Swedish rarely ranks highly on the list of most beautiful languages. The beauty of Sweden supposedly lies in its landscapes, people, and crime TV series (according to some people). But contrary to popular belief, there are beautiful Swedish words.
In fact, Swedish has an abundance of descriptive and vivid words. After all, it’s thanks to Old Norse that we have words such as freckle, berserk and even cake. But if that’s not enough to convince you, read on. We’ve listed 28 beautiful Swedish words and phrases to prove our point. Let’s get started!
1. Mysa
Verb To “cozy”
Other uses: “mysig” (adj. cozy)
Move over, “hygge”, there’s a new sheriff in town. One of the most beautiful Swedish words is “mysa” (to cozy). Things that can be “mysig” include having a hot drink, reading a book, or simply wearing your favorite ugly pair of underpants.
2. Språkkänsla
Noun “feeling for language”
This pleasing word is for all the language learners out there. A person’s “sprĂĄkkänsla” starts even before they are born, by hearing the sounds of the language that surrounds them even while they are in their mother’s womb.
It describes a person’s intuitive understanding of how their native language works. It’s how you know that something sounds or reads correctly without precisely knowing why.
3. BeslutsĂĄngest
Noun “anxiety due to indecisiveness”
Do you struggle to make your mind up? Then you have besultsångest: “decision anxiety”. There’s beauty in there being a word for the indecisive among us.
4. Ångestdämpande
Adjective “Anxiety reducing”
If you do suffer from beslutsångest, then you’ll need something that is “ångestdämpande”: “anxiety-reducing”. In English, something can be anxiety-inducing, but in Swedish, there is a word for the opposite effect.
A snuggle with your pet or watching your favorite movie can be described as “ångestdämpande”.
5. Dega
Verb “to relax”
Another of the most Swedish beautiful words has to be “dega“. Literally translated, this word means (to) “dough”. If you’re dough-ing, you’re just sitting around doing nothing much like a fluffy, delightful treat ready for the oven. Or you’re on your 12th episode of Netflix. Whatever image suits you best.
6. Skogsglänta
Noun “forest glade”
Nature’s beauty is unrivaled. When you see a glade in a forest, you’ll know you’re looking at a skogsglänta.
7. Sovmorgon
Noun “lie-in”
One of my favorite beautiful Swedish words, “sovmorgon” just sums up the perfection of a long, restful sleep without an alarm. Literally translated, the word becomes “sleep-morning”, which is just delightful.
8. Jag älskar dig
One of the most beautiful Swedish phrases is surely one of the simplest: “Jag älskar dig” (I love you).
9. Hinna
Verb “to have enough time to/for…”
Beautiful Swedish words are often more beautiful in their meaning than in their pronunciation. “Hinna” is a perfect example of that. “Hinna” means “to have enough time for” something.
I’ve included it for every time I’ve grinned and thought to myself; “jag hinner med en episod till” (I’ve got time for one more episode) or “jag hinner köpa glass innan butiken stänger” (I’ve got time to buy ice cream before the store closes).
10. Orka
Verb “to have enough energy to…”
Similarly, “orka” doesn’t appear in the English language. But it’s one of my favorite beautiful Swedish words, because it’s so handy and tangible. Simply put, “orka” means “to have enough energy to do something”.
And it’s here because there’s something delicious about telling people: “jag orkar inte laga mat, jag ska beställa pizza istället” (I can’t be bothered to cook, I’m going to order pizza instead).
11. Barnasinne
Noun “childlike state of mind”
Literally translated, “barnasinne” means “child’s mind”. It’s a word that’s as nostalgic as it is terse. It implies innocence but also blind trust. Essentially, it describes the viewpoint that children have where “impossible” is more of a challenge than a hindrance.
12. Drottningsylt
Noun “blueberry and raspberry jelly”
Anyone who’s been to Sweden knows how fond Swedes are of their jelly or jam. Drottningsylt is a jelly made of raspberries and blueberries mixed together, and it’s absolutely delish.
It’s on this list because, literally translated into English, it’s called “queen jelly”. Beautiful.
13. Sagolikt
Adjective “like a fairytale”
What if I told you that there’s one word in Swedish for “like a fairytale”? Surely, this has to be one of the most beautiful Swedish words. Anything can be described as “sagolikt”, with the proviso that you are describing something lovely.
