Sproken
B1Swedish·32 cards

Asking for and offering help: full sentences

Polite, complete sentences for asking strangers and neighbours for help, offering a hand, and accepting or declining gracefully.

At B1 you can soften a request the Swedish way, with 'skulle du kunna…?', and handle the social side: not wanting to be a bother, and returning a favour. The sentences move from strangers in the street to neighbours and friends.

Two people climbing a rooftop ladder under a clear blue sky, embodying urban exploration and adventure.
Photo: cottonbro studio on Pexels
  1. 1

    Ursäkta, skulle du kunna hjälpa mig en sekund?

    Excuse me, could you help me for a second?

    Tip: 'Would you be able to' is the politest everyday request.

  2. 2

    Ursäkta, jag tror att du tappade din vante.

    Excuse me, I think you dropped your glove.

    Tip: The verb is for dropping something by accident.

  3. 3

    Skulle du kunna hålla ett öga på min väska en stund?

    Could you keep an eye on my bag for a moment?

    Tip: Same image as in English.

  4. 4

    Skulle du kunna ta ett kort på oss?

    Could you take a photo of us?

    Tip: Swedes often say 'take a card' for a photo.

  5. 5

    Jag har gått vilse. Vet du var stationen ligger?

    I've got lost. Do you know where the station is?

    Tip: Getting lost on foot is 'walking astray'.

  6. 6

    Finns det någon här som pratar engelska?

    Is there anyone here who speaks English?

    Tip: Useful in an emergency.

  7. 7

    Jag når inte upp. Kan du ta ner den där åt mig?

    I can't reach. Could you get that down for me?

    Tip: 'For me' in the sense of 'on my behalf' uses a special little word.

  8. 8

    Ska jag hjälpa dig att lyfta vagnen?

    Shall I help you lift the pram?

    Tip: Short for the full word for pram.

  9. 9

    Har du gjort dig illa?

    Have you hurt yourself?

    Tip: lit. 'Have you done yourself badly?'

  10. 10

    Ska jag ringa någon åt dig?

    Shall I call someone for you?

    Tip: Same little word for 'on your behalf'.

  11. 11

    Vill du att jag följer med?

    Do you want me to come with you?

    Tip: lit. 'Do you want that I follow along?'

  12. 12

    Bilen startar inte. Kan du ge mig starthjälp?

    The car won't start. Can you give me a jump?

    Tip: lit. 'getting-going help', using jump leads.

  13. 13

    Jag har fått punka och vet inte hur man byter däck.

    I've got a flat and I don't know how to change a tyre.

    Tip: Casual word for a puncture.

  14. 14

    Skulle det gå bra om jag lånade er stege i helgen?

    Would it be okay if I borrowed your ladder this weekend?

    Tip: Past tense after 'if' makes it extra polite. Plural 'your' = the household's.

  15. 15

    Du får tillbaka den så fort jag är klar.

    You'll get it back as soon as I'm done.

    Tip: lit. 'so fast I am ready'.

  16. 16

    Kan du ge mig ett handtag med soffan?

    Can you give me a hand with the sofa?

    Tip: lit. 'give me a handle'.

  17. 17

    Skulle du kunna vattna mina blommor medan jag är borta?

    Could you water my plants while I'm away?

    Tip: Swedes call houseplants 'flowers'.

  18. 18

    Kan du ta in posten medan vi är på semester?

    Could you take in our post while we're on holiday?

    Tip: Take in = bring inside.

  19. 19

    Kan du hjälpa mig att läsa det här brevet? Jag förstår inte allt.

    Could you help me read this letter? I don't understand all of it.

    Tip: Official letters can be hard at first.

  20. 20

    Jag vill inte vara till besvär.

    I don't want to be a nuisance.

    Tip: lit. 'be to trouble'.

  21. 21

    Du är inte alls till besvär.

    You're not a nuisance at all.

    Tip: 'Not at all' splits: not … at all.

  22. 22

    Det är klart att jag hjälper dig.

    Of course I'll help you.

    Tip: lit. 'It's clear that I help you.'

  23. 23

    Jag hjälper gärna till med flytten på lördag.

    I'd be happy to help you move on Saturday.

    Tip: The adverb 'gladly' sits right after the verb.

  24. 24

    Hör av dig om du behöver hjälp med något.

    Get in touch if you need help with anything.

    Tip: lit. 'Hear from yourself' — get in touch.

  25. 25

    Tack för erbjudandet, men jag klarar det själv.

    Thanks for offering, but I can manage on my own.

    Tip: lit. 'Thanks for the offer.'

  26. 26

    Det vore en stor hjälp, tack.

    That would be a huge help, thanks.

    Tip: An old subjunctive that's still very much alive.

  27. 27

    Hur ska jag kunna tacka dig?

    How can I ever thank you?

    Tip: lit. 'How shall I be able to thank you?'

  28. 28

    Nästa gång är det min tur att hjälpa dig.

    Next time it's my turn to help you.

    Tip: Time phrase first, so the verb comes before 'it'.

  29. 29

    Jag bad grannarna om hjälp, och de var jättesnälla.

    I asked the neighbours for help, and they were really kind.

    Tip: Past tense of the verb for asking for something.

  30. 30

    Han erbjöd sig att skjutsa mig till sjukhuset.

    He offered to drive me to the hospital.

    Tip: The verb for giving someone a ride has no English equivalent.

  31. 31

    Tveka inte att fråga.

    Don't hesitate to ask.

    Tip: Negative imperative: verb + not.

  32. 32

    Jag frågar hellre än gissar.

    I'd rather ask than guess.

    Tip: Comparative of 'gladly'.