Svenska · Swedish
Learn Swedish vocabulary
Two genders (en/ett); melody and stress matter.
Swedish is a North Germanic language. Nouns fall into two groups (en and ett), and the definite article is attached to the end of the word. The language has a distinctive melody, so learning by ear helps.
There is a degree of mutual intelligibility with Norwegian and Danish, an advantage if you plan to study more than one Scandinavian language.
What to know
- Nouns are en or ett.
- The definite article attaches to the end of the noun.
- Shares a good amount of vocabulary with Norwegian and Danish.
Study tips
- Learn nouns with en/ett.
- Listen to get used to the melody.
- Note similarities with other Scandinavian languages.
Where is it spoken?
Swedish is spoken in Sweden and is an official language in Finland.
Pronunciation and spelling notes
Swedish words carry a kind of melodic tone difference (pitch accent). The "sj" and "tj" sounds are hard, "k" and "g" soften before front vowels (e, i, y, ä, ö) and "å, ä, ö" are separate vowels.
Which languages help?
It is a close relative of Norwegian and Danish with a degree of mutual intelligibility, and shares Germanic roots with German and English.
A roadmap for your first week
In week one, start with greetings, numbers and everyday words, and learn each noun with "en" or "ett". Swedish has a distinctive melody; listen to words to catch the rhythm of sentences.
Common mistakes
- Skipping the en/ett distinction; the definite article is added to the end of the word (en bok → boken), which makes it matter.
- Guessing sounds (for example "sj", "tj") from spelling alone.
- Assuming look-alikes: "rolig" means fun, not related to "role".
A small sample word list
| Swedish | English |
|---|---|
| hej | hello |
| tack | thank you |
| snälla | please |
| vatten | water |
| ett hus | house |
| en vän | friend |
| ja | yes |
| nej | no |
| bra | good |
| idag | today |
This list is our own; it is not an official list and only gives a feel for the first steps in this language.
Studying Swedish in Frigya
When you add Swedish in Frigya, you choose a separate level (A1–C2) and daily word goal for it. In Discover you meet new words and in Learn you reinforce them with spaced repetition; you can listen to words and example sentences. You can start without an account.
Frequently asked questions
Do Swedish, Norwegian and Danish understand each other?
Why is the definite article at the end of the word in Swedish?
In Frigya you choose a separate level (A1–C2) and daily word goal for this language. For details see the levels guide.
Learn this language in Frigya
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