Using offensive language usually isn’t the best move. Still, when you’re learning a new language, curiosity tends to wander into the swear-word zone pretty quickly. Swedish can be especially confusing in this area.
Sweden has a reputation for being progressive and open-minded, and that shows in the language itself through gender-neutral pronouns and inclusive expressions. Swearing, however, is a different story.
You generally won’t hear people swearing loudly in public. And when you do, it’s often English. Swedes do swear, but usually only when they’re genuinely angry, shocked, or frustrated.
Below is a list of some of the most common and strongest Swedish swear words and insults. Whether you’re visiting Sweden or you’re a native speaker, these are words you’ll probably want to recognize rather than actively use.
Helvete = Hell
Helvete literally means hell, and it works almost exactly the same way as in English. It’s considered a strong swear word and isn’t something you’d normally hear in polite conversation.
That said, people still use it in moments of frustration. If you stub your toe badly or something suddenly goes wrong, shouting “Helvete!” wouldn’t be unusual. It’s a way to express irritation or pain rather than to insult someone directly.
Because it sounds and feels similar to the English word hell, it’s one of the easiest Swedish swear words to remember.
Satan = Satan
The word Satan comes straight from Christianity and refers to the devil. In Swedish, it’s pronounced more like sah-tahn.
In everyday language, though, it’s often used casually. Someone might say “Satan!” after losing their keys, hearing unexpected news, or reacting to something annoying. In these situations, it functions more like damn than anything deeply religious.
It’s fairly common and not seen as extremely offensive, but it’s still not something you’d want to throw around without knowing the context.
Jävlar = F*ck
Jävlar is one of the stronger Swedish swear words. Literally, it means devils, but in real usage it’s closer to the English F-word.
It’s often used to emphasize anger or annoyance and can easily cross into rude territory. If you’re unsure, it’s better to avoid using it altogether.
You’ll often hear it combined with other words, like jävla skit, which roughly translates to bloody hell or fcking mess*.
Examples:
- Jag hatar dessa jävla myggor! – I hate these f*cking mosquitoes!
- Den här jävla läxan är så svår! – This f*cking homework is so hard!
Fan = Damn, Heck
Fan is one of the most commonly used Swedish swear words and is relatively mild. It’s comparable to dang or heck in English, though it can still sound harsh depending on tone.
People use it to express frustration, disappointment, anger, or surprise. You’ll hear it on the street, in conversations, and even in casual settings.
For example, if you miss your bus, get stuck in traffic, or realize you’ve forgotten something important, saying “fan” would feel natural to a native speaker. You might also hear va fan?, which translates to what the heck?
Skit = S*it, Dirt, Feces
The word skit looks almost identical to the English shit and carries a very similar meaning. It can refer to literal dirt or feces, but it’s also used as a swear word.
It’s frequently combined with other words for emphasis. Jävla skit means something like fcking shit*, while a sentence like Badrummet är fullt av skit translates to The bathroom is full of shit.
It’s versatile, blunt, and best used with caution.
Fy (fan) = Ugh
Fy is closer to ugh or ew. It’s an expression of disgust and can be used on its own.
A common phrase is fy fan, which literally translates to ugh, damn, but in practice means something closer to that’s disgusting or that’s awful. People use it when something really bothers or repulses them.
It’s stronger than plain fy and usually signals genuine irritation or disgust.
Other Swedish Swear Words And Insults
Here are additional Swedish insults and swear words you might come across. Many of them are highly offensive and should be treated as such.
- Hora / slampa / slyna – whre or btch
- Horunge – son of a b*tch
- Fjolla / bög – highly offensive slurs, especially toward gay men
- Skitstövel – asshole
- Kärring – old hag (derogatory term for a woman)
- Idiot – idiot
- Dumma fan – dumbass
- Rövhål – asshole
- Pucko – moron
- Fitta – extremely vulgar term for vagina
- Äckel – disgusting person
- Sug kuk – suck c*ck
- Din jävel – you bastard
- Kuksugare – cocks*cker
- Fetknopp – fathead, used for someone dense
- Skithög – piece of sh*t
- Knäppskalle – nutcase
- Håll käften – shut up
Did you already recognize any of these words? Swedish shares a lot of similarities with English, especially in writing, which makes it easier for English speakers to guess meanings even when they probably shouldn’t be using the words themselves.
Read Also:
Easy Elsie, Lancaster, Plane Crash Site (Sweden) Photos & How To Get There
Travel Words That Start With S (Adjectives, Verbs, Nouns, Countries)
