2025.08.20

Swedish Grammar #24: Everyday Greetings

Haruno

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Greetings are the very first step in communication, regardless of the language. In Swedish as well, greetings are essential and are used frequently in daily life. Swedish greetings are simple, but it is important to choose the appropriate expression depending on the time of day, your relationship with the other person, and the level of formality.

In this lesson, I will explain the basic greeting expressions in Swedish.

Contents

1. Basic Greetings: The Versatility of Hej
2. Time-Specific Greetings
3. Farewell Greetings
4. Greetings in Conversation
5. Summary

1. Basic Greetings: The Versatility of Hej

Hej is the most commonly used greeting in Swedish. It corresponds to “Hello” in English and can be used universally, regardless of time of day or the person you are speaking to.

Hej: The basic form, equivalent to “Hello” or “Hi.”
Hej hej: A lighter, friendlier version of Hej, often used between friends.
Hallå: A casual and friendly expression, sometimes used as a way to call someone’s attention, like “Hey!” or “Hey there!”

2. Time-Specific Greetings

It is also useful to know greetings that change depending on the time of day. Using these in formal situations, such as when meeting someone for the first time or in a business context, creates a positive impression.

Time of Day	Greeting	Explanation
Morning	God morgon	Used in the morning; “Good morning.”
Daytime	God dag	A standard “Good day.”
Evening	God kväll	Used in the evening; “Good evening.”
Before bed	God natt	“Good night,” typically before going to sleep.

However, in modern Sweden—especially among younger people—God dag is rarely used, with Hej being the preferred option instead.

3. Farewell Greetings

When saying goodbye, Swedes often use expressions that go beyond a simple “farewell,” incorporating wishes for health or well-being. Combining different expressions makes your speech sound more natural and thoughtful.

Swedish	Meaning	Usage
Hej då	Goodbye	The most common farewell; suitable for anyone.
Vi ses	See you	Implies “See you again.”
Ha det bra	Take care / Bye	Casual, friendly; often used with close acquaintances.
God natt	Good night	Often used within families or between partners.

4. Greetings in Conversation

In Swedish, greetings are often followed by a natural question about the other person’s well-being.

For example, after Hej!, it is common to add: Hur mår du? (How are you?)

A: Hej! (Hello!)
B: Hej hej! Hur mår du? (Hi! How are you?)
A: Bra, tack. Och du? (I’m fine, thank you. And you?)
B: Jag mår också bra. (I’m fine too.)

This natural flow reflects the flat and friendly communication style of Swedish culture. In particular, “Bra, tack.” (I’m fine, thank you) is a standard phrase after a greeting, so it is helpful to remember it together with the basic greetings.

5. Summary

Swedish greetings are simple, with Hej (Hello) as the central expression.
Time-specific greetings such as God morgon and God kväll create a more natural impression.
Farewell phrases like Hej då, Vi ses, and Ha det bra convey thoughtfulness toward the other person.
Adding a phrase like Hur mår du? after a greeting helps to expand the conversation.

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