Swedish Language Blog
Menu
Search

Archive for December, 2020

Hot Topic: Mellandagsrea and Corona Posted by on Dec 29, 2020

Welcome to “the between days!” Mellandagarna refers to the days between the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. Children are home on school break, employees enjoy some much needed respite, and Swedish retailers offer end of the year sales. In a typical year, the streets are bustling with shoppers taking advantage of sales. This week, we’ll…

Continue Reading

Glögg: Swedish Christmas in a Cup Posted by on Dec 24, 2020

Mulled wine, Glühwein, glögg! A cup of this warm, aromatic drink is a must around Christmas time. Swedes purchase glögg in a ready-made bottle or brew their own with red wine, cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom – serve with a pepparkaka, and you’re all set! This week, we’ll learn a bit about the history of glögg…

Continue Reading

Ollie’s Ski Adventure is a Wintertime Classic Posted by on Dec 17, 2020

Olles skidfärd (Ollie’s Ski Trip) is a Swedish classic. Elsa Beskow’s winter tale follows young Olle’s wish for snow and the magic that follows on his first ride with a new pair of skis. Let’s read a passage of the story, learn some wintery vocabulary, and discuss a couple of much-needed modernizations to the text. …

Continue Reading

Building Particle Verbs with Gå Posted by on Dec 11, 2020

Verbs start out as just one word like in the example “Speak.” But when they add a particle “Speak” + “up” = “Speak up” the meaning changes completely. The short words that help transform regular old verbs into particle verbs, or phrasal verbs, are common prepositions or adverbs – so you’ll recognize them! Words like…

Continue Reading

Musikblogg: Fill in the Blank with SVT’s Musikkalendern Posted by on Dec 4, 2020

SVT is treating us this year with the premier of Musikkalendern (Music Calendar). In typical advent calendar fashion, a different artist gives a personal greeting and in-studio performance each day of December until Christmas. The best of the best in indie, pop, rap, and rock, and classic vocals join together in an attempt to bring…

Continue Reading