As any learner of Swedish will quickly find out, it’s not all fun and games. Especially when it comes to long Swedish words. Why are they so long? And how do you pronounce something with that many letters?
Well, we’re going to help you out. Here are 25 long Swedish words for you to practice pronouncing, and we’ve even snuck in a grammar lesson for those who are interested. Let’s dive in!
Why are Swedish words so long?
Simply put, the rules for compound nouns in Swedish are different to English. Swedish words are stackable, so in theory, your options are limitless when it comes to character count.
It’s also important to remember that Swedish compound nouns can have totally separate meanings from the same words if you put a gap between them. For example:
“En rödhårig man” (A man with red hair)
–VS-
“En röd hårig man” (a red, hairy man)
I think you’ll agree, it makes quite a lot of difference!
What are compound nouns?
Compound nouns are complicated in English. All you need are two or more words that make one word. However, they all follow certain rules and there are exceptions to every rule. Let’s take a quick look at them:
Two nouns, typically, get smushed together: eg. “toothpaste”. But not always: eg. “water tank”.
Similarly, a noun and a verb combination follows the same pattern: eg, “rainfall” and “bird-watching”. The same often goes for adding an adjective or adverb to a noun, eg. “greenhouse” and “input”.
When a verb precedes the noun, eg. “washing machine”, there is a space between them.
See what I mean? It’s way too much to go into here, but that’s the basics. Luckily, we’re more concerned with Swedish.
Swedish Compound Nouns Explained
In theory, you could make up any compound noun you like in Swedish (this causes a lot of arguments for Swedish Scrabble players).
In truth, however, there’s no such thing as “hundmjöl” (dog-flour) or, thankfully, “sängjäst” (bed-yeast). But any combination that actually makes sense, or is in popular use, is perfectly acceptable in Swedish. Even if they aren’t in the dictionary.
What is the longest Swedish word?
Nordvästersjökustartilleriflygspaningssimulatoranläggningsmaterielunderhållsuppföljningssystemdiskussionsinläggsförberedelsearbete.
131 letters and counting. And what does it mean?
North-west-sea-coast-artillery-flight-surveillance-simulator-construction-material-maintenance-follow-up-system-preparation-work.
So now you know why some Swedish words are long, and how to use them. Now it’s time to wrap your head, and especially your tongue, around these long Swedish words. Let’s jump in!
Long Swedish words
1. Sammansättning
Translation: Composition
And the Swedish word for compound nouns is “sammansatta ord”. (Note how that isn’t a compound noun, because “sammansatta” is (together-put, literally translated)!
2. Europaparlamentet
Translation: Parliament of Europe
Note: This is a compound noun because it has a meaning of its own, i.e a specific parliament. If it was just “a” parliament in Europe, it would be “en parlament i Europa”.
3. Badrumsbelysning
Translation: Bathroom lighting
Because Swedes like to be specific about their lighting, I guess.
4. Snabbmatskedja
Translation: Fast food chain
The food’s fast, so the pronunciation should be too. I think that’s the logic, anyway.
5. Betydelsebeskrivning
Translation: Meaning description
In a dictionary, a word or phrase will come with a “meaning description”. So, the previous sentence was a “betydlesebeskrivning” for the word “betydlesebeskrivning“!
6. Flockimmunitet
Translation: Herd immunity
A topical word, this word was added to the Swedish dictionary in 2020 because of its high usage.
Too easy for you? Let’s try some long Swedish words with contrasting sounds!
7. Hobbyepidemiolog
Translation: Hobby epidemiologist
A word to describe those people on social media who suddenly became experts on virology and all things medical in 2020.
8. Arbetsmiljöproblem
Translation: Work environment problems
Coworkers that never stop talking or never clean up after themselves all contribute to “arbetsmiljöproblem”. Or, in my case, my cat constantly sits on my laptop, she gives me “arbetsmiljöproblem“.
9. Intimitetskoordinator
Translation: Intimacy co-ordinator
A job description for someone who works on movie or theater sets to make sure that sex scenes go to plan and the actors are comfortable.
10. Ă–vervakningsekonomi
Translation: Monitored economy
A word that describes how, in the digital age, marketers collect our data and info to try to sell us more stuff based on purchases we’ve made in the past.
11. Pekskärmsvantar
Translation: Touchscreen gloves
Gloves that simultaneously keep your fingers toasty and enable you to use your phone.
12. AndrasprĂĄksbrukare
Translation: Second language users
People who have a native language different to the one they are commonly using in their day to day lives.
13. Räckviddsångest
Translation: Distance anxiety
Owners of electric vehicles know the feeling: the anxiety you get that you might lose battery before you reach a charging station. Also applies to cell phones and laptops when in public.
14. Trafikmaktordning
Translation: Traffic power hierarchy
Depending on how you get around, you’ll have a different opinion of the correct hierarchy that applies on the road. Cars, buses, pedestrians, cyclists? Or the other way around? I’ll leave that up to you!
Still too easy? Here are a few more long Swedish words with more than 20 characters!
15. Genomträngningsförmåga
Translation: Permeability
Often used in a medical context. “Genomträngningsförmåga” describes an ability to be able to get through to something, such as sun rays on skin.
16. Folkbokföringsmyndighet
Translation: Population registration authority
If you move to Sweden, you’ll have to deal with the folkbokföringsmyndighet to let them know that you’re registered to an address in Sweden.
17. Musikackompanjemang
Translation: Musical accompaniment
A vocal or instrumental addition to other voices or instruments to provide background and build up a song or piece of music.
18. Hälsovårdsmyndigheten
Translation: The healthcare agency
If you’re unfortunate and get sick in Sweden, you will come into contact with the healthcare agency, who deal with all things related to healthcare.
19. Försvarsområdesbefälhavare
Translation: Defense area commander
A military rank that entails commanding over a specific geographical or military area.
20. Näringsfrihetsombudsman
Translation: Business freedom ombudsman
A Swedish government organization that was founded in 1953 to make sure that the market would remain open and not favor one competing company over another.
Up for a real challenge? Here are four super long Swedish words that will really test you to your limit. Extra points if you can say them quickly!
21. Självständighetsdeklaration
Translation: Declaration of independence
Exactly what it says. It just looks huge when smushed together!
22. Medbestämmandeförhandling
Translation: Co-determination negotiation
A truly Swedish word. In the workplace, if your boss proposes a change to your working conditions or contracts (i.e, things that effect everyone), then they are obliged to discuss the matter with all employees effected before making a decision.
23. AcklimatiseringssvĂĄrigheter
Translation: Acclimatization difficulties
Non-Scandinavians often have acklimatiseringssvårigheter when it comes to Nordic weather, too much coffee and cycling in November when it’s dark.
24.Farfarsfarfarsmorfarsfarfarsmorfarsfarmorsfarmorsmorfarsfarfarsmorfarsfarfarsfarfarsmormorsmorfar
Translation: Grandad’s, grandad’s, granddad’s, grandad’s, grandad’s, grandma’s, grandma’s, grandad’s, grandad’s, grandad’s, grandad’s, grandad’s, grandma’s, grandad.
No need to talk about your great-great-great-great-great anything in Swedish. Just tell them, precisely, how your long lost ancestor is related to you.
And there you have it! 24 long Swedish words that are sure to challenge your pronunciation skills. Even if you struggled at first, you’re sure to master it after a bit of practice. Lycka till! (Good luck!)
Also read: 16 Best Apps to Learn Swedish Right Now
Long Swedish words to challenge yourself – Pin it!
