taket! Är du ur sängen innan lunch, på en lördag?

Oh my gosh! Are you out of bed before lunchtime? On a Saturday?

An expression of utter surprise and startlement, usually about pleasant surprises but may very well carry an air of sarcasm or irony.


schack matt

checkmate; word called out by the victor when making the conclusive move.


attjo

(onomatopoeia) the sound of a sneeze; achoo


öh

Öh! Sluta upp med det där!

hey (when trying to get someone's attention)


välkomna

The verb is derived from the adjective välkommen + -a

welcome (greeting given upon the arrival of multiple people at once)


för helvete

Skynda dig, för helvete!

(vulgar) (God) damn it!, for fuck's sake (Literally: For hell!)


vart någonstans

– I morgon flyttar Tomas.

– Vart någonstans?

– Till Göteborg.
– Tomorrow Tomas moves.
– To where?
– To Gothenburg.

to where?; used to ask for clarifications or specification on to where something is moving


var någonstans

– Vet du var (någonstans) Tomas bor?.
– Do you know where Tomas lives?

where?; used to ask for clarifications or specification on where something is located or where something happens


äntligen

/ˈɛŋkˌlɪ(ɡ)ɛn/

From Middle Low German endeliken, from ende, equivalent to ändlig + -en. Cognate with Danish endelig, Norwegian Bokmål endelig, Norwegian Nynorsk endeleg, German endlich, Dutch eindelijk and English endly.

finally! (Used to express sudden pleasure, joy, or great excitement in regard to an announcement or a message.)


bä

Fåret och geten säger bä

Bä, bä, vita [sic] lamm ....
Baa, baa, black sheep ...

(onomatopoeia) baa (cry of sheep or goat)


tyvärr

Contraction of ty värr 'the worse', from Old Swedish thy vær, from Old Norse því verr. Compare Danish desværre and Norwegian diverre, Icelandic því miður.

Är han här?
(nej)Tyvärr.

Is he here?


apport

From French apporte, the second-person singular imperative of French apporter, itself from Latin apporto. Compare German Apport.


jalla

bor

Arabic يَاٱللَّٰه (yāllāh)

Jalla, mannen! De stänger snart.


vi hörs

(when followed by senare (“later”) or snart (“soon”)) I'll talk to you later/soon


mög

From Old Norse mykr, myki. Cognate with Danish møg.


sablar

Sablar också!

(sometimes followed by också) darn it, drat (a mild and fairly quaint expletive)


yani

(slang) that is to say, that is, so, I mean, you know


osis

Osis!


järnvägars

to heck, a mild curse, a way to correct oneself after uttering the first half of jävlar


tjänare

* (interjection sense) Ellipsis of mjuka tjänare, in turn clipping of ödmjuka tjänare (“humble servant”), from phrases such as jag är eder ödmjuka tjänare (”I am your humble servant”) etc. Compare German servus and Italian ciao.
* (noun sense) From tjäna (“to serve”) + -are (“-er”).

clipping

–Tjänare, Jerker, sade Sotare-Olle, varsågo å sitt på våra bord å bänkar, ta för dej en skorpa å ät dej mätt, de ä Dalman som bjuder, å eftersom man får’et gratis, så får de väl duga!

– Hi there, Jerker, said Sotare-Olle, go ahead and have a seat on our tables and benches, have a rusk to eat, Dalman is offering, and since it’s for free, it’s good enough!

– Tjänare, förlåt att jag stör dej i semesterupptakten.

– Hi, I’m sorry to bother you right in the beginning of holidays.

(colloquial) hey, yo (a colloquial greeting)


tackar

thanks! (short for "man tackar," "jag tackar," or the like)


visst

– Har du tid att hjälpa mig lite snabbt? – Visst, inga problem!
– Do you have time to give me a quick hand? – Sure, no problem!


uppfattat

The interjection is derived from the adjective.


fallera

From fa and la in solmization (do, re, mi, fa, so, la, ti).

När nätterna blir långa och kölden sätter in, tar mamma mus och samlar hela barnaskaran sin. Hon visar sen på fällan: "Akta er för den, så får vi allesammans fira jul igen." Hejsan hoppsan, fallerallera, när julen kommer ska varenda unge vara gla' [glad]! Hejsan hoppsan, fallerallera, när julen kommer ska varenda unge vara gla' [glad]!

1946, “Mössens julafton (När nätterna blir långa) [The mice's Christmas Eve (When the nights get long)]”, Ulf Peder Olrog (lyrics), Alf Prøysen (music):

When the nights get long and the cold sets in, then mother mouse goes and gathers her whole group of children. She then points [directs, more generally] to the trap: "Beware of that one, and we will all get to celebrate Christmas again." Hidy howdy, fallerallera, when [the] Christmas comes, every kid should be happy! Hidy howdy, fallerallera, when [the] Christmas comes, every kid should be happy!


åh

From Old Norse ó, which was used in the same way as åh is today.


hursa

huh? what did you say? contraction of hur sade du/ni


god fortsättning

a greeting phrase, literally "good continuation", meaning either:

the continuation of (Merry) Christmas; useful December 25 to December 30, or

the continuation of the (Happy) New Year; useful January 2 to approximately January 7 (Epiphany, Twelfth Night)


nåja

Nåja, det får duga

– Det gick jättedåligt! – Nåja, så dåligt gick det inte.
– It went super poorly! – Meh, it didn't go that poorly.


skäms

shame on you (you should be ashamed of yourself)


dra åt helvete

dra (“go”) + åt (“to(wards)”) + helvete (“hell”). Compare Norwegian Nynorsk dra til helvete and Danish gå ad helvede til.

af

(idiomatic, offensive) fuck off, go to hell


grymt

Vad säger grisen om djurplågeri? Grymt!
What does the pig say about animal cruelty? Grunt! / Cruel! (pun – see grym (“cruel”))


gött

Originally a western Swedish pronunciation of gott (“good, well”) (neuter form of god), with western Swedish vowel fronting /ɔ/ > /œ/, sometimes represented with a circumflex ⟨ô⟩, compare gör-, knö, and tjöta. It has since spread to other parts of Sweden and often has a slightly different usage than gott.

(chiefly Western Sweden, colloquial) nice!


käft

From Old Swedish kiæpter, from Old Norse kjaptr. Cognate with Danish kæft, Norwegian kjeft, Icelandic kjaftur, and Faroese kjaftur.


attans

Attans också!

Attans bananer!


heja

Heja Sverige!


hojt

Compare hoj, hojta, Dutch hoi, and English hoy.

(colloquial, regional, Hälsingland) An enthusiastic greeting.


jao

Abow, aina igen, jao!

2024 March 14, chapter 2 (22:52 from the start), in IFS – invandrare för svenskar, season 3, spoken by Orhan Bicen, Sveriges Television:

(slang) yo (an emphatic conclusion to a statement)


kvitt

"Kvitt kvitt!" kvittrar fågeln
"Tweet tweet!" tweets the bird


herregud

Herregud så här ser ut!

