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Scandinavia Travel Tips

Language

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 dรฅ (hey doh) - Goodbye

Tack (tahck) - Thank you

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

Ja (yah) - Yes

Nej (nay) - No

Snรคlla (s-nel-la) - Please

Fรถrlรฅt (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:

Vรฆr sรฅ 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

Vรฆr sรฅ snill (vair saw sneel) - Please

Beklager (bek-lah-ger) - Sorry


Finnish (Finland):

Hei (hay) - Hello

Nรคkemiin (nah-keh-meen) - Goodbye

Kiitos (kee-tohs) - Thank you

Anteeksi (ahn-tehk-see) - Excuse me

Kyllรค (kuul-la) - Yes

Ei (ay) - No

Ole hyvรค (oh-leh huu-va) - Please

Anteeksi (ahn-tehk-see) - Sorry


Sami (Lapland):

Bures (boo-rehs) - Hello

Bรกze 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

รndagassii (ahn-dah-gahs-see) - Sorry


Icelandic (Iceland):

Hallรณ (hat-loh) - Hello

Bless (bless) - Goodbye

Takk fyrir (tahk fir-eer) - Thank you

Afsakiรฐ (av-sah-kith) - Excuse me

Jรก (yow) - Yes

Nei (nay) - No

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

Fyrirgefรฐu (fir-eer-gef-thu) - Sorry

Language

English is widely spoken in Scandinavia, however, learning some basic phrases would be a kind gesture