A Night Out at Valborg
What friends actually say when they plan Valborg, watch the student caps go on and stand by the bonfire.
Valborg is the night Sweden welcomes spring. Follow Alex through a first Valborg in a student town: making plans, an afternoon in the park, the bonfire and the walk home before the first of May.
- 1
Vad gör du på valborg?
What are you doing for Valborg?
Tip: Holidays take the preposition for 'on', just like midsummer does.
- 2
Vad brukar man göra?
What do people usually do?
Tip: Literally 'what usually one do?' The pronoun means people in general.
- 3
Vi brukar ha picknick i parken.
We usually have a picnic in the park.
Tip: Literally 'we usually have picnic': no article in this phrase.
- 4
Får jag hänga med?
Can I come along?
Tip: Literally 'may I hang with?' Casual for tagging along.
- 5
Klart du får!
Of course you can!
Tip: Literally 'clear you may!' A warm, casual yes.
- 6
Ta med en filt och varma kläder.
Bring a blanket and warm clothes.
Tip: 'ta med' = bring along.
- 7
Det blir alltid kallt framåt kvällen.
It always gets cold towards the evening.
Tip: Literally 'forward the evening': as evening approaches.
- 8
När tänds brasan?
When is the bonfire lit?
Tip: The -s ending makes the verb passive: is lit.
- 9
Vi går dit lite innan.
We'll go there a bit early.
Tip: 'dit' = to there (with movement).
- 10
Trevlig valborg!
Happy Valborg!
Tip: The standard greeting on 30 April; literally 'pleasant' + the holiday.
- 11
Vad mycket folk det är!
So many people!
Tip: 'Vad ... det är!' = exclamation pattern.
- 12
Det är så här varje år.
It's like this every year.
Tip: 'så här' = like this.
- 13
Varför har alla vita mössor på sig?
Why is everyone wearing white caps?
Tip: 'ha på sig' = be wearing.
- 14
Det är en gammal tradition.
It's an old tradition.
Tip: Old, in its basic form before an en-word.
- 15
Jag har tagit fram min gamla mössa.
I've dug out my old cap.
Tip: Literally 'taken forth': got something out of storage.
- 16
Skål för våren!
Here's to spring!
Tip: Cheers + for + the season: a toast to something.
- 17
Äntligen känns det som vår.
It finally feels like spring.
Tip: The verb comes before the subject after 'finally' (verb second).
- 18
Nu tänder de brasan!
Now they're lighting the bonfire!
Tip: Literally 'now light they the bonfire': verb before subject after 'now'.
- 19
Man känner värmen ända hit.
You can feel the heat all the way over here.
Tip: Literally 'one feels the warmth all the way here'.
- 20
Hör du kören?
Can you hear the choir?
Tip: Choir takes the definite ending here: the choir.
- 21
Vad är det de sjunger?
What is it they're singing?
Tip: A very common way to ask 'what' in speech.
- 22
Den sjunger man alltid på valborg.
We always sing that one at Valborg.
Tip: Object first, then the verb: very Swedish word order.
- 23
Jag kan inte texten.
I don't know the words.
Tip: The verb for 'can' also means 'know' something by heart.
- 24
Jag hänger med så gott jag kan.
I'll join in as best I can.
Tip: Literally 'I hang along as good as I can'.
- 25
Efter sångerna håller någon ett vårtal.
After the songs, someone gives a speech to welcome spring.
Tip: Literally 'holds a speech'. The verb comes second, after the time phrase.
- 26
Ska vi gå lite närmare?
Shall we go a bit closer?
Tip: 'Ska vi...?' = Shall we...?
- 27
Det är för varmt där framme.
It's too hot up front.
Tip: Literally 'there in front'.
- 28
Är ni lediga i morgon?
Are you off tomorrow?
Tip: Off work; the adjective takes a plural ending because you are asking several people.
- 29
Första maj är en röd dag.
The first of May is a public holiday.
Tip: 'en röd dag' = a red day, red in the calendar.
- 30
Jag ska sova länge.
I'm going to have a lie-in.
Tip: Literally 'sleep long'.
- 31
Tack för en jättefin kväll!
Thanks for a lovely evening!
Tip: 'jätte-' = really, super.
- 32
Kom hem säkert!
Get home safely!
Tip: Said when friends part late at night.