How to Say Hello in Swedish: A Friendly Language Guide

If you’ve ever wondered how to say hello in Swedish, the simple answer is: “Hej!” (pronounced like “Hey”). This common greeting is used throughout Sweden in both casual and professional settings. But the Swedish language offers more than just one way to say hello — and each greeting can carry subtle nuances depending on the time of day, level of formality, and even the region.

In this guide, you’ll learn essential Swedish greetings, when to use them, and how to pronounce them naturally.

Table of Contents

The Most Common Swedish Greeting: Hej!

The word “Hej” is by far the most frequently used greeting in Sweden. It works in almost any situation — whether you’re entering a store, answering a call, or saying hello to a friend.

• Pronunciation tip: “Hej” sounds just like the English word “Hey.” It’s short, cheerful, and universally understood.

Variations of Hej in Swedish

Depending on how familiar or enthusiastic you want to be, you can double or tweak “Hej” to sound more expressive.

• Hej hej! – A warm and friendly version of hello. Often used in emails or with friends.
• Hallå! – Similar to “Hey there!” in English. Slightly more casual.
• Tjena! – A very informal “Hi,” mostly used among young people.
• Tja! – Super casual, like “Yo!” Often used in text messages or between friends.

Formal Greetings in Swedish

Although Sweden is known for its informal culture, there are times when a more formal greeting is appreciated — such as in business meetings or when addressing someone older.

• God morgon (Good morning) is used early in the day.
• God dag is a polite way to say hello during business hours.
• God kväll is perfect for greeting someone in the evening.

Greetings by Time of Day

Swedish greetings often change based on the time of day, similar to English:

How to Respond to “Hej”

Knowing how to say hello is great, but knowing how to reply is just as important!

• Hej! – Always a safe response.
• Hej hej! – To match someone’s friendly tone.
• Tjena! – If you’re feeling casual.

Sometimes Swedes also follow up with “Hur mår du?” (How are you?) or simply nod and smile, especially in shops or public transport.

Cultural Tips on Greeting in Sweden

Understanding Swedish culture helps you use greetings naturally:

1. No Hugs or Kisses for Strangers – A firm handshake or simple verbal greeting is the norm.
2. Minimal Small Talk – Swedes prefer getting to the point; greetings are often brief.
3. Email Greetings – Use “Hej” or “Hej hej” followed by the person’s first name.
4. Greet with Eye Contact – It shows respect and confidence.

Greeting People in Groups

When walking into a room or joining a group, it’s polite to greet everyone at once with:

• Hej allihopa! – Hello everyone!
• God morgon! – Good morning!

When leaving, you might say:

• Hej då! – Goodbye!
• Vi ses! – See you!

Greetings in Context: Example Scenarios

Understanding how greetings are used in real-life contexts helps you sound natural and confident when speaking Swedish. Here are some common situations where you can apply different greetings effectively:

🛍️ 1. At a Café or Bakery

You: Hej! Jag skulle vilja ha en kanelbulle och en kaffe, tack.
(Hello! I’d like a cinnamon bun and a coffee, please.)

Staff: Hej hej! Varsågod, det blir 45 kronor.
(Hi there! Here you go, that’ll be 45 kronor.)

You: Tack så mycket!
(Thank you very much!)

🏢 2. Arriving at the Office

Colleague: God morgon! Sovit gott?
(Good morning! Sleep well?)

You: God morgon! Ja, tack. Och du?
(Good morning! Yes, thanks. And you?)

Colleague: Jo då, redo för dagen!
(Sure, ready for the day!)

📞 3. On the Phone

You: Hej, det här är Maria från Avatalks. Har du en minut?
(Hello, this is Maria from Avatalks. Do you have a minute?)

Receiver: Hej Maria! Absolut, vad gäller det?
(Hi Maria! Sure, what’s it about?)

🛒 4. Shopping in a Store

Shopkeeper: Hej hej! Behöver du hjälp med något?
(Hi there! Do you need help with anything?)

You: Hej! Ja, jag letar efter en present till min syster.
(Hi! Yes, I’m looking for a gift for my sister.)

Shopkeeper: Vad trevligt! Följ med här.
(How nice! Come this way.)

🎉 5. At a Social Gathering or Party

Host: Hej och välkommen! Så kul att du kunde komma!
(Hello and welcome! So glad you could come!)

You: Tack! Det ser jättefint ut här.
(Thanks! It looks really nice here.)

Guest 2: Hej! Jag heter Erik. Trevligt att träffas.
(Hi! I’m Erik. Nice to meet you.)

You: Hej Erik! Trevligt att träffas också.
(Hi Erik! Nice to meet you too.)

🏥 6. At the Doctor’s Office

Receptionist: Hej! Har du en bokad tid?
(Hello! Do you have an appointment?)

You: Hej! Ja, jag har en tid klockan tio med doktor Andersson.
(Hi! Yes, I have a 10 o’clock appointment with Dr. Andersson.)

🚌 7. On Public Transport

You: Hej, är det här bussen till Uppsala?
(Hi, is this the bus to Uppsala?)

Driver: Ja, det stämmer. Du kan betala med kort.
(Yes, that’s right. You can pay by card.)

You: Tack så mycket!
(Thank you very much!)

📧 8. In a Professional Email

Subject: Hej från Avatalks – Fråga om samarbete

Body:
Hej Johan,

Jag hoppas att allt är bra med dig. Jag skriver för att diskutera ett potentiellt samarbete mellan våra team…

(Hello Johan,
I hope everything is well with you. I’m writing to discuss a potential collaboration between our teams…)

These realistic examples show that Swedish greetings are flexible, polite, and easy to adapt to many social and professional contexts. The key is to match the formality of the situation and respond in kind — keeping your tone friendly and respectful.

Regional Variants of Saying Hello

Different parts of Sweden have their own unique greetings:

While Hej works everywhere, it’s fun to learn the local lingo when traveling.

Practice Makes Perfect: Try These Out Loud!

Tip: Listen to native speakers or use apps like Avatalks to practice pronunciation interactively!

Conclusion: Mastering Swedish Greetings

So, how do you say hello in Swedish? You now know it’s “Hej” — but also much more! From formal expressions to casual phrases and regional slang, Swedish greetings are simple, charming, and easy to master.

Practice these greetings, use them confidently, and you’ll be warmly received wherever you go in Sweden.

Check out our free Swedish Character interactive tool and interactive Swedish lessons to take your skills further.