Festen var tråkig, men herregud vilken söt hund de hade

The party was boring, but my God, their dog was so cute


nähä

– Nähä! – Joho!
– Nuh-uh! – Yuh-uh!

(colloquial) nuh-uh (together with joho (“yuh-uh”))

– Du får inte gå ut ikväll. – Nähä, det var trist.
– You can't go out tonight. – Alright, that's disappointing.

Nähäää, så det kan alltså inte varit han som gjorde det.

Ohhh, so it can't actually have been he who did it. (with a surprised tone, or somewhat sullen-sounding otherwise)

(colloquial) aha, I see, oh, OK (for something expressed in the negative or a contradicting piece of information)

– 1 + 1 är 3. – Nähä, det är det inte alls.
– 1 + 1 equals 3. – Nope, it doesn't at all.

– Du har snott sprit ur skåpet. – Nähä, det har jag inte alls gjort!
– You've stolen booze from the cupboard. – No, I haven't done that at all!

(colloquial) no (expressing disagreement or denial)

– Jag såg en kändis igår. – Nähä? Vem då?
– I saw a celebrity yesterday. – Really? Who?

– Det är onyttigt att dricka blekmedel. – Nähä?
– Drinking bleach is unhealthy. – Really?

common sarcastic usage for things considered obvious

(colloquial, as a question) is that so?, really? (expressing surprise and some skepticism)


jaså

Jaså? Det hade jag inte trott om honom.

Oh? Would never have guessed that about him.

Expression of mild surprise (upon learning something); oh, really

jasså

not in SAOL, SO, SAOB, but common due to matching the pronunciation


jaha

Jaha, det visste jag inte

Jaha, då var det slut med honom

Alright, that's it for him then [could also be acknowledging the situation rather than replying to someone here, like the filler sense]

Jaha, och?
Alright, and?

Expression of understanding; aha, OK, alright

Jaha, nu är det definitivt dags att rengöra akvariet

Alright/well, now it's definitely time to clean the aquarium

Jaha, vad ska vi göra idag då?

alright, well (as a filler, acknowledging some internal realization, roughly)

Jaha ja, så här är ni. Ska inte ni vara i skolan?

Well well, so you're here. Shouldn't you be in school?

(when followed by "ja") Expresses (disapproving) interest at learning something.


blä

yuck, bleh (expresses disgust or dislike)


japp

(informal) yep, yup (affirmative answer)


tjena

Clipping of tjenare, a variant of tjänare.

Tjena kompis!

Hon gick ut till brevlådan och hämtade tidningen och därute kom Challe förbijoggande och ropade: Tjena!

She went out to the mailbox and picked up the newspaper and over there Challe jogged by and shouted: Hey!

Vi som älskar D’Angelo har fått lära oss vad tålamod vill säga. Jag minns fortfarande hur hårt jag fnös då det hösten 1999 meddelades att D’Angelo, fem år efter debuten, skulle komma med nytt material. Jo, tjena. Inte förrän jag fick ”Untitled”-tolvan i handen blev det på riktigt.

2012, Anna Hellsten, “Sång som ger skinande löfte”, in Sydsvenskan:

We who love D’Angelo have learned what patience means. I still remember how hard I was snorted when it was announced in the fall of 1999 that D’Angelo, five years after his debut, would release new material. Yeah, sure. Not until I got the ”Untitled” 12-inch in my hand did it become real.

(colloquial) yeah, right; indication of doubt


vi ses

Similar to Norwegian Nynorsk vi sest, Faroese vit síggjast, Norwegian Bokmål vi sees and Danish vi ses


mjo

(colloquial) "myeah" (a casual or somewhat reserved agreeing or affirmative response)


god förmiddag

good morning; used after early morning (see god morgon), between around 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.


trevlig resa

From trevlig (“pleasant”) + resa (“journey, trip”).

com

bon voyage; literally pleasant journey or trip


har den äran

Short for jag har den äran på födelsedagen; I have the honour on your birthday


Cesar

The letter "C" in the Swedish spelling alphabet


hejsan

From earlier hejsa, borrowed from German heisa. The -n ending might have been added by analogy to words like jajamänsan, where -san is likely a contraction of "sa(de) han" (he said).


anamma

From Old Swedish anama, annama, anamma, annamma, from Middle Low German annamen (“receive”), from an (akin to on) + nemen (akin to German nehmen (“to take”), English nim and Swedish förnimma), influenced by the noun anname (“receiption, act of receiving”). Cognate with Danish annamme, Norwegian Bokmål annamme, Norwegian Nynorsk annamme, annamma, German annehmen, Low German annehmen, Dutch aannemen and Old English onniman (“to receive, take”).

cog

Nu är det fan anamma allvar!

(chiefly dated or jocularly archaizing) Used in expletives that invoke the devil.


wallahi

(Islam) Alternative form of wallah, emphatic of wallah


jösses

Jösses, alltså ...

Jösses! Klockan är redan sex. Vi måste åka!

My goodness! It's already six o'clock. We have to leave!

(colloquial, euphemistic) gee, geez, gosh, my goodness (expresses surprise or frustration and sometimes mild disbelief)


schu

Alternative spelling of sjup (“yes; acknowledgement”).


fnys

(usually in writing) harumph (expresses contempt or dissatisfaction, literally snort)


kom igen

Kom igen, Johan! Du kan vinna!

come on; an expression of encouragement.

Kom igen nu, vi vill inte missa tåget.

Come on, we don't want to miss the train.


vafan

Contraction of vad fan, with va being a reduced form of vad (“what”), and fan being a curse word originally meaning the Devil.

Vafan göru?

Jag fråga vafan d va men han svara nt.

I asked what the fuck it was but he didn't answer.

(colloquial, text messaging, Internet slang) what the hell, what the fuck


tihi

tihi* *fniss* ― *tee hee* *hehe*

tee hee (representing a high-pitched laugh, tittering)


vetja

Written form of a reduction of vet (“know, knows”), present tense of veta (“to know”), + ja, pronunciation spelling of jag (“I”).

Ring honom och fråga, vetja!

Jag vet att du tvekar, men kör på, vetja!

I know you're hesitating, but hey, I think you should go ahead!

Indicates encouragement to do something.


hörni

compound

you <abbr title="plural number">pl</abbr>

Hörni, jag måste berätta nånting för er.

Hörni, jag behöver er hjälp!

used to get attention from a group of people, hey, listen


simsalabim

Uncertain. Likely from a nursery rhyme. Cognate of German Simsalabim.

abracadabra (said by someone doing magic or a magical trick)


tjenare

Originally a Stockholm pronunciation of tjänare, where /ɛː/ traditionally merges with /eː/.

Tjenare kompis!

Tjenare Mollberg, hur är det fatt? / Hvar är din Harpa? hvar är din hatt?

