90 Swedish Words That Don't Translate - Does Not Translate

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Moralkaka (lit. morality cookie)·A preachy, insincere, or trivial moral lesson.

Morgontrött·An adjective to describe a person who has problems with getting up, and is always tired after waking up, in the morning.

Dagsmeja·When snow melts due to direct sunlight while the air temperature is still below freezing.

Klämkäck (lit. squeeze-dashing)·Someone who's a bit too perky, energetic, and positive, often to the point where it feels fake. Think some waiters and the like.

Okynnesäta·Eating even though you're not hungry, in a mischievous sort of way.

Brunsmeta (lit. to brown-smear)·To try to associate with right-wing extremism or Nazism to discredit.

Sommarplåga (lit. summer torment)·A pop song released around spring that gets overplayed during the summer.

Mellandagarna·The days between Christmas and New Year’s, literally translates as “the middle days”.

Bear favor·To do something for someone with good intentions, but it actually has negative consequences instead.

Osvensk (a.) (lit. un-Swedish)·Outspoken, uninhibited and unapologetic. To not conform to the bad Swedish stereotypes or the Law of Jante mentality.

På bit·Drinking coffee with a lump of sugar in your mouth or between your teeth.

Smitthärd (lit. contagion hearth)·Something that readily transmits diseases.

Mula·The act of rubbing snow in someone's face.

Klämdag (lit. squeeze day)·A work day squeezed between two days that are off.

Paragrafryttare, lit. paragraph rider·Someone who pedantically follows written rules and regulations (beyond reason).

lattepappa·A dad who takes paternity leave instead of the mom and is supposedly often seen with a latte; kind of a lifestyle.

Kissnödig and bajsnödig·Needing to pee and needing to poop, as adjectives.

Slippa (v.)·To not have to do something.

Mycket snack och lite verkstad (lit. much talk and little workshop)·Too much time spent talking (e.g. in meetings) and not enough on getting work done.

Blunda·To have your eyes closed, as a state.

Solkatt (lit. sun cat)·The spot of light from sunlight reflecting off a shiny surface, like a watch.

Jag mötte Lassie·A story about a random encounter with a celebrity.

Nödig·Needing to pee or poo.

Förrgår and övermorgon·Two days ago and two days from now.

Fika·Periodic coffee/tea/drink break, typically at work (Has been posted before but there's a new article about it!).

Tönt·Someone who's the opposite of cool.

Kallsup (lit. cold small drink)·To accidentally inhale water while swimming.

Världsvan (lit. world-accustomed)·Experienced and sophisticated from having traveled a lot.

Svårmod (lit. hard-mood)·A kind of low-key, enduring, contemplative sadness. Think rugged angry-looking sailors staring off into the distance smoking a pipe and stuff.

badkruka (n.)·Person who is averse to bathing outdoors.