Swedish Translation

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Translation services from and into Swedish at excellent rates by qualified native Swedish speakers who make a living as Swedish translators for agencies. Find Swedish Translation WFH freelancers on January 21, 2025 who work remotely. Read less

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What are some common Swedish sayings translated into English?

Here are 20 common Swedish expressions translated into English, capturing the cultural and linguistic nuances:

Greetings and Basic Phrases
Swedish: "Hej!"
English: "Hello!"
Swedish: "Hur mår du?"
English: "How are you?"
Swedish: "Tack!"
English: "Thank you!"
Swedish: "Varsågod."
English: "You're welcome." or "Here you go."

Common Sayings and Idioms
Swedish: "Det är ingen ko på isen."
English: "There's no cow on the ice." (Meaning: No need to worry, everything's under control.)
Swedish: "Att ha en räv bakom örat."
English: "To have a fox behind the ear." (Meaning: To be sly or cunning.)
Swedish: "Att kasta yxor."
English: "Throwing axes." (Meaning: Wasting time or effort on something.)
Swedish: "Nu är det kört."
English: "Now it's over/done for." (Meaning: It's too late, or the situation is hopeless.)

Proverbs
Swedish: "Bättre sent än aldrig."
English: "Better late than never."
Swedish: "Den som gapar efter mycket, mister ofta hela stycket."
English: "He who gapes after much often loses the whole piece." (Meaning: Don't be too greedy or you might lose everything.)
Swedish: "Många bäckar små gör en stor å."
English: "Many small streams make a big river." (Meaning: Small contributions can make a big difference.)

Expressions of Emotion or Surprise
Swedish: "Oj då!"
English: "Oh dear!" or "Oops!"
Swedish: "Vilken tur!"
English: "What luck!"

Swedish: "Det är ju helt fantastiskt!"
English: "That's just fantastic!"

Cultural or Everyday Phrases
Swedish: "Fika?"
English: "Want to have coffee and a snack?" (Fika is a social institution in Sweden.)
Swedish: "Ta en kopp kaffe."
English: "Have a cup of coffee."
Swedish: "Vi ses!"
English: "See you!"
Swedish: "Det är bra väder idag."
English: "The weather is nice today."

Expressions of Sympathy or Politeness
Swedish: "Förlåt."
English: "Sorry."
Swedish: "Ursäkta mig."
English: "Excuse me."

These translations aim to convey not just the literal meaning but also the cultural context and tone of the Swedish expressions. Note that idiomatic phrases like "no cow on the ice" might not directly translate into commonly used English idioms, so the closest equivalent or explanation is given to preserve the original intent.

How do native Swedes translate Swedish words into English?

A good Swedish translator translating from English to Swedish employs a range of techniques to ensure accuracy, cultural relevance, and natural flow. Here are some key strategies along with examples:

1. Vocabulary and Lexical Choice
Contextual Translation: Choosing the right word based on context since Swedish might have multiple words for one English term.
English: "Fall"
Swedish: "Höst" (for autumn), "falla" (to fall), or "nedgång" (decline), depending on context.
False Friends: Avoiding words that look similar but mean different things.
English: "Eventually"
Swedish: "I slutändan" (in the end) rather than "eventuellt" which means "possibly."

2. Grammar and Syntax
Sentence Structure: Swedish typically follows Subject-Verb-Object like English but can be more flexible.
English: "I read a book."
Swedish: "Jag läser en bok." (Direct translation, but word order can change for emphasis or style.)
Verb Conjugation: Swedish verbs conjugate for tense, mood, and number but are less complex than in some languages.
English: "He will eat."
Swedish: "Han kommer att äta." (using "kommer att" for future tense)
Definite and Indefinite Forms: Swedish has definite forms of nouns without articles, which differs from English usage.
English: "The book"
Swedish: "Boken" (the book) vs. "en bok" (a book)

3. Idiomatic Expressions and Proverbs
Cultural Equivalents: Finding Swedish idioms that convey the same meaning or explaining English idioms.
English: "The ball is in your court."
Swedish: "Bollen är i ditt knä." (The ball is in your lap, conveying a similar idea of responsibility.)
Proverbs: Translating the essence rather than the literal words.
English: "Don't judge a book by its cover."
Swedish: "Man ska inte döma hunden efter håren." (Don't judge the dog by its hair.)

4. Formality and Politeness
Du vs. Ni: Swedish uses "du" for informal and "ni" for formal or plural, though "ni" is less commonly used in modern Swedish for formal singular address.
English: "Can you help me?"
Swedish: "Kan du hjälpa mig?" (informal) or "Kan ni hjälpa mig?" (formal/plural)

5. Cultural Nuances
Cultural References: Adapting or explaining cultural references that might not be understood in Sweden.
English: "Thanksgiving is a time for family."
Swedish: "Thanksgiving är en amerikansk högtid för familj." (Adding context for a holiday not celebrated in Sweden.)

6. Technical and Specialized Language
Terminology: Maintaining technical terms or finding Swedish equivalents.
English: "Software"
Swedish: "Mjukvara"

7. Translation Techniques
Literal vs. Free Translation: Balancing between direct translation and adaptation for naturalness.
Example:
English: "He kicked the bucket."
Swedish: "Han sparkade hinken." (Literal), but "Han dog." (He died) might be used for natural speech.
Use of Translation Tools: Employing CAT tools for consistency, especially in large projects, but always reviewing for cultural fit and accuracy.

Examples of Translation

Simple Sentence:
English: "I like to swim."
Swedish: "Jag gillar att simma."

Complex Sentence:
English: "If it rains tomorrow, we'll have to cancel the picnic."
Swedish: "Om det regnar i morgon, måste vi avboka picknicken."

Idiomatic Expression:
English: "Break a leg."
Swedish: "Lycka till!" (Good luck! - as there's no direct equivalent for this theatrical wish)

Cultural Nuance:
English: "Let's go for brunch."
Swedish: "Låt oss gå på brunch." (Brunch is not as traditionally Swedish, so the word is borrowed but naturalized.)

Technical Language:
English: "Please connect the USB drive."
Swedish: "Vänligen anslut USB-minnet."

Formal vs. Informal:
English: "Could you send me the document, please?"
Swedish: "Kan du skicka dokumentet till mig, tack?" (informal) or "Kan ni skicka dokumentet till mig, tack?" (more formal or plural)

A good Swedish translator will also consider the audience's familiarity with English terms, especially in contexts like technology or business where English words are commonly used. They'll ensure the translation feels natural to Swedish speakers, reflecting not only the language but also the cultural context in which the text will be read.

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