1790, Carl Mikael Bellman, “Fredmans epistel n:o 45”, in translated by Paul Britten Austin, Fredmans epistlar [Fredman’s Epistles]:

Servant, sir, Mollberg, where are ye at? / Where is your harp, and where is your hat?

”Tjenare Andreasson”, sa Carl-Henrik Sachsen. ”Nu kan du få komma och titta om du vill.”

Hello there Andreasson”, said Carl-Henrik Sachsen. ”You can come and have a look now if you wish.”

(colloquial) Alternative form of tjänare (“hey, yo”)


mjuka tjänare

Clipping of ödmjuka tjänare (“humble servant”), from phrases such as jag är eder ödmjuka tjänare (”I am your humble servant”) etc. Compare German servus and Italian ciao. See also tjänare.

clipping

Lyftande på den smala hatten sa han: — Mjuka tjänare, mitt herrskap! Jag tycks komma lite, hm, olägligt[…]

1913, Ludvig Nordström, Jobbarfamiljen Gobsman:

Lifting his slender hat he said: – Greetings, ladies and gentlemen! I seem to be arriving somewhat, hm, inconveniently.

– Dvalin, till din tjänst. – Bilbo Bagger, mjuka tjänare! sade hobbiten, alltför överraskad för att komma med några frågor just då.

1962, J.R.R. Tolkien, translated by Britt G. Hallqvist, Bilbo – En hobbits äventyr:

“Dwalin at your service!” he said with a low bow. “Bilbo Baggins at yours!” said the hobbit, too surprised to ask any questions for the moment.

(archaic) A greeting expressing humility and reverence.


ödmjuka tjänare

Ellipsis of phrases such as jag är eder ödmjuka tjänare (”I am your humble servant”) etc. Compare German servus and Italian ciao. See also tjänare.

Nå ödmjukaste tjenare, gunstig Herr Värd! / Klang! en klunk uppå Skinkan innan Steken blir skärd.

1791, Carl Mikael Bellman, “Fredmans sång n:o 9”, in translated by Paul Britten Austin, Fredmans sånger [Fredman’s Epistles]:

Oh, your humblest of servants, most gracious sir Host! / Take a sip to the Ham, sir, ere we carve up the roast.

»Ödmjuka tjenare, min allra sötaste fru Marshausen... För guds skull skynda in... aftonen är kall!»

1839, Emilie Flygare-Carlén, Gustaf Lindorm:

”Greetings, my very sweetest Mrs. Marshausen... For God’s sake hurry indoors...the evening is cold!”


tjabba

From tja + ba, a colloquial pronunciation of bara. See also tjänare.

”Tjabba Eddie!” sa han. Eddie blinkade och svalde. ”Tjabba Anders!” viskade han.

”Hi there Eddie!”, he said. Eddie blinked and swallowed. ”Hi there Anders!”, he whispered.


tjenixen

Extension of an older tjänix, tjenix. Possibly related to the ending -is in tjänis, tjenis. See also tjänare.

Jag klappade honom vänligt på axeln, och han snurrade runt. – Tjenixen, tjenixen, broder kär, sade jag vänligt. Jag hör att du har svårigheter med språket.

1962, Folke Nystrand, Rolands rukratiska resa:

I patted him kindly on the shoulder and he spun around. — Well, well, brother dear, I said kindly. I hear that you have difficulties with the language.

– Tjenixen, mumlar han och smyger ner nagelsaxen i skrivbordslådan.

– Hiya, he mumbles and sneaks the nail scissors into the desk drawer.

(colloquial, somewhat humorous) An informal greeting.


hoppla

(directed at a horse) Move on!, go faster!


hoppsan

From Low German hopsa, related to Swedish hoppa (“to jump”).

(colloquial) Acknowledging a mistake or expressing surprise; oops, whoops, oh


morsning

Morsning här i sommarsolen, Peter!


minsann

Minsann, det hade jag inte trott om honom

I see, wouldn't have thought that about him

I see (when acknowledging something felt to be significant)


mumma

Mumma!
Yum!

Det här är mumma!

Det här smakar mumma!

Seger idag vore mumma inför slutspelet

Victory today would be yum going into the playoffs


yes box

A pseudo-anglicism; origin uncertain. At least two theories exist:
* According to folklorist Bengt af Klintberg, from a humorous anecdote about a Swedish emigrant to America who is told that he will be able to communicate adequately with just three words: yes, box and alright. When he arrives in New York he is sighted next to a dead body; the policeman asks him: "Did you kill this man?" ("Yes!") "How did you kill him?" ("Box.") "Follow me to the police station!" ("Alright!").
* An alteration of English "yes boss (alright)".


lystring

givakt

attention; command to stand at attention


nöff

"Nöff nöff!" sa grisen

oink (representing the sound made by a pig)


ajabaja

Unknown, debated. Earliest known example from a 1954. Possibly constructed from the common human warning signal "ajajaj..." plus Swedish baj (“punishing call”).

Ajabaja!

Ajabaja, inget godis före maten!

(colloquial, to children) No, you are not allowed to do that!; punishing call; tut tut


ser man på

Nisse! Ser man på! Jag trodde du var död!

Nisse! Won't you look at that! I thought you were dead!

won't you look at that!, that is unexpected!


skitsamma

skit samma vilket
skit samma vilket#Swedish

(colloquial) Variation of skit samma vilket.


skit samma

Ska vi göra det nu? Eller... nej. Skit samma. Vi tar det sen.

Should we do it now? Or... no. Never mind. We'll do it later."

– Är det inte farligt att göra såhär?
– Skit samma, vi måste bli klara idag.
– Isn't it dangerous to do it this way?
– Forget it, we have to finish today.


skitsamma vilket

skit (“shit”) + samma (“same”) + vilket (“which”)


skit samma vilket

Vi har käbblat i tio år om ett materiellt ståndsintresse; vi har käbblat i andra tio år om ett annat materiellt ståndsintresse; men det var och blef aldrig annat än ett materiellt ståndsintresse, – grundskatteafskrifning, eller indelningsverkssjajs, eller skyddstull, skit samma hvilket [...]

We have been arguing for ten years about a material estate interest; we have been arguing for another ten years about another material estate interest; but it was and never became anything other than a material estate interest, - basic tax depreciation, or subdivision jay, or protective duty, shit no matter what …

Meris gälla röst i bakgrunden. Hon skulle tro att jag ljög, skit samma.

2011, Henrika Andersson, Emma Gloria med lust och fägring stor, page 174:

Meris shrilling voice in the background. She would think I was lying, whatever.

(colloquial) An expression used to dismiss something that the speaker doesn't care about, doesn't think important, or doesn't want to consider or discuss any further.


väs

"Vässs!" väste ormen

Sir Väs


slipp då

From imperative of slippa (“to not have to do”) + då (“then”). Roughly, "Get away without having to do it, then!"

