Archive for 'Vocabulary'
Exciting Swedish dialects: Vocabulary Posted by Stephen Maconi on Sep 18, 2015
Normally, learners of a second language like Swedish want to learn the standard version, which for Swedish as known as rikssvenska or standardsvenska. Yet, Sweden, being the long, vast country it is, has numerous dialects spoken in all the different parts of the country — some big, some small. So even if your goal is…
15 Swedish Color Words Posted by Marcus Cederström on Aug 31, 2015
I grew up in Colorado, where every fall the aspen change colors and the mountains explode in red and orange and yellow. It’s an impressive sight that doesn’t last long before the cold comes, the leaves fall, and everyone and everything waits for the snow. But when the air gets a little crisper, I’m always…
Swedish verbs: “vill” does not mean “will” Posted by Stephen Maconi on Aug 27, 2015
There’s a lot that Swedish and English have in common. There is plenty of similar vocabulary – dag means “day”, skyskrapa means “skyscraper” – and plenty of similar expressions as well. One word that is a false cognate – a faux ami – is the Swedish verb vilja. Its present form is vill, and it…
Barbecues in Sweden Posted by Marcus Cederström on Jun 30, 2015
Come summer, Swedes (in one of those stereotypes that paints with broad strokes) like to be outside. That means drinking at the outdoor bars even if it’s cold (don’t worry, the bars generally provide blankets and have plenty of heat lamps), trying to get out for a swim, a bike, a hike, something, and heading…
Going to the Bathroom in Sweden Posted by Marcus Cederström on Jun 25, 2015
When learning a new language, we don’t always spend too much time on certain vocabulary—like bodily functions. A while back, Katja wrote a post titled The sensitive subject (which isn’t so sensitive in Sweden) where you can learn all kinds of vocabulary about bodily functions. It’s a wonderful list. Now it’s time to expand on…
Six Phrases for the Swedish Café Posted by Marcus Cederström on Apr 30, 2015
Last week we learned how to navigate our way through the ordering process at a café in Sweden. Hopefully, you’ve had a chance to practice. If not, take a look back at Ordering at a Café in Swedish. If you’ve already got that down, let’s take a look at a few extra phrases that will…
Ordering at a Café in Swedish Posted by Marcus Cederström on Apr 24, 2015
Anyone who has ever worked to learn another language knows the situation. You’re in a new country, let’s say, hypothetically, Sweden. You’re ready to partake in the Swedish fika tradition. You’re excited to test out your Swedish. But before heading in to the café, you want to make sure you’ve got it all right. So…