Basic Words

1. Ja

   Yes

   Usage

   The shortest affirmative reply; use it to confirm anything

2. Nej

   No

   Usage

   The basic negative reply; also works to decline an offer

3. Snälla

   Please

   Usage

   Add it to any request or order; it also stands alone

   Grammar Note

   Swedish has no everyday "please"; you normally add "tack". "Snälla" sounds pleading

4. Tack så mycket

   Thank you

   Usage

   Use it everywhere: after paying, after getting directions

5. Ursäkta

   Excuse me

   Usage

   The opening word when you need a stranger's attention

   Grammar Note

   Used to get attention or to squeeze past someone

6. Förlåt

   Sorry

   Usage

   An apology after bumping into someone or making a mistake

   Grammar Note

   The apology proper; stronger than "Ursäkta"

7. Det är okej

   It's OK / I'm fine

   Usage

   Reply to an apology, or politely wave off offered help

8. Jag förstår inte

   I don't understand

   Usage

   Say it as soon as you lose the thread; people will rephrase

9. Jag förstår

   I understand

   Usage

   Confirms you followed an explanation

10. Jag är klar

    I'm finished / Done

    Usage

    Tell staff you have finished a meal or a procedure

    Grammar Note

    "Klar" means both "finished" and "ready"

11. Vänta lite, tack

    Please wait

    Usage

    Use it when you need the other person to hold on

12. Ett ögonblick

    Just a moment

    Usage

    A shorter, lighter version for a very brief pause

13. En vuxen, tack

    One adult, please

    Usage

    Say it at a ticket window or an entrance gate

14. Jag har ingen bokning

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    Tell a restaurant or hotel that you are a walk-in

    Grammar Note

    Negating a noun uses "ingen/inget", not "inte"

15. Jag har en bokning

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    Say it first at reception, then give your name

16. Hjälp mig, tack

    Please help me

    Usage

    For trouble or emergencies; a strong call for help

    Grammar Note

    In an emergency, shout "Hjälp!"

17. En gång till, tack

    Once more, please

    Usage

    Ask someone to repeat what you missed

18. Tala långsammare, tack

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    When the speech is too fast; people almost always oblige

19. Jag talar lite svenska

    I speak a little

    Usage

    Saying it early makes the other person slow down

    Grammar Note

    Say it early and people will slow down

20. Talar du engelska?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Your fallback when you get stuck; ask with the polite pronoun

    Grammar Note

    Swedish uses "du" with everyone; the old formal "ni" has fallen out of use

21. det här

    This one

    Usage

    Points at something near you — use it while pointing at a menu item or product

    Grammar Note

    It becomes "den här" with "en" nouns and "det här" with "ett" nouns; when the noun is unstated, "det här" is the safe default

22. det där

    That one

    Usage

    Points at something further away; Swedish has a two-way distinction only, so it covers both Japanese "sore" and "are"

    Grammar Note

    Use "den där" with "en" nouns and "det där" with "ett" nouns; add "där borta" (over there) to stress the distance

23. här

    Here

    Usage

    Marks where you are; "I'll get off here" is "Jag går av här"

    Grammar Note

    An adverb of place; motion towards the speaker uses a different word, "hit"

24. där

    There

    Usage

    Marks a spot away from you — best used while pointing at a map

    Grammar Note

    An adverb of place; motion towards that place uses a different word, "dit"

25. där borta

    Over there

    Usage

    Marks a distant spot within sight; use it together with a pointing gesture

    Grammar Note

    "Där" (there) + "borta" (away); plain "där" is used for somewhere closer

26. jag

    I / me

    Usage

    Refers to yourself, e.g. when sorting out who does what

    Grammar Note

    The subject form; the object form is "mig" and the possessives are "min / mitt / mina"

27. du

    You

    Usage

    Refers to the person you are talking to; in Sweden "du" is used with strangers and is not impolite

    Grammar Note

    The subject form; object "dig", possessives "din / ditt / dina". For more than one person use "ni"

28. tillsammans

    Together

    Usage

    Says you are one party — same table, same bill, travelling together; "we'll pay together" is "Vi betalar tillsammans"

    Grammar Note

    An adverb; the opposite at a till is "var för sig" (separately)

29. nu genast

    Right now

    Usage

    Stresses urgency; "I need a doctor right now" is "Jag behöver en läkare nu genast"

    Grammar Note

    "Nu" (now) intensified by "genast" (at once); a plainer "right away" is "med en gång"

30. en person

    One person

    Usage

    Gives your party size at a restaurant or counter; "just me" is "Bara jag"

    Grammar Note

    "Person" is an "en" word; party sizes are given as a numeral plus "person(er)"

31. två personer

    Two people

    Usage

    Asks for a table or room for two; "there are two of us" is "Vi är två"

    Grammar Note

    The plural is "personer"; a table for two is "ett bord för två"

32. tre personer

    Three people

    Usage

    Asks for a table or room for three

    Grammar Note

    The numeral "tre" does not inflect; "there are three of us" is "Vi är tre"

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