(derogatory) Expresses disappointment with someone's unwillingness to do something, similar to "Don't do it then, if you can't be arsed!"


lägg ägg

Literally "Lay eggs!" Perhaps a rhyming derivation of lägg av (“knock it off!”).


kvack

"Kvack kvack!" kvackade ankan

"Kvack!" kväkte grodan


blubb

Fisken säger "Blubb blubb!"

Represents a bubbling sound, or an (imagined) sound made by fish.


kuckeliku

"Kuckeliku!" gal tuppen


krax

"Krax krax!" kraxade kråkan
"Caw caw!" cawed the crow


gnägg

"Gnägg!" gnäggade hästen
"Neigh!" neighed the horse


rackarns

Rackarns!

Rackarns bananer!

(sometimes followed by också) darn it, drat


nedrans

Nedrans också!


håll käften

Imperative of hålla käften (“keep one's mouth shut”). Literally "Hold your jaw!"

Håll käften sa jag!


det vete fan

Literally "That may the devil know," using the subjunctive vete of veta (“to know”).

Hur mycket det kommer kosta? Det vete fan...

(mildly vulgar) (i have) no idea, who knows

Det sägs att det är nyttigt, men det vete fan. Jag ställer mig tveksam.

They say it's good for you, but I don't know. I have my doubts there.

Det vete fan om det där kommer funka alltså

I'm really not so sure that's going to work

(mildly vulgar) I don't know (as an expression of being dubious about something)


för i helvete

Skynda dig för i helvete!

Men för i helvete!

(vulgar) (God) damn it!, for fuck's sake!


hell seger

From hell (“hail”) + seger (“victory”). Calque of German Sieg Heil.


flämt

Flämt! En kobra har omslingrat mitt ben.

Flämt! En mil kvar att springa.


jovars

– Ni spelade bra idag! – Jovars, vi har våra dagar!
– You played well today! – Yep, we have our moments!

– Är du nöjd med din nya dator? – Jovars, den funkar prima!
– Are you happy with your new computer? – Yep, it works great!

Kunde vissa saker skötts snyggare? Jovars, men ingen är fullkomlig.

Could some things have been handled better? They certainly could have, but no one is perfect.

Used as a strong or enthusiastic agreeing or affirmative response.


åja

– Aj! Aj! – Åja, så ont kan det inte ha gjort.
– Ow! Ow! – Come on, it can't have hurt that much.

Åja, det är fortfarande halva säsongen kvar att spela. Mycket kan hända än.

You shouldn't make hasty conclusions. There's still half the season left to play. There's a lot that could happen yet.

Åja, så perfekta är de inte själva

Expresses unwillingness to accept something offhand (as an objection or the like).


jadå

– Är du säker på att vi stängde av spisen? – Jadå, det gjorde vi!
– Are you sure we turned the stove off? – Yes, we did!


ajdå

Aj då, vi glömde ölen hemma

Aj då, sidan kunde inte laddas. 404.

Ouch, the page could not be loaded. 404.

Aj då! Det låter inget vidare.


jodå

– Men pingviner lever väl inte på södra halvklotet? – Jodå, det gör de.
– But penguins don't live in the southern hemisphere, do they? – Yes, they do.

– Du har inte köpt mjölk. – Jodå, det har jag.
– You haven't bought milk. – Yes, I have.

– Är du den där snubben från TV? – Jodå, det är jag!
– Are you that guy from TV? – Yep, that's me!

Jodå, det var han som gjorde det, precis som alla trodde

Yup, it was he who did it, just like everyone thought

Expresses that something is or was expected.


jajamänsan

From jajamän + -san, where -san might derive from "sa(de) han" (he said).

(colloquial) emphatic of jajamän, that's right, you betcha


jajamän

From ja (“yes”) + män (“men”), in reference to holy men, as in saints. Attested since 1770.

(colloquial) emphatic of javisst, that's right, you bet


jovisst

From jo + visst (“with certainty”). Attested since 1884.

– Inte är väl du den där snubben från TV? – Jovisst är jag det!
– You can't be that guy from TV, right? – No, that's me alright!

Synonym of jodå (as an emphatic negative response to a negative question or doubt)


jojomänsan

From jojomän + -san, where -san might derive from "sa(de) han" (he said).


ojsan

Ojsan, jag tror vi försovit oss


aj aj, kapten

aye aye, captain (conforming an order was understood and will be carried out)


javisst

– Får man klappa djuren? – Javisst får man det!
– Are you allowed to pet the animals? – You sure are!

– Är 3 + 4 lika med 7? – Javisst!
– Does 3 + 4 equal 7? – It sure does!

– De är skurkar! – Javisst, det är ju det jag försökt säga.
– They're crooks! – Absolutely. That's what I've been trying to say you know.

An emphatic agreeing or affirmative response; sure, absolutely

Javisst ja, vi måste hämta ungarna

(when followed by "ja") Expresses suddenly remembering something; oh, right


jojomän

From jo + män (“men”), in reference to holy men, as in saints.


tjosan

From tjo + -san, which may derive from sa(de) han (“he said”).

(colloquial) An expression of joy or intensity or the like.


ajöss

"Ajöss med dig", sa superskurken och tryckte på knappen

"So long," said the supervillain and pressed the button

(colloquial) Alternative form of adjö (“goodbye”)


tjohej

(colloquial) An expression of merriment.


tjoho

woohoo, yay, whee (expressing exuberant joy, intensity, or the like)


håhåjaja

An expression of tiredness or weariness or the like.


plopp

När han bajsar låter det plopp
When he poops, it sounds like plop


såpass

– Vi sålde hundra syltburkar på marknaden. – Så pass? Det var inte illa.
– We sold a hundred jars of jam at the market. – That many? Not bad.

– Vi ska träffa kungen imorgon. – Så pass? Häftigt!
– We're meeting the king tomorrow. – Really ("To that degree (of things being out of the ordinary)")? Cool!

(as a question or interjection) to that degree(?), that much/many?, is that so?


än sen då

– Du är tre timmar sen. – Än sen då?
– You're three hours late. – So what?


hörru

(colloquial) Alternative form of hördu (“hey, say, listen”)


hördu

af

you <abbr title="singular number">sg</abbr>

Hördu Nisse, har du sett till katten?

Hörrö! Sluta upp med det där!

hey, say, listen (used to gain someone's attention when addressing them)


herrejävlar

By surface analysis, herre (“lord”) + jävlar (“devils, damn”).

surf

Herrejävlar vad det small!

holy crap, holy hell, hot damn (expresses amazement, surprise, strong disapproval, etc.)


jo tjena

jo (“yeah”) + tjena (“hey, yo (a colloquial greeting)”)

af

Så han sköt sig själv med fyra skott? Jo tjena.

So he shot himself with four bullets? Yeah, right.

