Useful Swedish words and phrases for visitors to Stockholm

Learning a few Swedish words can make your visit to Stockholm smoother – although you’ll get by just fine in Stockholm with English, as most Swedes speak it well. But sometimes it’s just fun to understand what you see on signs and menus.

Here are some useful ones to look out for:

Hej (pronounced “hey”)

The everyday greeting. Swedes use “hej” for hello, and you’ll hear it everywhere – from shops to cafés.

Tack (pronounced “tahk”)

Means “thank you.” Easy to remember and always appreciated.

Gata / gatan (pronounced “gah-ta”)

“Gata” means street, while “gatan” means “the street.” You’ll notice this in names like Drottninggatan (Queen Street).

Rea (pronounced rhe-ah)

Sale. Commonly combined with seasons or holidays, like “sommarrea” (summer sale) or “julrea” (Christmas sale).

Slutsåld (pronounced “sloot-sold”)

Means “out of stock” or “finished.” So if you see “Slutsåld,” it means sold out.

Swish

A mobile payment system that most Swedes use. Some smaller shops and food stalls might only accept Swish, though it requires a Swedish bank account, so visitors usually can’t use it.

Toalett

Toilet or restroom. Often shortened to just “WC” on signs.

Ingång / Utgång

Entrance and exit. Useful when finding your way in larger buildings.

Kassa (pronounced “kahs-sa”)

Checkout or cash register. Signs point you to where you pay in a store or café.

Vinterunderhålles ej

Literally “no winter maintenance.” You’ll see this on paths or stairways that aren’t cleared of snow or ice in winter.

Tryck / Dra

Push and pull. Look for these on doors—handy to avoid that awkward moment.

Stängt / Öppet

Closed and open. Most shops display these on their doors.

Fika (pronounced fee-ka)

A cultural favorite. Fika means taking a break with coffee, often with something sweet like a cinnamon bun. More than just a snack, it’s a social ritual.

Välkommen (pronounced vell-kom-men)

Means “welcome.” A friendly word you’ll see on shop doors and menus.

Quick tips for pronunciation

Swedish pronunciation can look tricky, but a few basics help:

  • Hej is pronounced like “hey.”
  • Tack sounds like “tahk,” with a short, crisp “a.”
  • The letter å (as in “Ingång”) sounds a bit like the “o” in “long.”
  • Ä is pronounced like the “a” in “cat,” and ö is similar to the “i” in “bird.”
  • The letter j is pronounced like “y” in English, so “Julrea” (Christmas sale) sounds like “yool-rea.”

You don’t need to master the details, but trying a few words adds a nice local touch and is always appreciated.

Related articles

Skyline of Riddarholmen, Stockholm

Ultimate guide to Stockholm: What every visitor needs to know

Central Station Interior

Travel to Stockholm by train

Viking Line

Travel to Stockholm by boat

Leave a Comment