Swedish, much like any language, is vibrant and ever-evolving, and if you’re a young person or simply young at heart, knowing the latest slang can make a world of difference in your daily interactions. Slang keeps the language exciting and relatable, especially among younger speakers. Here are some Swedish slang words that are essential if you want to understand and be understood by the youth of Sweden!

Fett
Originally meaning “fat,” in slang, it’s akin to “cool” or “awesome” in English.
Den festen var riktigt fett!
This translates to “That party was really cool!”

Soft
It translates to “nice,” “soft,” or “chill” and can describe anything from a person’s attitude to the atmosphere of a place.
Han är en soft snubbe!
This means “He’s a chill dude!”

Tjena
A casual greeting, much like “hi” or “hey” in English.
Tjena, hur är läget?
It translates to “Hey, how’s it going?”

Orka
This word expresses a lack of energy or motivation to do something, similar to “can’t be bothered” in English.
Jag orkar inte plugga ikväll.
This means “I can’t be bothered to study tonight.”

Klibbig
“Sticky” in a literal sense but used to describe someone who’s being clingy or overly attached.
Sluta vara så klibbig!
It translates to “Stop being so clingy!”

Pang på
Implies doing something directly or with lots of energy, akin to saying “right on” or “bang on.”
Han gick pang på och rensade hela rummet på en timme.
This means “He went right on and cleaned the entire room in an hour.”

As
Used as a prefix, it intensifies the meaning, just like “super” or “mega” in English.
Det var en asbra film!
It translates to “That was a super good movie!”

Tagga
To get excited or pumped up for something.
Tagga inför festen på fredag!
It means “Get hyped for the party on Friday!”

Diss
It’s derived from the English word “disrespect,” and means to disrespect or insult someone.
Varför ska du alltid dissa mig?
This translates to “Why do you always have to diss me?”

Skämmig
Used to describe a situation or behavior that’s embarrassing or shameful.
Det var riktigt skämmigt det du gjorde igår.
This means “What you did yesterday was really embarrassing.”

Yolo
Just like in English, this acronym for “You Only Live Once” encourages daring behavior or justifying spontaneous decisions.
Jag bokade precis en resa till Bali, yolo!
It translates to “I just booked a trip to Bali, yolo!”

Najs
A Swedification of the English word “nice,” it’s used in the same contexts and has the same connotations.
Vilken najs jacka du har köpt!
This translates to “What a nice jacket you bought!”

Sho
Another casual greeting, akin to “yo” in English, often used among friends.
Sho, vad gör du?
This means “Yo, what are you up to?”

Pes
Short for “depression,” used to describe a state of feeling down or depressed.
Jag är så pes efter att ha sett den filmen.
This means “I feel so depressed after watching that movie.”

By sprinkling these Swedish slang terms into your vocabulary, not only will you sound more like a native, but you’ll also be able to connect with young Swedes on a more genuine level. Language is not just about the formal structures but also about the living, breathing culture that it represents, and slang is a fun and integral part of that!