Midsummer: the key words
The words for Swedish Midsummer: the days, the maypole, the flowers, the food, the drinks and the weather.
Midsummer is the Swedish summer party: a long table outdoors, a pole covered in leaves and flowers, herring and strawberries, and songs. These words take you through the day from the meadow to the table.
- 1
midsommarafton
Midsummer Eve
Tip: Always a Friday in late June; the real party day. Used without an article.
- 2
midsommardagen
Midsummer Day
Tip: The Saturday after, a public holiday; usually a quiet, tired one.
- 3
en sommarstuga
a summer cottage
Tip: Often a small red wooden house; where many people celebrate.
- 4
en björk
a birch
Tip: Its leafy branches cover the pole and decorate the house.
- 5
en midsommarstång
a maypole (midsummer pole)
Tip: A tall cross with two rings, covered in leaves and flowers.
- 6
en ängsblomma
a meadow flower
Tip: lit. 'a meadow flower'; plural ends in -or.
- 7
en prästkrage
an ox-eye daisy
Tip: The big white daisy you see in every wreath.
- 8
en blåklocka
a harebell (bluebell)
Tip: lit. 'a blue bell'.
- 9
en blomsterkrans
a flower wreath (for your hair)
Tip: Worn on the head by children and adults alike.
- 10
en ringdans
a ring dance
Tip: Everyone holds hands in a circle around the pole.
- 11
Små grodorna
'The Little Frogs' (the frog-dance song)
Tip: The song where everyone hops around the pole like frogs.
- 12
en spelman
a folk musician (fiddler)
Tip: Plural is irregular: the vowel changes.
- 13
ett dragspel
an accordion
Tip: lit. 'a pull-play'.
- 14
ett långbord
a long table
Tip: Set up outside for the whole party.
- 15
sill
herring
Tip: En-word, usually used without an article; pickled in many flavours.
- 16
färskpotatis
new potatoes
Tip: En-word, used without an article; boiled with dill.
- 17
gräddfil
sour cream
Tip: lit. 'cream sour-milk'; eaten with the herring.
- 18
gräslök
chives
Tip: lit. 'grass onion'; chopped into the sour cream.
- 19
en västerbottenpaj
a savoury cheese pie
Tip: Named after a strong cheese from northern Sweden.
- 20
en jordgubbe
a strawberry
Tip: lit. 'an earth old-man'; plural ends in -ar.
- 21
en jordgubbstårta
a strawberry cake
Tip: Sponge, cream and strawberries.
- 22
en snaps
a snaps (aquavit)
Tip: Spiced spirit drunk in small glasses.
- 23
en nubbe
a small shot of snaps
Tip: The casual word for one small glass.
- 24
en snapsvisa
a drinking song
Tip: Sung before the shot, never after.
- 25
ett sånghäfte
a song booklet
Tip: Handed out so everyone can sing along.
- 26
Systemet
the state alcohol shop (casual)
Tip: Short for the state monopoly shop; closed on Midsummer Eve.
- 27
en filt
a picnic blanket
Tip: Also the word for any blanket.
- 28
en mygga
a mosquito
Tip: Plural ends in -or; they arrive with the summer.
- 29
en skur
a rain shower
Tip: Short and sudden; very Midsummer.
- 30
ett regnställ
rain gear
Tip: Jacket and trousers as a set.