25 Common Swedish Idioms to Get You Talking Like a Native

Swedish idioms defy stereotypes. You’ve probably heard that Swedes are direct, difficult to get to know and aren’t known for their sense of humor, right? Well, in some cases that might be true.

But when it comes to learning Swedish, you’ve got to master the idioms in order to row the devil to land. Yep, I said what I said.

There are two Swedish words for “idiom”. Helpfully, one of them is “idiom”. The other is “ordspråk” (literally, word-language). And that’s probably just as well, because Swedish idioms make up a whole new language all on their own. 

Some of these will make sense with little explanation. Others will have you scratching your head (or looking like a birdhouse). Here are 25 Swedish idioms you can use to sound like a native Svenne – let’s get started!

1. Göra en björntjänst

Translation: Doing a bear-favor

One of the best Swedish idioms to know is “doing a bear-favor”. As adorable as it sounds, it’s not something you want – and you want to avoid giving them, if you can help it.

A bear-favor is a well-intended favor that ends with unfavorable consequences. Make sense? Here’s an example. 

Example:

– Oj, du har en geting i ansiktet. Stå stilla, jag ska vifta bort den!
– Aj! Den stickade mig när du slog mig i ögat. Tack för björntjänsten…

– Oh no, you have a wasp on your face. Stand still, I’ll waft it away!
– Ouch! It stung me when you smacked my eye. Thanks for nothing…

2. Lägga rabarber på

Translation: To put rhubarbs on…(something)

When you “put rhubarbs on” something in Swedish, you’re actually not putting anything on anywhere. This Swedish idiom means to take something that isn’t yours but not in a bad way. It’s a friendly phrase that is similar to “get your mitts on” in English. And why rhubarbs? 

Well, it actually comes from the Spanish word “embargo”, which sounds similar (but not really) in Swedish to “rhubarbs”. Basically, someone overheard it, misinterpreted it, and it’s still what we say today!

Example:

– Jasså, du la rabarber på sista tårtbiten!

– I see, you’ve taken the last piece of cake!

3. Se ut som en fågelholk

Translation: Look like a birdhouse

When you have juicy news that shocks, surprises or astounds someone, you can tell them they look like a birdhouse in Swedish. Why? Because the gap or doorway where the birds feed from looks like an ‘o’ and so does a mouth when it’s surprised. Apparently.

Example: 

– Berättade jag att jag vann 80 miljoner på lotteriet?
– ….
– Du ser ut som en fågelholk! 

– Did I tell you that I won 80 million on the lottery?
– ….
– Your face says it all!

4. Få vatten på sin kvarn

Translation: Get water on your mill

This is one of the oldest Swedish idioms to still be in use. If you get “water on your mill” then you get evidence or back up for something you say. Essentially, you are proved correct about something.

Example:

– Ingen trodde på vad han sa först men nu verkar det som om han får vatten på sin kvarn.

– Nobody believed him at first but now it looks as though he’s going to be proved right.

5. Vara blåögd

Translation: To have blue eyes

This Swedish idiom is tricky. Why is someone telling you what eye color another person has? Chances are, they aren’t. When Swedes describe someone as “blåögd”, they’re calling someone naive.

Example:

– Såg du skylten? Det står att man kan få ett hus gratis!
– Vara inte så blåögd. Det är en bluff!

– Did you see that sign? It says you can get a house for free!
– Don’t be so naive. It’s a scam!

6. Fastnat med skägget i brevlådan

Translation: Gotten your beard stuck in a postbox

Have you gotten yourself into a scrape? Well, here’s one of the best Swedish idioms to cover just about any bad situation.

Picture it: a letterbox opens from the outside, so you can put letters through it. If your beard gets stuck, pulling your head back won’t free it. Nightmare!

So next time you’re “in a pickle”, remember; your beard is stuck in a letterbox, what could be worse!?

Example:

– Jag råkade skicka SMS till fel person. Nu har min chef läst att jag tycker han skrattar som en höna…
– Oj då. Du har fastnat med skägget i brevlådan! 

– I accidentally sent a text to the wrong person! Now my boss knows I think he laughs like a chicken…
– Oops. You’re in a bad predicament!

7. Slå en sjua

Translation: To hit a seven

Apologies to the easily offended. Skip to the next one if that applies to you! This one has to be included because it’s highly amusing for those with vivid imaginations. When a Swede “hits a seven”, then he (this phrase only really applies to men) is peeing.

