Using offensive language or insulting people isn’t usually the best idea. But things can get a little tricky when it comes to Swedish. Sweden is known for being really progressive and open-minded, and their language shows it with gender-neutral pronouns and inclusive words.
That said, you probably won’t hear a lot of swearing in public there. And if you do, it’s likely an English word since Swedes also mix those in a lot because when Swedes swear, it’s only when they’re really freaking angry!
Let me tell you about some of the worst Swedish curse words you don’t want to use, whether you’re visiting from another country or a native Swede. We’ve got helvete, satan, fy, fan, skit, and jävla(r). I’ll also include a few less common ones so that you know what’s best to avoid saying!
Helvete = Hell
Helvete is a Swedish word that means hell in English. It’s definitely considered a strong, curse word and not something you’d usually say around polite company. That said, there are times when it could fit.
Like if you stubbed your toe really bad and it hurt something fierce, you might yell out “Helvete!” Just to show how frustrated you were in the moment. Same thing if someone did something to really tick you off – you could say it to make clear just how angry they made you.
Since it’s basically the same as the English “hell,” I think Helvete would be easy enough to remember if you ever find yourself in Sweden. It rolls off the tongue similar and everything so it shouldn’t be too hard to pick up.
Satan = Satan
The word Satan, it comes from Christianity and basically means the devil or something evil. And they use it the same way in Sweden – it’s pronounced like “sah-tahn”.
But a lot of times in Sweden, they’ll use it as just a casual swear word. Like if someone lost their keys and got mad, they may say “Satan!” just as a way to show they’re annoyed or frustrated. Or if they heard some crazy news that shocked them, they could say “Satan!” to show how surprised they are.
It’s pretty common to hear people use Satan as just a casual swear in Sweden, it’s not really seen as that vulgar or offensive. Kind of like how in English we may say “damn” or “heck” – it’s not the worst thing ever. So, while it’s not super rude, maybe it’s better not to use it just to be safe.
Jävlar = F*uck
The word “Jävlar” is kind of tricky. It literally means “devils,” but it’s actually used more like our F-word sometimes. It’s about as bad as Swedish curse words get. Unless you really have to use it, it’s probably best to steer clear. And if you’re ever pissed off about something, you could say “Jävla skit” instead. That one means something like “bloody hell.”
Examples of use:
Jag hatar dessa jävla myggor! – I hate these fu*king mosquitoes!
Den här jävla läxan är så svår! – This f*ucking homework is so hard!
Fan = Damn, Heck
The Swedish word “fan” is kind of like our word “dang” or “heck.” You can use it in all sorts of situations. It can show you’re frustrated, disappointed, angry – even surprised!
It also works like we might say “freaking” to make something stronger. But it’s not too rude. You could probably hear someone say it walking down the street.
When would you use it? Like if you’re stuck in traffic running late, you’d be all “fan!” because you’re frustrated. Or if you missed your bus or train, you’d say “fan!” since you’re disappointed or annoyed. Another one – you come home and papers are everywhere because you left the window open, so you’d be like “va fan?” which means “what the heck?!”
Skit = S*it, Dirt, Feces
Another Swedish word, “skit”, is like the English word “s*it”. They look the same when written out but are said a little differently. There’s not a ton to say about it, but it’s worth noting that you can combine it with other words for extra effect.
Like “Jävla skit” means “fuc**ng s*it.” Or you could say “Badrummet är fullt av skit” and that would come out as “The bathroom is full of s*it”. So, it’s a versatile word that carries the same meaning as its English counterpart.
Fy (fan) = Ugh
“Fy” basically means “ugh” or “eww” – like when something really grosses you out. Swedes will say just “fy” by itself. But they also combine it with other words to express different things.
A pretty common one is “fy fan”. That directly translates to “ugh, damn” but really means more like “ugh, gross” or “ugh, I can’t believe it”. Swedes will use that phrase when something really disgusts them or makes them angry. It’s considered a little stronger language too. So if you’re ever in Sweden and someone says “fy fan” around you, they’re probably not too happy about whatever just happened!
Other Swear Words
Hora/slampa/slyna means wh*re or b*tch (source: Swedish swear words on Reddit)
Horunge translates to a son of a b*tch.
Fjolla or bög means fag*ot, and it’s an especially offensive word for men from the gay community.
Skitstövel means an as*hole.
So, did you already know any of those words? If not, was it hard to guess what they might mean? Swedish is, at least when it comes to writing, quite similar to English in some ways, so it shouldn’t be an issue for native English speakers.
Read Also:
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