(colloquial) Expresses strong skepticism; yeah, right, my ass, as if


ta mej fan

ta (“take”) + mej (“me (colloquial)”) + fan (“the devil”)

(colloquial) Alternative form of ta mig fan (“I'll be damned”)


jäklar i min lilla låda

jävlar i min lilla låda
jävlar i min lilla låda#Swedish

(colloquial) Alternative form of jävlar i min lilla låda


jävlar i min lilla låda

jävlar (“devils, damn”) + i (“in”) + min (“my”) + lilla (“little”) + låda (“box”)

Får vi tårta också? Jäklar i min lilla låda!

Are we getting cake too? Bloody awesome!

Jävlar i min lilla låda vilken explosion!

(colloquial) Expresses strong emotions; hot damn, bloody hell


ta mig fan

ta (“take”) + mig (“me”) + fan (“the devil”)

(colloquial) I'll be damned (expresses surprise)


ja jävlar

Chefen stod alltså vid motorvägen hög som ett hus och blottade sig för bilister? Ja jävlar...

So the boss was standing next to the motorway high as a kite exposing himself to motorists? Hoo boy...

Expresses disapproval, dismay, or the like, along with (slight) bewilderment; hoo boy, "Well, I'll be damned"


för fan

– Vill du också ha pizza? – Ja för fan!
– You want pizza too? – Hell yes!

Nej för fan

Du är för fan galen!


hoppsan hejsan

(colloquial) Expresses a reaction to a mistake or surprise; whoopsie-daisy, oh


hejsan hoppsan

När nätterna blir långa och kölden sätter in, tar mamma mus och samlar hela barnaskaran sin. Hon visar sen på fällan: "Akta er för den, så får vi allesammans fira jul igen." Hejsan hoppsan, fallerallera, när julen kommer ska varenda unge vara gla' [glad]! Hejsan hoppsan, fallerallera, när julen kommer ska varenda unge vara gla' [glad]!

When the nights get long and the cold sets in, then mother mouse goes and gathers her whole group of children. She then points [directs, more generally] to the trap: "Beware of that one, and we will all get to celebrate Christmas again." Hidy howdy, fallerallera [expression of exhilaration, often in song], when [the] Christmas comes, every kid should be happy! Hidy howdy, fallerallera, when [the] Christmas comes, every kid should be happy!


sjutton gubbar

By surface analysis, sjutton (“seventeen”) + gubbar (“older men”).

surf

(euphemistic, colloquial) Synonym of sjutton


järnspikar

(minced oath, colloquial, often humorous) Euphemistic form of jävlar.


jämrans

From jämra (“lament, whimper, wail”) or jämmer. Compare attans, rackarns, and nedrans for the suffix. Intuitively definite form genitive.


punkt slut

En hamburgare är inte en sorts bulle, punkt slut!

A hamburger is not a type of bun, end of story!

full stop, period, end of story (this is not up for debate)

Du ska göra som jag säger, punkt slut!

You're going to do as I say, end of discussion!

end of discussion, period (I'm not willing to argue)


och därmed basta

och (“and”) + därmed (“with that”) + basta

af

Du ska göra som jag säger, och därmed basta!

Campagnola, fiuggirola, quattro stagioni, marinara, capricciosa, kan inte låta bli. Jag blir fascinerad. Känner hunger, känner törst. Det gör mig passionerad. Det gör mig fylld av lust. Pescatore, vesuvio, la bussola, pompei. Vad ni frestar mig. Siciliana, al tonne [sic], vegetariano. Jag får aldrig nog. Mamma mia! Pizzeria! Cannelloni, macaroni och lasagne. I Paris, i New York City, London och Bombay har man specialmenyer. Ingenting för mig! Ge mig macaroni, cannelloni och lasagne. Spaghetti och därmed pasta [pun]! Bara nämn dom vid namn. Pescatore, vesuvio ... [as before]

1986, Lasse Holm (lyrics and music), “Cannelloni, macaroni”:

Campagnola, fiuggirola, quattro stagioni, marinara, capricciosa, can't help myself. I am [become] fascinated. Feeling hunger, feeling thirst. It makes me passionate. It makes me filled [sic] with desire. Pescatore, vesuvio, la bussola, pompei. How you tempt me. Siciliana, al tonne [sic], vegetariano. I never get enough. Mamma mia! Pizzeria! Cannelloni, macaroni and lasagna. In Paris, in New York City, London and Bombay they [one] have special menus. Not [something] for me! Give me macaroni, cannelloni and lasagna. Spaghetti, and that's final! Just mention them by name. Pescatore, vesuvio ... [as before]

end of discussion, and that's final, period (I'm not willing to argue anymore)


tjena mors

tjena (a greeting) + mors (“a greeting”)


strunt samma

Milder synonym of skit samma; never mind; it doesn't matter


åfasen

(colloquial) Expresses surprise and (positive or negative) interest.


ofasen

(colloquial) Expresses surprise and interest.


jahapp

– Du har förstört mitt liv! – Jahapp.
– You've ruined my life! – Alright.

alright, OK (acknowleding a statement, often with dismissive or disinterested undertones)

Jahapp, tydligen är det dags att deklarera igen

Alright, apparently it's time to do the tax return again

Jahapp! Nu har man visst tagit körkort.

Alright (with a fairly calm tone)! Apparently I have a driver's license now.

alright, OK (as a filler at the start of an utterance, acknowleding a situation)


mammas död

From mammas (“mother's”) + död (“death”). Likely of Middle Eastern cultural origin.

– Svär du? – Jag svär! – Säg mammas död! – Mammas död!
– Do you swear? – I swear! – Say mother's death! – Mother's death!


bajshåla

bajshåla (indefinite nominative singular)
bajshålan (definite nominative singular)
bajshålor (indefinite nominative plural)
bajshålorna (definite nominative plural)
bajshålas (genitive indefinite singular)
bajshålans (definite genitive singular)
bajshålors (genitive indefinite plural)
bajshålornas (definite genitive plural)

Bajshåla! Jag vill inte.

Jävla bajshåla, hatar att resa långt!


för all del

för (“for”) + all (“all”) + del (“part”)

– Kan jag ta mer mat? – För all del! Ta för dig!
– May I have more food? – By all means! Help yourself!

by all means, certainly, (when followed by "inte") by no means


schackmatt

Alternative form of schack matt (“checkmate”)


tjolahopp

An expression of joy or intensity or the like.


vafalls

I beg your pardon
I beg your pardon#English

(colloquial, somewhat dated, usually archaizing or humorous) Expresses surprise (and dismay) at something just said; what?!, I beg your pardon?


på återseende

på (“on”) + återseende (“reunion”, literally “again-seeing”)


morsning korsning

morsning (a greeting) + korsning (“intersection (likely just for the rhyme)”)


håhå

(colloquial) hehe, haha (with a deep voice)


skärpning

straighten up! (focus!, improve your behavior!, stop messing around!)


givakt

(military) attention! (command to stand at attention)


tvi vale

tvi + varde (present subjunctive of varda (“become”))

present subjunctive of <i class="Latn mention" lang="sv">varda</i> (“become”)

Tvi vale! Det var ju bajs och inte choklad!
Yuck! It was poop and not chocolate!


tvi

Inherited from Old Swedish tvi, of soundproofing origin.