Why seven? Well, when men stand at a urinal, they usually stand with their feet apart, and the stream of urine goes forward and then down. Just like a seven. You. Are. Welcome. Why am I telling you this? Well, Swedes are very verbal about their bodily functions and you’ll have to like it or lump it.

Example:

– Jag måste slå en sjua.

– I have to pee.

8. Skita i det blå skåpet

Translation: Poop in the blue cupboard

Yes, Swedish people really will accuse you of pooping in the blue cupboard. As far as Swedish idioms go, this has to be one of the strangest. If someone has pooped in the blue cupboard, then they’ve really messed up.

Don’t concern yourself about the origins of this one. Nobody really knows where it came from, but if you’re interested, there are two main theories. First, when execution was still a punishment for crimes in Sweden, the condemned would be allowed to take a strong shot before the execution. It’s said that they would place their empty glass in a blue cupboard in a pub that used to be on Götgatan, in Stockholm. 

Second, blue paint used to be extremely expensive back in the day. Most Swedish people could only afford red paint. When blue paint became cheaper, people painted the cupboard containing fancy china blue. So, if you were to poop in the fancy cupboard, well, you’d be a bit of an idiot. Which theory do you prefer?

Example:

– Kan du göra mig en tjänst? Jag har tappat bort min nyckel och det snöar ute. 
– Nu har du skitit i det blå skåpet. Jag sitter på flygplatsen på väg till Venedig!

– Can you do me a favor? I’ve lost my key and it’s snowing outside.
– Dang, that’s unfortunate. I’m on my way to the airport to go to Venice!

9. Här ligger en hund begraven

Translation: There’s a dog buried here

Don’t worry, you’re not an unknowing guest at a dog’s funeral. “There’s a dog buried here” is a Swedish idiom that is synonymous with the English “there’s something fishy going on”.

Basically, you’re suspicious that something underhand is taking place. 

There’s a similar phrase in German: “Da liegt ein Hund begrabe” (A dog is buried over there) which implies that the answer is within grasp. Which isn’t quite the same, but some linguists think they might be related.

Either way, in Swedish, it means that something stinks and you’re not sure what.

Example:

– Har du läst alla dina läxor?
– Ja mamma. Och jag har städat mitt rum, tömt diskmaskinen och packat min väska inför skolan imorgon.
– Hm. Här ligger en hund begraven. Behöver du pengar eller har du rånat en bank?

– Have you done all your homework?
– Yes, mom. And I’ve tidied my room, emptied the dishwasher and packed my bag for school tomorrow.
– Hm, something’s fishy. Do you need money or have you robbed a bank?

10. Alla känner apan, apan känner ingen

Translation: Everyone knows the monkey, the monkey knows nobody

Ah, one of my all time favorite Swedish idioms. This idiom speaks to anyone who is a teacher, public figure, or has hundreds of acquaintances. Essentially, everyone has heard of someone, but that someone doesn’t know any of the people who know them.

This phrase is also sometimes used to describe a situation where everyone knows news about somebody, but that “somebody” is none the wiser. For example, everyone in the office knows that “the monkey” is about to be fired, but “the monkey” thinks it’s just a normal day at work. Ouch.

Example:

– Hon har typ femtio tusen följare på Instagram.
– Ja, men hon har inga vänner på riktigt.
– Synd, apan känner alla men apan känner ingen. 

– She has, like, fifty thousand followers on Instagram.
– Yeah, but she has no friends in real life.
– What a shame, everyone knows her but she knows nobody.

11. Vara ute och cyklar

Translation: To be out riding a bike

Sure, someone really could be out riding a bike. But in most contexts, this phrase simply means “or am I crazy?” This essential Swedish idiom comes up in all sorts of places, at work, school, home and in everyday conversations. 

Someone might ask you if they are out riding a bike, or tell you that someone else is. In the first instance, they mean “or am I crazy?” In the second instance, they’re telling you that someone most certainly is, bonkers.

Example:

– Är det där din farmor som gör kullerbyttor eller är jag ute och cyklar?!
– Nej, hon var gymnast och håller på med yoga. Hon är kool!

– Is your grandmother doing roly polies or am I seeing things!?
– No, she was a gymnast and still does yoga. She’s cool!

12. Små grytor har också öron

Translation: Small saucepans also have ears

What’s all this about saucepans having ears? Unsurprisingly, this is one of those Swedish idioms that make you go “oooooh” when the penny drops. 

So here’s the story. Back in the olden days (or, still to this day) saucepans had handles on both sides of the pot. They are the “saucepan’s ears”. But the idiom actually refers to kids. Essentially, what a Swede means by this is that beware of what you say, you’re being eavesdropped on!

