# Swedish

/ˈswidɪʃ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/swedish
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. the language

noun · CEFR A1

the language spoken by people in Sweden and parts of Finland.

For teachers: the North Germanic language spoken primarily in Sweden and parts of Finland. Uncountable in this sense.

- She decided to learn Swedish before moving to Stockholm for her new job.
- Although many people in the region speak English fluently, the local government conducts its official business primarily in Swedish.

### 2. relating to Sweden

adjective · CEFR A1

coming from or relating to the country of Sweden.

For teachers: relating to Sweden, its inhabitants, or its culture. A proper adjective that must be capitalized.

- We bought some Swedish furniture for our new apartment.
- The Swedish design aesthetic is often characterized by its functional minimalism and clever use of natural light.

### 3. the people

noun · CEFR A2

the people who come from Sweden.

For teachers: the people of Sweden collectively. Used with the definite article 'the' to refer to the entire population.

- The Swedish are known for their love of nature and outdoor activities.
- A recent survey suggests that the Swedish generally place a high value on maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

## Examples

- I am learning Swedish because I want to move to Stockholm.
- Most people in the capital speak excellent English, but learning basic Swedish helps you integrate into the local community.
- While many technical terms in Swedish are borrowed from German or English, the core vocabulary remains distinctively Scandinavian and shares many similarities with Norwegian and Danish.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.