Tvi! Jag tog just en tugga av en möglig macka.

Yuck! I just took a bite out of a moldy sandwich.

Tvi dig!

Expresses disgust, contempt, and the like.


pyttsan

From pytt + -san, a contracted form of "sa(de) han" (he said).

Det ligger en död kackerlacka i duschen. Fyrstjärnigt hotell? Pyttsan!

There's a dead cockroach in the shower. Four-star hotel? Yeah, right!

Pyttsan att hotellet förtjänar fyra stjärnor

Not a chance that the hotel deserves four stars

(sometimes preceded by jo) Expresses emphatic rejection of some claim.


nåväl

well, oh well, anyway (before a conclusion or summary or the like)


stick och brinn

stick (“get lost”) + och (“and”) + brinn (“burn”)


milda makter

milda (“mild, gentle”) + makter (“powers”)

(chiefly humorous) goodness gracious (expresses surprise)


kära nån

By surface analysis, kära (“dear”) + nån (“somebody”).

surf

good grief (expresses annoyance, alarm, and the like)


du store tid

By surface analysis, du (“you”) + store (“great (in the masculine with -e)”) + tid (“time”). Perhaps "time of you the great one (God)."

good heavens (expresses surprise, shock, and the like)


milda tider

milda (“mild, gentle”) + tider (“times”)


gudars skymning

From gudars (“gods'”) + skymning (“twilight”), in reference to Ragnarok. See gudaskymning.

Gudars skymning vilken tråkig film

(often humorous) my gosh, goodness gracious (expresses surprise, awe, frustration, and the like)


vad är det fråga om

vad är det frågan om
vad är det frågan om#Swedish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of vad är det frågan om


upp med händerna

upp (“up”) + med (“with”) + händerna (“the hands”)


vad är det frågan om

Varför ringer du vid tretiden på morgonen? Vad är det frågan om?

Why are you calling at three in the morning? What do you want?

(idiomatic) what am I dealing with here?; what do you want?, what's going on?


bevare mig väl

bevare (subjunctive of bevara (“protect”)) + mig (“me”) + väl (“well”)

subjunctive of <i class="Latn mention" lang="sv">bevara</i> (“protect”)

Expresses irritation, shock, or the like.


hujedamej

(colloquial) Expresses strong displeasure.


gubevars

Contraction of Gud bevare oss (“[may] God protect us”).

contraction

Han är ju kung, gubevars! Klart han ska få ha fina bilar.

He's a king, for God's sake! Of course he should be allowed to have nice cars.

Hon är ju gubevars tre. Klart hon inte kan se skräckfilm.

She's three, for God's sake. Of course she can't watch horror movies.

Det är inte första gången han gör något dumt, gubevars

It's not the first time he does something stupid, goodness me

(colloquial) goodness me, for God's sake

Förutom att äta mycket är ju hundarna gubevars söta

In addition to eating a lot, the dogs are cute, thank goodness


nu går skam på torra land

From nu (“now”) + går (“goes”) + skam (“shame”) + på (“on”) + torra land (“dry land”), in this expression referring to flooding onto dry land. Attested since the 17th century.

af

Gifte han sig med sekreteraren en vecka efter att frun dog? Nu går skam på torra land.

Did he marry his secretary a week after his wife died? Has he no shame?

(idiomatic) have you no shame?, things have gone too far


äsch

Possible extension of the interjection äh with influence from usch (“ugh, yuck”).

onomatopoeic

interjection

Äsch, bollen missade hålet

– Modigt att dra ut tanden! – Äsch, det kändes knappt.
– Brave of you to have the tooth pulled! – Shucks, I barely felt it.

– Du är bäst i världen! – Äsch då.
– You're the best person in the world! – Aw shucks.

(sometimes followed by då) Expresses mild disappointment or (sometimes bashful) dismissal; shucks


klafs

Mimics a sound like stepping in or otherwise hitting something wet and/or sticky.


dra åt fittan

dra (“go”) + åt (“to”) + fittan (“the cunt”)

af

(vulgar, idiomatic) fuck off!, fuck you!, get fucked!, go fuck yourself!


dra åt kuken

dra (“go”) + åt (“to”) + kuken (“the dick”)

(vulgar, idiomatic) fuck off!, fuck you!, go fuck yourself! get fucked!


schas

Schas på dig, älgen!
Shoo, moose!


visst fan

Visst fan! Vi skulle ju hämtat ungarna för tre timmar sen!

Oh shit! We were supposed to have picked up the kids three hours ago!

(colloquial, with stress on "visst") Expresses suddenly remembering something; oh, right, oh, shit


aboow

(slang) Alternative form of abow (“shit, wow, damn”)


abow

Abow knas

Abow, aina igen, jao!

(slang) Expresses shock or amazement; shit, wow, damn


håll tyst

Håll tyst bara så ordnar det sig

Just keep your mouth shut and it will work out


håll babblan

(colloquial, chiefly humorous) shut your gob


det var som katten

(colloquial) Euphemistic form of det var som fan (“(well) I'll be damned”).


det var som fan

Literally, “it was like damn”. Compare Norwegian Bokmål and Norwegian Nynorsk det var som faen.

Hela skogen brann ner alltså? Det var som fan.

So the whole forest burned down? I'll be damned.

(colloquial) (well) I'll be damned (expresses surprise)


se på fan

Jag anade att det skulle sitta en mås på picknickkorgen när jag kom tillbaka, och se på fan, det gjorde det!

I suspected there would be a gull sitting on the picnic basket when I got back, and sure enough, there was!

Se på fan... det var kyparen som gjorde det

I'll be damned... it was the butler who did it

(colloquial, mildly vulgar) (well) I'll be damned

Nu ska du få se på fan!

(colloquial, mildly vulgar) Expresses intending to do harm to someone.


nu är fan lös

nu (“now”) + är (“is”) + fan (“the devil”) + lös (“loose”)

(idiomatic, colloquial) now the trouble starts, now the shit has hit the fan


satan i gatan

From satan (“Satan”) + i (“in”) + gatan (“the street”). "In the street" does not translate idiomatically word for word, so perhaps more of a meaningless rhyme.

(chiefly humorous) An expletive; holy shit


sakta i backarna

Sakta i backarna! Ingen har väl påstått att han är helt oskyldig?

Slow down there! No one has claimed he's completely innocent, have they?

(idiomatic) not so fast, slow down there, whoa (for example when someone brings up (and then moves on from) a contentious point)


tvek

(slang) Expresses strong doubt; "I highly doubt that"


så det så

(idiomatic, childish) Emphasizes that what was just said is true; so there


och hör sen

Han får inte vara här, och hör sen!