Example:

– Hörde du, min son kallade mig just för blekfis!
– Ja, han har nog hört det någonstans och tyckte att det lät kul. Små grytor har också öron!

– Did you hear that? My son called me a “pale fart”!
– Yes, he probably heard it somewhere and thought it sounded funny. Just because they’re small it doesn’t mean they can’t hear you! 

13. När katten är borta dansar råttorna på bordet

Translation: When the cat’s away the rats dance on the table

Okay, so this is one that’s quite common in English too. Have you ever thought about how weird it is that we talk about playing mice?

Swedish takes it that one step further. Dancing rats. Specifically, on the table.

It means the same thing as in English, basically: if no one’s looking, people do stuff they ordinarily wouldn’t. But it’s the dancing rats that gets me, to be honest.

Example:

– Barnen var busiga när läraren inte såg på. När katten är borta dansar råttorna på bordet.

– The children were naughty when their teacher wasn’t looking. While the cat’s away, the mice come out to play.

14. Många bäckar små gör en stor å

Translation: Many small streams

Swedish idioms are often shortened, and this one is most commonly said as “många bäckar små” (many small streams). It’s similar to the phrase “out of little acorns grow huge oaks”.

Essentially, it’s the idea that many helping hands can create something huge if everyone works together. Which is sweet. And scientifically accurate. 

Example:

– Behöver du hjälp att flytta? Vi är fyra stycken här som kan hjälpa till.
– Många bäckar små, vi blir klara på nolltid. Tack! 

– Do you need help moving today? There’s four of us here who can help.
– Every little helps, we’ll be done in no time. Thanks!

15. Så kan det gå när inte haspen är på

Translation: That’s how it goes if the latch isn’t on

Oh dear. I promise this is the last idiom related to poop! You don’t need a crazy imagination to conjure up what this means. In Swedish, this is a rhyming saying that basically means “that’s what happens if you’re not careful”. 

The latch, in this case, is on a bathroom door. If you don’t lock the bathroom door when you ‘need to go’, then you might just find yourself exposed while indisposed, so to speak. And that’s not something anybody would find desirable.

It’s the same idea as the English idiom “caught with your pants down”, but instead of Swedes being embarrassed, they’re annoyed at their carelessness. Talk about cultural differences, huh? 

Example:

– Har du sett mina kalsonger?
– Ja. Tvättkorgen är fulla med dem!
– Åh nej…
– Så kan det gå när inte haspen är på!

– Have you seen my underwear?
– Yes. The laundry basket is full of them!
– Oh no…
– That’s what happens if you’re not careful!

16. Finns det hjärterum så finns det stjärterum

Translation: If there’s room in your heart there’s room for a butt. 

You probably already know that Sweden’s all about jäntelagen (equality) and if you got a dollar every time someone said “lagom” (“just the right amount”) you’d be a millionaire by now. This is one of those Swedish idioms that really speaks to that side of Swedish culture. 

The idea is that no matter how cramped, uncomfortable or difficult it might be to squeeze another person into your home, bed, or to give them a seat at the table: it’s possible if you’re kind. It also rhymes, which is pleasing. 

Example:

– Det blir trångt i bastun men finns det hjärterum finns det stjärterum.

– It will be packed in the sauna but there’s always room for one more.

17. Smaken är som baken, delad i två halvor

Translation: Taste is like a butt, divided in two halves

Swedes aren’t obsessed with butts, I promise. Admittedly, they’re featuring quite a lot in this article, one way or another. This Swedish idiom is said by Swedes who agree to disagree. Again, this one is often shortened to just “smaken är som baken”. 

One person prefers Estrella potato chips, the other wants OLW. Sven loves Picasso paintings but Lars has never understood them. In other words, taste, like a butt, is halved down the middle: some like it, others don’t. It’s not the prettiest image, but there’s no denying its accuracy! 

Example:

– Köttbullar ska serveras med potatismos, inte pasta.
– Smaken är som baken. Jag föredrar pasta. 

– Meatballs should be served with mashed potatoes, not pasta.
– Each to their own. I prefer pasta.

18. Borta bra men hemma bäst

Translation: Away is good, but home is best

My favorite Swedish idiom. Have you ever gone away on vacation and then realized how nice it is to be at home again? This is the opposite of the English idiom “the grass is greener on the other side”. Basically, what you already have is better than what you might hope for. 

Example: 

– Det är så skönt att vara hemma.
– Ja, borta bra men hemma bäst. 

