Markets & Souvenirs

1. Hur mycket kostar det här?

   How much does this cost?

   Usage

   The most basic phrase for asking the price at a market or souvenir shop

   Grammar Note

   "Det här" is the neuter demonstrative "this". It works for most items

2. Kan man pruta här?

   Can I bargain here?

   Usage

   Checking whether bargaining is accepted

   Grammar Note

   "Pruta" is the Swedish verb for haggling. Regular Swedish shops usually have fixed prices

3. Jag erbjuder femtio kronor.

   I'll offer fifty kronor

   Usage

   Proposing a counter-price during bargaining

   Grammar Note

   "Erbjuder" is the present tense of "erbjuda" (to offer). Change the amount as needed

4. Kan jag få rabatt?

   Can I get a discount?

   Usage

   Directly asking for a discount

   Grammar Note

   "Kan jag få" is the standard polite request "can I get / have"

5. Är det handgjort?

   Is this handmade?

   Usage

   Asking whether a craft item is handmade

   Grammar Note

   "Handgjort" is the neuter form. Use "handgjord" for common-gender nouns

6. Vilket material är det gjort av?

   What material is this made of?

   Usage

   Asking about the material of crafts or clothing

   Grammar Note

   "Gjort av" is a passive construction meaning "made of"

7. Kan ni slå in det som en present?

   Can you gift-wrap this?

   Usage

   Requesting gift wrapping

   Grammar Note

   "Slå in" is a phrasal verb meaning "to wrap". "Som en present" means "as a gift"

8. Var ligger nattmarknaden?

   Where is the night market?

   Usage

   Asking the location of a night market

   Grammar Note

   "Ligger" is the present tense of "ligga" (to lie / be located)

9. Kan jag få ett kvitto?

   Can I have a receipt?

   Usage

   Requesting a receipt

   Grammar Note

   Swedish consumer law requires sellers to provide receipts upon request. "kvitto" covers both the till slip and a receipt for expenses

10. Vilka öppettider har marknaden?

    What are the market's opening hours?

    Usage

    Asking about market opening hours

    Grammar Note

    "Öppettider" is plural for "opening hours". Swedish markets are often only open on weekends

11. Jag tittar bara, tack.

    I'm just looking, thank you

    Usage

    Politely declining a shopkeeper's approach

    Grammar Note

    "Bara" adds the nuance of "just / merely doing something"

12. Tar ni kort?

    Do you accept card payment?

    Usage

    Asking if card payment is accepted

    Grammar Note

    Sweden is a cashless leader; card payment is widely accepted even at market stalls

13. Det här är en souvenir till någon jag känner.

    This is a souvenir for someone I know

    Usage

    Telling the seller the item is a gift for someone

    Grammar Note

    "Någon jag känner" is a relative clause meaning "someone I know"

14. Kan ni skicka det utomlands?

    Can this be shipped internationally?

    Usage

    Asking about international shipping for larger items

    Grammar Note

    "Utomlands" is an adverb meaning "abroad / overseas"

15. Vad är er bästa vara?

    What is your best item?

    Usage

    Asking the seller for their top recommendation

    Grammar Note

    "Bästa" is the superlative of "bra" (good). "Er" is the polite possessive "your"

16. Går det att förhandla om priset?

    Is this price negotiable?

    Usage

    Asking whether the listed price can be lowered

    Grammar Note

    "Går det att〜" is an impersonal expression for "is it possible to〜"

17. Har ni en annan storlek?

    Do you have a different size?

    Usage

    Looking for a different size of clothing or goods

    Grammar Note

    "Annan storlek" means "another size". Use "större" (bigger) or "mindre" (smaller) to be specific

18. Det här är för dyrt.

    This is too expensive

    Usage

    Politely indicating the price is too high

    Grammar Note

    "För" as an adverb means "too". "Dyrt" is the neuter form of "dyr" (expensive)

19. frukt

    Fruit

    Usage

    Ask for the fruit section at a market or supermarket

    Grammar Note

    An "en" word, definite "frukten", plural "frukter"; vegetables are "grönsaker"

20. ost

    Cheese

    Usage

    Buy cheese, or check whether a dish contains it

    Grammar Note

    An "en" word, definite "osten", plural "ostar"; it counts as a dairy product for allergy purposes

21. yoghurt

    Yoghurt

    Usage

    Buy yoghurt; the distinctly Swedish soured milk "filmjölk" sits on the same shelf

    Grammar Note

    An "en" word, definite "yoghurten"; also spelled "yogurt"

22. vitlök

    Garlic

    Usage

    Buy garlic, or check whether a dish contains it

    Grammar Note

    An "en" word, definite "vitlöken"; literally "white onion", but a different thing from "lök" (onion)

23. lök

    Onion

    Usage

    Buy onions or have them left out; "without onion" is "utan lök"

    Grammar Note

    An "en" word, definite "löken", plural "lökar". Alone it means onion, but it is also the umbrella term for the whole allium family, so specify "rödlök" (red onion) or "purjolök" (leek)

24. chili

    Chilli

    Usage

    Buy chilli or check what makes a dish hot; "without chilli" is "utan chili"

    Grammar Note

    An "en" word, definite "chilin"; the powder is "chilipulver". Not the same as "peppar" (pepper)

25. koriander

    Coriander / cilantro

    Usage

    Buy coriander or have it left out; say "färsk koriander" when you mean the fresh leaf

    Grammar Note

    An "en" word, definite "koriandern". The same word covers both the leaf and the seed, so use "färsk koriander" for the herb and "korianderfrön" for the spice

26. ingefära

    Ginger

    Usage

    Buy ginger, including for a hot ginger drink when you are unwell

    Grammar Note

    An "en" word, definite "ingefäran"; familiar as a spice in "pepparkakor" (gingerbread)

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