Here are some basic Swedish phrases which you can use in everyday conversation, as well as some common words you will see on signs.
| Tack | Thanks (can also have the sense of "please" when used at the end of a request) |
| Tack så mycket | Thanks very much |
The following are some polite ways you can reply to someone who thanks you:
| Var så god | You're welcome |
| Det var så lite | Don't mention it (literally: that was so little) |
| Ingen orsak | Not at all |
Saying hello and goodbye
Here are some different ways to greet people:
| Hejsan | Hi (informal) |
| hej or hej hej | Hello |
| God dag | Hello (literally: "good day"; can be used any time from morning until around 5pm) |
| God morgon | Good morning (used until around 11am) |
| God förmiddag | Good morning (used from around 11am until noon) |
| God middag | Good afternoon (used around noon) |
| God eftermiddag | Good afternoon (used from noon until around 5pm) |
| God kväll | Good evening (used from around 5pm) |
The following expressions, on the other hand, are some different things you can say when saying goodbye:
| hej or hej hej | Bye |
| Hejdå | Bye |
| Adjö | Goodbye |
| Godnatt | Goodnight |
| Vi ses! | See you! |
| Vi ses snart! | See you soon! |
| Vi ses senare! | See you later! |
| Ha en trevlig dag! | Have a nice day! |
| Ha en bra dag! | Have a good day! |
| Trevlig helg! | Have a good weekend! |
Getting someone's attention and apologising
| Ursäkta mig | Excuse me (can be used to get someone's attention, to get past someone, or to apologise) |
| ursäkta or Förlåt | Sorry |
If someone apologises to you, you can reply using one of the following expressions:
| Inga problem | No problem |
| Det är ok | It's OK |
| Det gör inget or Ingen fara | Don't worry about it |
Making yourself understood
| Talar du svenska? | Do you speak Swedish? |
| Talar du engelska? | Do you speak English? |
| Jag pratar inte svenska | I don't speak Swedish |
| Jag pratar lite svenska | I speak a little Swedish |
| Jag pratar väldigt lite svenska | I speak very little Swedish |
| Var snäll och tala långsammare | Please speak more slowly |
| Var snäll och skriv ner det | Please write it down |
| Kan du vara snäll och upprepa det? | Could you please repeat that? |
| Jag förstår | I understand |
| Jag förstår inte | I don't understand |
Other basic phrases
| Jag vet | I know |
| Jag vet inte | I don't know |
| Ursäkta mig, var är toaletten? | Excuse me, where's the toilet? |
Things you might see
| Ingång | Entrance |
| Utgång | Exit |
| Nödutgång | Emergency exit |
| Toalett | Toilets |
| WC | WC |
| Herrar | Gentlemen |
| Damer | Ladies |
| Ledig | Vacant |
| Upptagen | Occupied |
| Ur function | Out of order |
| Rökning förbjuden | No smoking |
| Privat | Private |
| Ingen ingång | No entry |
