Scandinavian & Nordic Greetings & Useful Phrases  | Courses by Cactus (2024)

Comprising Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Icelandic and Faroese, Scandinavian and Nordic languages have become some of the most popular languages to learn in recent years. With their dramatic landscapes and friendly locals, this collection of North European countries are tourist hotspots, and the study of their languages is on the rise. For those thinking of a trip up north, we have put together a list of useful Scandinavian and Nordic greetings to help you out.

While most natives have English as second language, having the ability to converse in the native tongue is always beneficial. These basic greetings and phrases will help start your journey of discovering these exciting and unique languages.

Scandinavian and Nordic Greetings & Useful Phrases

Swedish

Famous for its forests and wilderness, as well as giving the world IKEA, ABBA and even Spotify, Sweden is said to have one of the happiest and healthiest populations in the world!

Scandinavian and Nordic Greetings & Useful Phrases – Swedish:

HelloHej!
Good morning/day/evening/nightGod morgon! / Goddag! / God kväll! / God natt!
Goodbye Hej då!
Thank you (very much) – Tack (så mycket)!
My name is …Jag heter…
Excuse meUrsäkta
You’re welcomeVarsågod!

Norwegian

Home of Vikings, mythical trolls and stunning landscapes, Norway is a true adventurers paradise no matter what interests you.

Scandinavian and Nordic Greetings & Useful Phrases – Norwegian:

HelloHallo
Good morning/day/evening/nightGod morgen / God dag / God kveld / God natt
GoodbyeHa det
Thank you (very much)Takk (Tusen takk)
My name is …Mitt navn er…
Excuse meUnnskyld meg
You’re welcomeVær så go

Danish

The birthplace of Lego offers much more than just the history of the worlds most popular construction toy. Stunning architecture, beer and bicycles are just a few of the regular sights when visiting Denmark.

Scandinavian and Nordic Greetings & Useful Phrases – Danish:

HelloHej
Good morning/day/evening/nightGod morgen / God dag / God aften / Godnat
GoodbyeFarvel
Thank you (very much)Tak (mange tak)
My name is …Jeg hedder…
Excuse meUndskyld
You’re welcomeSelv tak

Icelandic

Scandinavian & Nordic Greetings & Useful Phrases | Courses by Cactus (1)

Aside from the rugged landscape, volcanoes and geysers, Iceland offers stunning waterfalls, the ability to see the Northern Lights and not a single McDonald’s restaurant in sight!

Scandinavian and Nordic Greetings & Useful Phrases – Icelandic:

HelloHalló
Good morning/day/evening/nightGóðan daginn / Góðan dag / Gott kvöld / Góða nótt
Goodbye Bless
Thank you (very much)Takk (fyrir)
My name is …Ég heiti…
Excuse meFyrirgefðu
You’re welcomeþú ert velkominn/Gerðu svo vel

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Scandinavian & Nordic Greetings & Useful Phrases  | Courses by Cactus (2024)

FAQs

What is the traditional Viking greeting? ›

Originally a Norse greeting, “heil og sæl” had the form “heill ok sæll” when addressed to a man and “heil ok sæl” when addressed to a woman. Other versions were “ver heill ok sæll” (lit. be healthy and happy) and simply “heill” (lit.

How do you say good morning in Scandinavian? ›

Scandinavian and Nordic Greetings & Useful Phrases

Hello – Hej! Good morning/day/evening/night – God morgon! / Goddag! / God kväll! / God natt! Goodbye – Hej då!

What is the Norse word for joy? ›

angan (noun f.) 'delight, joy'

What is the Viking cheers? ›

Say “skål!” (pronounced “skoal”) with gusto. The word “skål” itself has origins made misty over time. Some claim that the term has a root in the skulls of the vanquished, from which Viking warriors would drink to celebrate their victory.

What are some Viking phrases? ›

Sayings of the Vikings
  • “Always rise. to an early meal, but eat your fill before a feast. ...
  • “Never walk. away from home. ...
  • “Moderately wise. a man should be. ...
  • “The unwise man. is awake all night. ...
  • “It is fortunate. to be favored. ...
  • “Wake early. if you want. ...
  • “Go you must. No guest shall stay. ...
  • “Be your friend's. true friend.

Why do Swedes say hej hej? ›

Hej used to be an interjection, but the word took off as a greeting phrase in the 1930s. At the time, hej was an informal way to say hello in Swedish. Today, however, the greeting phrase has become the standard way to greet people in Sweden. The best app to learn a language after Duolingo.

What is a Norwegian greeting? ›

Besides hei, you can also use the informal variants “hei, hei,” morn or heia. In the morning it's also common to wish a friendly god morgen (good morning) to others.

How do you say I love you in Nordic? ›

To say I love you in Norwegian, say jeg elsker deg. Keep in mind that in Norwegian this phrase actually has more weight than I love you does in English – in English, you can actually say I love you to a friend, as it can imply different varieties of love.

What does lagom mean? ›

What is Lagom? Lagom in the Swedish language literally means not too much, not too little, the right amount, and is a philosophy that aims to balance, in every area and juncture of everyday life. Lagom is the secret that explains a lifestyle based on social awareness, moderation and sustainability.

What is the Nordic name for happy? ›

Lykke (Danish, Norwegian):The final Scandinavian word I have for you – but certainly not the least: In Danish and Norwegian, we have the concept of “Lykke” (pronounced like' lu-Keh'), which is the word for joy and happiness, describing a general state of happiness with life – Often based on making the most of life's ...

What is the meaning of hygge? ›

noun. hyg·​ge ˈhyü-gə ˈhü- ˈhu̇- : a cozy quality that makes a person feel content and comfortable. During the long, dark winters when Danes retreat inside their homes, hygge is what brings them a great sense of comfort and joy.

What do Vikings say when they row? ›

In battle, Vikings would urge each other forward by yelling "SKOLL" to one another. By doing so, they were telling each other to keep it up so they could drink from the skull (and the top of a lopped off skull looks roughly like a.. wait for it... BOWL!!) of the Vanquished that night.

How do you say have a good day in Viking? ›

#NorseNews: The Norse Phrasebook

'Heill' involves wishing good health … whereas 'Sæll' simply wishes happiness. Góðan dag/Góðan daginn – Good day! Góðan morgin – Good morning! Góðan aptan – Good afternoon!

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