Scandinavia Travel Tips

The Nordic and Nordic-influenced countries of Scandinavia, Finland, Lapland, and Iceland are not only renowned for their breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage but also for their fascinating languages. From Swedish and Norwegian melodic tones to Danish, Finnish and Icelandic's unique cadences, each language tells a story of history, tradition, and identity.

Luckily for travelers, English is widely spoken in all these destinations, especially in urban and tourist areas, however, learning some basic phrases is recommended as locals appreciate efforts to speak their language and often respond warmly to attempts at communication.

Here are some handy phrases for each destination:

Swedish (Sweden):

Hej (hey) - Hello

Hej då (hey doh) - Goodbye

Tack (tahck) - Thank you

Ursäkta mig (oor-sayk-ta may) - Excuse me

Ja (yah) - Yes

Nej (nay) - No

Snälla (s-nel-la) - Please

Förlåt (fur-lot) - Sorry

Danish (Denmark):

Hej (hey) - Hello

Farvel (far-vel) - Goodbye

Tak (tahk) - Thank you

Undskyld mig (oon-skeeld may) - Excuse me

Ja (yah) - Yes

Nej (nay) - No:

Vær så venlig (vair saw ven-lee) - Please

Undskyld (oon-skeeld) - Sorry

Norwegian (Norway):

Hei (hay) - Hello

Ha det (hah deh) - Goodbye

Takk (tahk) - Thank you

Unnskyld meg (oon-shoold may) - Excuse me

Ja (yah) - Yes

Nei (nay) - No

Vær så snill (vair saw sneel) - Please

Beklager (bek-lah-ger) - Sorry

Finnish (Finland):

Hei (hay) - Hello

Näkemiin (nah-keh-meen) - Goodbye

Kiitos (kee-tohs) - Thank you

Anteeksi (ahn-tehk-see) - Excuse me

Kyllä (kuul-la) - Yes

Ei (ay) - No

Ole hyvä (oh-leh huu-va) - Please

Anteeksi (ahn-tehk-see) - Sorry

Sami (Lapland):

Bures (boo-rehs) - Hello

Báze dearvan (bah-zeh dear-vahn) - Goodbye

Giitu (gee-too) - Thank you

Ohcan (oh-kahn) - Excuse me

Joo (you) - Yes

Ei (ay) - No

Buorre (boo-reh) - Please

Ándagassii (ahn-dah-gahs-see) - Sorry

Icelandic (Iceland):

Halló (hat-loh) - Hello

Bless (bless) - Goodbye

Takk fyrir (tahk fir-eer) - Thank you

Afsakið (av-sah-kith) - Excuse me

Já (yow) - Yes

Nei (nay) - No

Vinsamlegast (vin-sam-leh-gahst) - Please

Fyrirgefðu (fir-eer-gef-thu) - Sorry