14. Blunda
Verb “close your eyes”
In English, we would say “close your eyes”. In Swedish, you need only say “blunda”. The beauty here lies in the simplicity, and all the times you close your eyes to gain perspective.
15. Mätt som en plätt
When you’re offered more food but you just can’t stomach any more, you can say: “jag är mätt som en plätt” (I’m as full as a pancake). No hidden meanings here, it just rhymes and sounds nice.
Most commonly said when someone’s grandma is trying to persuade you to have thirds or fourths of something delicious.
16. Kärleksförklaring
Noun “Declaration of love”
The easiest translation for this beautiful Swedish word would be “a declaration of love”. The best part is, it doesn’t have to be romantic. A kärleksförklaring can just as easily be platonic.
In recent years, however, it’s become more common for people to refer to marriage proposals as kärleksförklariningar.
17. Morgonrodnad
Noun “sunrise”
“Sunrise” is a beautiful word in English, too. But “morgonrodnad” is a touch more poetic. “Morgonrodnad”, literally translated, is “morning-reddening”, and that’s what makes it one of the most beautiful Swedish words.
18. Omtanke
Noun “(to show) consideration”
The closest equivalent to “omtanke” in English is “consideration”, but it’s not quite as lovely. Volvo adopted “omtanke” as its advertising slogan in 2020, and they say that “omtanke is a lens through which you can view the world, and see things differently”.
For me, “omtanke” is going out of your way to make life a little better and easier for your fellow humans. “Om” means about, and “tanke” means thought. Literally, think about *other people*. Like, letting someone else go through the door first or sharing your last cookie.
19. Hjärterum
Noun “room in the heart”
Most commonly found in the Swedish idiom “finns det hjärterum så finns det stjärterum” (If there’s room in your heart there’s room for a butt). Hjärterum simply means “heart-room”, as in, “there’s room in your heart”.
20. Midsommarkrans
Noun “midsommar wreath”
A seasonal and beautiful Swedish word, Midsommarkrans is what Swedes call a flower crown worn on Midsummer’s Eve. Traditionally, the celebration of midsummer was linked to fertility and love (there’s an old superstition that leaving flowers under your pillow on Midsummer’s Eve will ensure dreams about your true love).
21. Smultronställe
Noun “a place where you find wild strawberries”
Culturally, this is a very significant but beautiful Swedish word. Essentially, a smultronställe is where you’ll find plenty of tiny, wild strawberries (called smultron in Swedish) for picking.
22. Förälskad
Adjective “in love”
In Swedish, you can describe someone as “in love” with just one word. Förälskad.
English, of course, offers similar words such as “besotted” or “enamored” but I like this simple way of describing lovebirds: “Dem är förälskade” (They are in love).
23. Vad fin du är
Swedes aren’t typically known for giving compliments, but you can be sure that when you receive one, it’s genuine. “Vad fin du är” roughly translates to “how lovely you are” and is sure to make any Swede smile.
24. Ro
Noun “peace”
One of the shortest but most powerful beautiful Swedish words. “Ro” can be likened to peace or stillness, but is separate from “fred” or “frid” which also means peace. “Lugn och ro” is the Swedish equivalent of “peace and quiet”.
25. Jag saknar dig
It’s sad to miss someone but lovely to hear that you’re missed. This is definitely one of the most beautiful Swedish phrases, because in Swedish, the phrase means “you are missing from me”. Aww.
26. Klämdag
Noun “squeeze day” (an extra day off)
A beautiful Swedish word that makes all Swedes bubble on the inside. If a Federal Reserve Holiday (aka a Bank Holiday) falls awkwardly during the week, say, on a Thursday, then many bosses give their employees a “klämdag” (an extra day off the day after). There’s no point coming to work for one day between two holidays or a weekend, after all.
27. Kaffet ingĂĄr
Ok, not beautiful in the typical sense, but if you see or hear this in a Swedish restaurant then you’ll likely crack a smile even on your worst day. It means “the coffee is included” which means you don’t need to pay extra for your after-lunch Fika.
28. Tillit
Noun “trust”
It feels fitting to end on a palindrome. Tillit is the Swedish word for “trust”, and I think there’s something to it that this word goes both ways, the same as trust.
Final thoughts
So there you have it! 28 beautiful Swedish words and phrases that, hopefully, have made you feel warm and fuzzy inside. Have we forgotten something? Let us know in the comments below!
Also read: 25 Common Swedish Idioms to Get You Talking Like a Native