– It’s so nice to be home.
– Yes, it was nice to be away but being at home is the best.

19. När fan blir gammal blir han religiös

Translation: When the devil gets old he becomes religious

Everyone can be stubborn at times, but we don’t actually realize how often we change our minds. This, quite cheeky, Swedish idiom basically reminds us that nothing is ever set in stone. As implausible as a change might be, it happens to all of us.

In short, even the devil, who has been set in his ways…a while…realizes in his old age that he might have to make amends sooner or later. 

Example:

– Jag har alltid tyckt att ABBAs låtar är dåliga. Men nu är jag en Dancing Queen på riktigt!
– När fan blir gammal blir han religiös.

– I’ve always thought that ABBA’s songs were bad. But now I’m a Dancing Queen for real!
– Well I never thought I’d hear you say that. 

20. När man talar om trollet så står det i farstun

Translation: When you speak of the troll you’ll see it in the hallway

This is the Swedish equivalent of “speak of the devil”. But “the devil” in Swedish is busy doing other things like getting old and becoming religious (you’ve read about it!). So instead of the devil, the troll takes center stage. 

Example:

– Jag blir irriterad på att honom för han tuggar så högljutt.
– Han kommer nu!
– När man talar om trollet så står det i farstun. Man kan höra honom ända hit. 

– I get annoyed with him for chewing so loudly.
– He’s coming!
– Speak of the devil, I could hear him all the way from here.

21. Klar som korvspad

Translation: Clear as sausage water

In English, the phrase “clear as day” evokes a poetic, romantic illusion of sunshine and blue skies. The Swedish equivalent, however, takes a different approach. 

“Klar som korvspad” is actually an ironic turn of phrase. When you boil a sausage, the water tends to become a little cloudy. So it’s not actually “clear” at all.

Nevertheless, if a Swede tells you that something is as clear as sausage water, then they mean that something is obvious. 

Example:

– Kommer du till festen ikväll?
– Det är klart som korvspad att jag kommer!

– Are you coming to the party tonight?
– Of course I am!

22. Jag ska inte sticka under stol med…

Translation: I won’t put it under the chair…

Confession time. Not from me, but the idiom. This is a rather long-winded Swedish way of saying “admittedly”. When Swedes tell you they aren’t going to put it under the chair, they’re saying: “to be honest” or “I can’t get away from the fact that…” 

Here’s what it looks like in practice:

Example:

– Jag ska inte sticka under stol med att jag hade fel när jag jag sa att Sverige kunde vinna VM.

– I have to admit, I was wrong when I said Sweden could win the soccer World Cup. 

23. Glider in på en räkmacka

Translation: Gliding on a shrimp sandwich

We all know someone who has it all but hasn’t had to work for it. Those people, as Swedes say, glide on shrimp sandwiches. No effort is required for that, I think you’ll agree.

Example: 

– Hans mamma köpte lägenheten åt honom och han har jobb som chef på familjefirman. 
– Ja, han glider in på en räkmacka.

– His mom bought his apartment for him and he’s the boss of his family’s business.
– Yes, he hasn’t earned any of it.

24. Dra öronen åt sig

Translation: Pull your ears towards yourself

This is one Swedish idiom that just doesn’t make sense when translated. Luckily, you don’t have to literally pull your ears anywhere. It just means that someone is on their guard or suspicious.

I suppose “smell a rat” is the closest expression in English, but the Swedish phrase makes me think of elephants retracting their ears. Aww. 

Example:

– Hon drog öronen åt sig när hon såg att Peter var på väg.

– She became suspicious when she saw Peter was on his way. 

25. Har man tagit fan i båten får man ro honom i land

Translation: If you’ve put the devil in your boat you have to row him to land

Pretty self-explanatory, at least from a Swedish perspective. The idea here is, if you’ve taken on a huge responsibility (such as putting the devil in your boat) you have to see it through. Even if you’d rather abandon ship.

Example: 

– Jag tror inte att jag klarar av mina prov.
– Har man tagit fan i båten får man ro honom i land.

– I don’t think I can do my exams.
– You’ve already got this far, you have to carry on!

Final thoughts on Swedish idioms

And there you have it! No need to pull your ears towards yourself, you’ve reached the end of the article. As you now know, Swedes sometimes break the stereotype of being direct in their speech (we’re looking at you, shrimp sandwich gliders).

Let us know what your favorite Swedish idioms are in the comments down below!

Need a laugh? Get to know 25 funny Swedish words and phrases that will make you giggle. Better yet, explore these apps and books to learn Swedish!

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