snälla
Please
Snälla, hjälp mig. = Please help me.
An appeal, not a compulsory marker of politeness.
How It Works
Snälla is often translated as please when making an appeal. It is not a word that must be added to every Swedish request.
Placement
You can place 'snälla' at either the beginning or the end of a sentence. Both are very common.
- Beginning: Snälla, stäng dörren. (Please, close the door.)
- End: Stäng dörren, snälla. (Close the door, please.)
Usage with Commands
'Snälla' is very often used with the imperative (command) form of a verb. A bare imperative can be an order, friendly instruction or invitation. Adding snälla presents it as an appeal; it does not guarantee a gentler tone.
- Without Snälla: Ge mig boken. (Give me the book.)
- With an Appeal: Snälla, ge mig boken. (Please, give me the book.)
Usage with Questions
You can also add snälla to a question when appealing for a favor. Depending on delivery, this can sound pleading or impatient as well as courteous.
- Kan du hjälpa mig, snälla? (Can you help me, please?)
Examples (5)
- Snälla, hjälp mig.
Please, help me.
Word by Word: Please, help me.
- Stäng fönstret, snälla.
Close the window, please.
Word by Word: Close the window, please.
- Kan du ge mig saltet, snälla?
Can you give me the salt, please?
Word by Word: Can you give me the salt, please?
- Snälla, var tyst.
Please, be quiet.
Word by Word: Please, be quiet.
- Prata långsammare, snälla.
Speak slower, please.
Word by Word: Speak slower, please.
Common Mistakes
Confusing 'snälla' with the adjective 'snäll' (kind) and trying to change its ending.
Snäll, kan du hjälpa mig?Snälla, kan du hjälpa mig?Use the fixed appeal Snälla, kan du hjälpa mig? The form is related to the adjective snäll (kind), but it does not take ordinary en/ett agreement in this standalone use. The adjective has other forms in noun phrases: en snäll vän, ett snällt barn, snälla vänner.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'snälla' effectively, you should understand basic sentence structure and how to form simple commands (imperatives), as 'snälla' is primarily used to turn those commands into polite requests.
Related Patterns
- tackThanks
Tack expresses thanks, but it can also accompany a request, especially a short order such as En kaffe, tack. It is not restricted to gratitude after receiving something.
Level 1 - kanCan/be Able to
Kan du hjälpa mig? is a normal request. Adding snälla emphasizes an appeal; greater politeness is not an automatic result.
Level 2 - ja/nejYes/no
Just like 'snälla' and 'tack', 'ja' (yes) and 'nej' (no) are fundamental words for basic communication and politeness.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice snälla in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Swedish lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
