Lesson two | Swency

Lesson Two

Fika is a concept in Swedish culture with the basic meaning “to have coffee”, often accompanied with pastries, cookies or pie. A more contemporary generalised meaning of the word, where the coffee may be replaced by tea or even juice, lemonade or saft for children, has become widespread. In some social circles, even just a sandwich or a small meal may be denoted a fika similar to the English concept of afternoon tea. In Sweden pastries in general (for example cinnamon buns) are often referred to as fikabröd (“fika bread”).

The Swedish tradition is spreading through Swedish businesses around the world.

Source: Wikipedia

In our second practice session, you are going to learn more useful words and expressions that are essential in everyday life while learning a foreign language.

You can find the explanations by clicking here.

Vad heter du?

What is your name?

Jag heter Eva.

My name is Eva.

Hej!

Hi!

Vad betyder ordet adjö?

What does the word adjö mean?

Hej då!

Good-bye!

Det betyder hej då.

It means hej då.

Det vet jag inte.

I don’t know this/that. – with emphasis on ”this/that.” In writing it can look like this: “This/That I don’t know.”

Jag har glömt det.

I have forgotten (it/this/that).

Jag vet inte.

I don’t know.

Jag minns inte.

I don’t remember.

Jag kommer inte ihåg.

I can’t recall it.

Vad heter girl på svenska?

How do you say girl in Swedish?

Det heter flicka.

It’s called flicka. Or: We say flicka.

Förstår du?

Do you understand?

Nej, jag förstår inte.

No, I don’t understand.

Det har jag ingen aning om.

About this/that, I have no clue!

Hur säger man girl på svenska?

How do you say girl in Swedish?

Man säger flicka.

It’s called flicka. Or: We say flicka.

Ja, jag förstår.

Yes, I understand.

Jag fattar.

I got it.

Kan du tala lite långsammare?

Can you speak a bit slower?

Vad sa du?

What did you say?

Nej, jag fattar inte.

No, I didn’t get it.

Förlåt, vad sa du?

Sorry, what did you say?

Kan du repetera, tack?

Can you repeat it, please?

Säg det en gång till!

Say it again!

Säg det en gång till! / Say it again!

In English we always add “please”. To be on the safe side, we suggest that you say “Säg de ten gång till, tack.” Please, be prepared though, that in Swedish it is not considered rude to leave “tack” out in many of these kinds of sentences provided that you use the correct intonation! So when you hear a sentence like this without “tack” at the end, do not take it as if they are giving you an order. They are asking you nicely.
So just listen and learn the intonation and try not to get offended. You will get used to it. As said, as a beginner, we suggest that you add “tack” when you use such sentences, until you master the intonation of asking. Otherwise, you yourself risk sounding rude, ordering people around.
We will talk a bit more about both of the meanings of “tack,” and how we use it, next week.