Polite expressions

Level 1

Key phrases for politeness: Tack (Thank you), Snälla (Please), Ursäkta (Excuse me), and Varsågod (You're welcome/Here you are).

How It Works

Being polite is simple in Swedish once you know a few essential words. These phrases are used constantly in daily life.

Key Polite Phrases:

  • Tack - This is the most common word for 'thank you'. You can use it in almost any situation where you want to show gratitude. You can also make it stronger by saying Tack så mycket (Thank you very much).
    Example: Tack för maten! (Thanks for the food!)

  • Snälla - This can mean please in a request or plea. It may come first or last, and its tone depends on context: it can sound warm, pleading or insistent. A question such as Kan du öppna dörren? can already be polite without it.
    Example: Kan du öppna dörren, snälla? (Can you open the door, please?)

  • Ursäkta - This means 'excuse me' or 'pardon me'. You use it to get someone's attention, to apologize for bumping into someone, or to ask someone to repeat something.
    Example: Ursäkta, var ligger stationen? (Excuse me, where is the station?)

  • Varsågod - This word has two main meanings:
    1. You're welcome. It is one common reply to tack; ingen orsak and det var så lite are other possibilities.
    2. Here you are. You say it when you hand something to someone.
    Example (You're welcome): – Tack! – Varsågod.
    Example (Here you are): Varsågod, här är ditt kaffe. (Here you are, here is your coffee.)

There is no single word that must translate every English please. Compare Kan du hjälpa mig?, Hjälp mig, är du snäll, and En kaffe, tack. Choose the expression for the social action rather than inserting snälla automatically.

Examples (5)

  1. Tack så mycket för presenten!

    Thank you so much for the gift!

    Word by Word: Thanks so much for the-gift!

    Tack så mycket is a common way to say 'thank you very much'.

  2. Kan du stänga fönstret, snälla?

    Can you close the window, please?

    Word by Word: Can you close the-window, please?

    Snälla reinforces the request here. Context and intonation affect whether it sounds gentle or insistent; it is not a compulsory politeness marker.

  3. Ursäkta, vet du vad klockan är?

    Excuse me, do you know what time it is?

    Word by Word: Excuse-me, know you what the-clock is?

    Ursäkta is used here to politely get someone's attention before asking a question.

  4. – Tack för hjälpen! – Varsågod!

    – Thanks for the help! – You're welcome!

    Varsågod is one common reply to thanks.

  5. Varsågod, här är din nyckel.

    Here you are, here is your key.

    Word by Word: Here-you-are, here is your key.

    Varsågod is also used when handing something to someone.

Common Mistakes

  • Using a pleading expression when a neutral acceptance is intended.

    – Vill du ha mer kaffe? – Ja, snälla.
    – Vill du ha mer kaffe? – Ja, tack.

    Ja, tack is the neutral conventional acceptance of an offer. Ja, snälla can be a pleading or eager response in context, so it is not inherently ungrammatical; it changes the tone rather than replacing the ordinary formula.

How It Connects

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Polite expressionsLevel 1

Learn This First

Politeness phrases like 'ursäkta' and 'förlåt' are foundational social tools. They are best learned alongside basic greetings and the word for 'thanks' to build a functional vocabulary for everyday interactions.

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Patterns that build on this one.