tack

Thanks

Level 1

Tack is the most common and versatile way to say 'thank you' in Swedish.

How It Works

Tack is one of the most important words in Swedish for everyday politeness. It's incredibly flexible.

Basic Usage:
Used on its own, it simply means 'Thanks' or 'Thank you'.

  • Tack! (Thanks!)

Adding Emphasis:
To say 'Thank you very much', you can add 'så mycket'.

  • Tack så mycket! (Thank you very much!)

Accepting and Declining:
It accompanies both acceptance and refusal. In English the acceptance often uses please, while refusal uses thank you.

  • Ja, tack. (Yes, please.)
  • Nej, tack. (No, thank you.)

Specifying Gratitude:
You can use the preposition för to say what you are thankful for.

  • Tack för hjälpen. (Thanks for the help.)
  • Tack för maten. (Thanks for the food. - A common phrase said after a meal.)

Responding to 'Tack':
A common reply is varsågod (you’re welcome). Other replies depend on context, for example ingen orsak or det var så lite.

Tack för can introduce a clause: Tack för att du kom (Thank you for coming). With a short request, En kaffe, tack means “A coffee, please”; its politeness function is broader than thanking afterwards.

Examples (5)

  1. Tack!

    Thanks!

  2. Tack så mycket för presenten.

    Thank you very much for the present.

    Word by Word: Thanks so much for the-present.

  3. Vill du ha kaffe? – Ja, tack.

    Do you want coffee? – Yes, please.

    Word by Word: Want you have coffee? – Yes, thanks.

  4. Mer tårta? – Nej, tack. Jag är mätt.

    More cake? – No, thank you. I'm full.

    Word by Word: More cake? – No, thanks. I am full.

  5. Tack för hjälpen!

    Thanks for the help!

    Word by Word: Thanks for the-help!

Common Mistakes

  • Confusing the response to 'tack' with the word for 'welcome'.

    Tack! – Välkommen.
    Tack! – Varsågod.

    Välkommen welcomes someone to a place or activity; it is not the ordinary reply to thanks. Varsågod is one common reply, alongside alternatives such as ingen orsak.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

tackLevel 1Thanks

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