He's not allowed to be here, end of story!

(idiomatic) Emphasizes a statement; "and that's how it is!", "and that's it!", end of story!


lägg av

Lägg av! Verkligen?

Lägg av! Sa han verkligen det?

(colloquial) shut up, I don't believe it!, no way!

Lägg av! Det är inte roligt!

Lägg av! Det är farligt!

(colloquial) cease!, stop!, knock it off!


seså

Seså, oroa dig inte! Det ordnar sig.

Seså, seså, dröm inte att det är över

Seså, rör på påkarna!

come on, do as I say (expressing slight irritation)


du har satt din sista potatis

Literally, "You have planted your last potato!"

ha satt sin sista potatis
ha satt sin sista potatis#Swedish

(idiomatic) you're done for! (see ha satt sin sista potatis)


komsi

Komsi, komsi, lilla katten!
Here, kitty, kitty!

(colloquial) here, come to papa (come to me)


då så

– Margit kan vikariera för Nisse i matten medan han är borta. – Då så, då är problemet löst!
– Margit can substitute for Nisse in math class while he is away. – Alright, then the problem is solved!

– Jag har packat färdigt. – Då så, då åker vi!
– I'm done packing. – Alright, then we're leaving!


herre min skapare

herre (“lord”) + min (“my”) + skapare (“creator”)

Christ almighty (expresses frustration, outrage, boredom, or the like)


vi syns

Vi syns imorgon!

Vi syns på festen!


jisses

(colloquial, euphemistic) Alternative form of jösses


där satt den

Good one!; Oh snap!; Got it!; Got you!; Booyah!; Said following a well-delivered spoken phrase (joke, insightful comment, etc) or high-effort or impactful action, as to reaffirm and highlight its quality.


tjena mittbena

From tjena (“hey, yo”) + mittbena (“middle part hair”), for the rhyme.


very nice, fågelbajs

English very nice + fågel (“bird”) + bajs (“poop”) (for the rhyme)


very well, cykelställ

English very well + cykelställ (“bike rack”) (for the rhyme, when pronounced with a Swedish accent)


ajöken

Ajöken, fröken!

(colloquial) Alternative form of adjö (“goodbye”)


trevlig helg, sug och svälj

trevlig helg (“have a nice weekend!”) + sug (“suck”) + och (“and”) + svälj (“swallow”) (for the rhyme)

(humorous, somewhat vulgar) have a nice weekend!


sug och svälj, trevlig helg

sug (“suck”) + och (“and”) + svälj (“swallow”) + trevlig helg (“have a nice weekend!”) (for the rhyme)


nu jävlar

nu (“now”) + jävlar (“damn”). Probably a relatively newer construction, because no other Scandinavian language has a similar phrase (except when it is humorously used as an unadapted borrowing in Norwegian).

Nu jävlar ska vi spela!

Nu jävlar kör vi, grabbar!

"Nu jävlar!", - sa hon när motorn kom i gång

"Hell yeah!", - she said when the motor started

(colloquial) Said before something is going to happen or be done, usually very fast and/or dangerous, or before somebody is going to do a tough (part of) work


tacka vet jag

Nisses kanelbullar är så torra. Tacka vet jag Olles kanelbullar!

Nisse's cinnamon buns are so dry. Olle's cinnamon buns, on the other hand!

(idiomatic) Expresses a preference for something/someone.


tackor och bockar

From tackor (“ewes”) + och (“and”) + bockar (“rams”), an alteration of tackar och bockar.

tackar och bockar
tackar och bockar#Swedish

(humorous) Synonym of tackar och bockar (“thanks!”)


jo, jag tackar, jag

Efterrätt också? Jo, jag tackar, jag!

En produkt som kommer revolutionera världen? Jo, jag tackar, jag ...

A product that will revolutionize the world? That's quite something ...

(idiomatic) not bad at all, that's quite something (in positive or ironic usage)


tackar och bockar

tackar (“(says) thanks”) + och (“and”) + bockar (“bows”)


tro fan det

tacka fan för det
tacka fan för det#Swedish

(colloquial, slightly vulgar) Alternative form of tacka fan för det


tacka tusan för det

tacka (“(to) thank”) + tusan (mild expletive) + för (“for”) + det (“that”)


tacka sjutton för det

tacka (“(to) thank”) + sjutton (mild expletive) + för (“for”) + det (“that”)


tacka fan för det

tacka (“thank”) + fan (“the Devil”) + för (“for”) + det (“that”)

– Jag kuggade uppkörningen för fjärde gången. – Tacka fan för det när du aldrig övningskör.
– I flunked my driving test for the fourth time. – Well, duh. You never practice driving.

Han hade fått motorstopp mitt ute i ingenstans och hade inte mobilen med sig. Jag erbjöd mig att hjälpa honom. Han tackade ja. Tacka fan för det.

His car had broken down in the middle of nowhere, and he didn't have his cell phone with him. I offered to help him. He accepted. Well, duh.

(idiomatic, colloquial, slightly vulgar) that is completely natural and obvious, "well duh", "no shit"


hej hopp, gummisnopp

From hej hopp (a colloquial gretting) + gummi (“rubber”) + snopp (“dick”), for the rhyme.


tacka för det

tacka (“(to) thank”) + för (“for”) + det (“that”)


halloj

Perhaps a blend of hallå + ohøj. Compare Danish halløj.


stopp och belägg

stopp (“stop”) + och (“and”) + belägg (“belay (nautical sense)”)

Stopp och belägg! Den ska vi bjuda på på festen imorgon, så den får du inte äta.

Hold it! We'll be serving that one at the party tomorrow, so you can't eat it.

(idiomatic) hold it right there!, easy now!


skål för nykterheten

skål (“cheers”) + för (“for”) + nykterheten (“the sobriety (definite is often idiomatic for concepts)”)

(humorous) here's to sobriety (as a toast)


såja

Såja (såja), gråt inte


tjong

Tjong i medaljongen!

Whack in the locket! (expresses a hard hit (to the head))

(colloquial) whack (expression for hard bang)


se där

Se där, han var skyldig. Precis som jag trodde.

Look at that, he was guilty. Just as I thought.

won't you look at that
won't you look at that#English

Expresses learning (of) something (surprising or noteworthy, through direct observation or otherwise); look at that, won't you look at that


fy fan

fy (“fie”) + fan (“the devil (swear word)”). Compare Norwegian Nynorsk fy faen.

Fy fan

Fucking hell / Goddamn / This sucks (context-dependent as a general expression of (usually) dislike)

Fy fan vad äckligt

Fy fan för dig!

Åh fy fan vad rädd jag blev när monstret hoppade fram

God damn I got scared when the monster jumped out

Fy fan vad bra de spelar!

