Slang

1. Tjena

   Hey

   Usage

   A casual hello for friends and people your own age, sometimes lengthened to "tjenare". With staff or an older stranger, plain "hej" is safer — and "hej" works with absolutely anyone in Sweden

2. Läget?

   How's it going?

   Usage

   Literally "the situation?", short for "hur är läget?". For someone you already know and roughly your own age — not for strangers or seniors. "Bra" is a complete answer

3. Vi ses

   See you

   Usage

   Literally "we see each other". Relaxed but never rude, so it works with friends and shop staff alike. "Hej då" is the more neutral goodbye

4. Det är lugnt

   It's all good

   Usage

   Literally "it is calm". It answers an apology with "no worries" and a request with "sure". Casual but not impolite — fine to say to a barista

5. Ingen fara

   No problem

   Usage

   Literally "no danger" — what you say to reassure someone after a small bump. Safe with anyone, including people older than you

6. Nja

   Well… not really

   Usage

   A blend of "nej" and "ja" — neither yes nor a flat no. Perfect for declining an invitation without bluntness. Usable with anyone, though at work you should follow it with a reason

7. typ

   like / sort of

   Usage

   Used exactly like conversational English "like", and also to hedge numbers: "typ tio minuter" — about ten minutes. Everywhere in speech, but keep it out of writing and out of work

8. Grymt

   Awesome

   Usage

   Literally "cruelly", but in speech it is pure praise. Because it only compliments, it never offends — good for food and views

9. Najs

   Nice

   Usage

   English "nice" respelled the Swedish way, now standard in younger speech and messaging. For friends your own age — at work say "bra"

10. Mysigt

    Cosy

    Usage

    Praise for a place or an evening, close to Danish "hygge". Safe with anyone, and a café or guesthouse owner will be pleased to hear it

11. Lagom

    Just right

    Usage

    The famously Swedish word for "neither too much nor too little" — usable of quantities, temperature, taste, even a way of life. Safe with anyone, and knowing it always starts a conversation

12. Fika

    To have a coffee break

    Usage

    Both a verb and a noun for sitting down with coffee and something sweet. "Ska vi fika?" works with friends and colleagues alike, and in a Swedish workplace it is a daily institution

13. Fredagsmys

    Cosy Friday night in

    Usage

    The national habit of Friday evening at home with snacks and the family. Every Swede knows it and it is safe with anyone: "vi ska ha fredagsmys" — we're having a cosy night in

14. Chilla

    To chill

    Usage

    From English "chill" — doing nothing in particular. The imperative "chilla!" means "calm down", which only works with close friends. With anyone older, say "slappna av"

15. Hänga

    To hang out

    Usage

    Literally "to hang". "Ska vi hänga i helgen?" invites someone to hang out at the weekend. For peers — at work say "träffas"

16. Käka

    To eat (casual)

    Usage

    "Ska vi käka lunch?" — shall we grab lunch? Keep it to friends your own age; with restaurant staff or at work use "äta"

17. Plugga

    To study

    Usage

    The casual version of "studera", but so established that every student uses it. "Jag pluggar svenska" is a perfectly good line in a self-introduction

18. Fixa

    To sort it out

    Usage

    "Jag fixar det" — I'll handle it — is extremely common. Casual but not impolite, and fine with colleagues

19. Jobbigt

    Tough / A hassle

    Usage

    From "jobb" (work), and useful as a sympathetic response to someone's difficult situation. Aim it at situations, not people — calling a person "jobbig" is a criticism

20. Orkar inte

    I can't be bothered

    Usage

    "Orka" means to have the energy for something and has no single English equivalent. Fine as an excuse among friends, but it sounds rude at work or to anyone senior

21. Kompis

    Mate / Buddy

    Usage

    Casual "friend". It is for talking about someone, not for addressing them. Safe to use with anyone

22. Taggad

    Psyched / Fired up

    Usage

    "Jag är taggad!" — I'm pumped. Common before sport or an event. For friends your own age; at work say "jag ser fram emot det"

Browse all TravelPhrases languages