(swear word) emphatic of fan; an (often negative) interjection or intensifier.


fy skäms

shame on you (you should be ashamed of yourself)


herrejösses

herre (“lord”) + jösses (“jeez (minced oath)”)


sörru

Contraction of "ser du" (you see), with word order matching how it would commonly appear due to V2.


serru

Contraction of "ser du" (you see), with word order matching how it would often appear due to V2.

Det här är riktig musik, serru!

Jag trodde jag äntligen var säker, men serru det var jag inte [the "serru" could also be placed after the "inte"], för just då kom älgen sättandes runt husknuten!

I thought I was finally safe, but oh no I was not, because right at that moment, the moose came running round the corner of the house!

Tusen spänn för den där? Jo men visst serru. Vilket jäkla överpris.

A thousand bucks for that? Yeah, sure ("Yeah but sure you see / mate"). So damn overpriced.

(colloquial) you see, "mate" (as a colloquial, often jocular emphasizer)


ja tack

– Vill du ha mer tårta? – Ja tack!
– Would you like more cake? – Yes, please!


nej tack

– Vill du ha påfyllning? – Nej tack, jag är mätt!
– Do you want a refill? – No thanks, I'm full!


tack för mig

tack (“thanks”) + för (“for”) + mig (“me”)

Ni har varit en underbar publik. Tack för mig!

You have been a wonderful audience. That's it for me. Goodbye!

Efter ett år säger jag tack för mig och flyttar till Säffle
After a year, I'm (figuratively) saying goodbye and moving to Säffle

(somewhat colloquial) (that's it for me) goodbye (often upon leaving something in which one has been more involved)


vettu

Contraction of "vet du". Compare Norwegian Bokmål vettu and Norwegian Nynorsk veittu.

Du är inte den enda som kan fäktas, vettu

You're not the only one who knows how to sword fight, y'know

Kom till festen. Det blir schysst musik, vettu!

Come to the party. There'll be great music, y'know!


skit på dig

(idiomatic, vulgar) go fuck yourself (literally, "shit your pants")


gå och dö

gå (“walk, go”) + och (“and”) + dö (“die”)

Den där störiga reklamen de kör i tid och otid på radio kan gå och dö

That annoying ad they're running all the time on radio can drop dead ("go and die")


nix pix

– Är det trädgårdsmästaren som är mördaren? – Nix pix! Mördaren är kocken.
– Is the gardener the killer? – Nope! The killer is the cook.


snälla rara

Men snälla rara, låt mig köra om. Jag kommer missa flyget.

But pretty please, let me overtake you. I will miss my flight.

(idiomatic) please, pretty please (often as an expression of exasperation)

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see snälla, rara.


sassa brassa mandelmassa

sassa brassa (perhaps meaningless, though see brassa (and satsa)) + mandelmassa (“almond paste”)

Sassa brassa mandelmassa, vi vill höra nätet rassla!

Sassa brassa mandelmassa, we want to hear the net rustle! (football chant)

Sassa brassa mandelmassa! *Plums*
Sassa brassa mandelmassa (to gather courage)! *Jumps into the water*

(colloquial) An expression of getting psyched or the like.


du milde

du (“you”) + milde (“mild, gentle (one)”), "You the mild/gentle one"

(colloquial) Expresses astonishment; my goodness, good heavens


tack snälla

From tack (“thanks, thank you”) + snälla (“kind (definite)”). Perhaps short for "tack, snälla /" (which however sounds old-fashioned).

Tack snälla! Du har räddat min dag.

Thank you so much! You have saved my day.

thank you so much (expressing deep (sincere) gratitude)

tack så mycket

thank you very much, thanks a lot; same difference in tone


vyssan

From vyss (“"lull," as an interjection”) or vyssa (“lull”).


vyssan lull

vyss (“"lull," as an interjection”) or vyssa (“to lull”) + lull (“"lull," as an interjection”). Compare Danish visselulle (“to lull, to hushaby”).

cog

Byssan lull, koka kittelen [kitteln] full, där kommer tre vandringsmän på vägen. Byssan lull, koka kittelen [kitteln] full, där kommer tre vandringsmän på vägen. Den ene är så halt, den andre är så blind, den tredje har så trasiga kläder.

1936, Evert Taube (lyrics and music), “Byssan lull [variation, possibly inspired by byssan (“the galley”)]”:

Byssan lull, cook ["boil," but also used for cooking through boiling] the cauldron full, [over] there comes three wanderers on the road. Byssan lull, cook the cauldron full, [over] there comes three wanderers on the road. One is so halt [limping, lame], the other is so blind [sic – "so blind" sounds the same in Swedish], the third has such tattered clothes [Ene/andre is usually used of two people, like in English, but occasionally of more people].


fy bubblan

(colloquial) Euphemistic form of fy fan.


fy fabian

(minced oath, colloquial) Euphemistic form of fy fan.


poff

en utekväll och poff så var lönen borta

one night out and poof, the salary was gone

poof (onomatopoeia for a slight bang (with smoke), or figuratively of something disappearing)


tjänis

From tjänare + -is. The adjective is from the interjection.

(colloquial, now uncommon) Alternative form of tjenis


tjenis

From tjenare + -is. The adjective is from the interjection.

(colloquial, now uncommon) hey, howdy (a colloquial greeting)


svisch

Hon slog i luften med käppen. Svisch! Svisch!

She struck the air in front of her with her cane. Swish! Swish!


durå

Ah, me' durå? (Ja, men du då?)

(pronunciation spelling) Contraction of du då.


sprolla

From spela roll (“matter”), in phrases like "Det spelar ingen roll" (It doesn't matter) and "Spela roll!" (Couldn't care less!)


Gud nåde

From Gud (“God”) + nåde (“show mercy (only used in this expression)”), from nåd (“mercy”), as a verb in the present tense subjunctive.

af

Gud nåde den som vågar vara elak mot min ökenråtta

God help anyone [the one] who dares be mean to my gerbil

God help (someone) (expressing pity or figuratively a threat)

Gud nåde om man vågar uttrycka sin åsikt på det här företaget

God forbid [God help (you) if] you dare to express your opinion at this company


tut i luren

tut (“toot (interjection)”) + i (“in”) + luren (“the horn”)

Tut i luren! Senaste nytt.

Tut i luren, ditt fanskap!

Toot of the horn, you son of a bitch! [proposed translation of "Yippee ki-yay, motherfucker!"]

(humorous) Used to introduce an announcement or the like.


sjup

"Har du flickor på rummet?" sade han undrande.
"Sjup", sade Sebastian jakande, på typiskt norrländskt vis.

2016, Anna Lindberg, Sebastian : familjen, →ISBN, page 291:

"Do you have girls in the room?" he asked, wondering.
"Yup," Sebastian said affirmatively, in a typical northern Swedish manner.

(Northern dialect) yep, yup (affirmative answer)


hokuspokus

Internationalism (see English hocus-pocus).