Spring Expressions
Real Swedish expressions people use when spring finally arrives and Valborg comes round.
After a long winter, Swedes talk about spring a lot. These are the phrases you hear when the light returns, the birches get their first leaves and everyone heads out for Valborg.
- 1
Det känns vår i luften.
Spring is in the air.
Tip: Literally 'it feels spring in the air'. Said on the first mild days.
- 2
Nu vänder det.
We've turned the corner.
Tip: Literally 'now it turns'. Said when the light and warmth come back after winter.
- 3
Vintern släpper taget.
Winter is loosening its grip.
Tip: Literally 'winter lets go of the hold'.
- 4
Allt spirar och gror.
Everything is coming to life.
Tip: A set pair: sprouting and growing. A bit poetic, often used in spring.
- 5
Björkarna har fått musöron.
The birches are just coming into leaf.
Tip: Literally 'the birches have got mouse ears': the first tiny leaves.
- 6
En svala gör ingen sommar.
One swallow doesn't make a summer.
Tip: Same proverb as in English: one good sign isn't enough.
- 7
Typiskt aprilväder!
Typical April weather!
Tip: Sun, hail and rain in one afternoon.
- 8
Låt dig inte luras av vårsolen.
Don't be fooled by the spring sun.
Tip: Literally 'let yourself not be fooled'. Warm in the sun, cold in the shade.
- 9
Det finns inget dåligt väder, bara dåliga kläder.
There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.
Tip: A saying every Swede knows; handy on a cold Valborg.
- 10
Nu kan man äntligen byta till vårjackan.
Time to swap to the spring jacket at last.
Tip: Literally 'now one can finally change to the spring jacket'.
- 11
Alla vaknar ur vinterdvalan.
Everyone is waking up from hibernation.
Tip: Literally 'wake out of the winter torpor'; used about people, not just bears.
- 12
Svenskarna tinar upp på våren.
Swedes thaw out in spring.
Tip: Literally 'thaw up': about people becoming more social and open.
- 13
Jag har fått vårkänslor.
I've got spring fever.
Tip: Literally 'spring feelings': restless, happy, sometimes a bit in love.
- 14
Jag är så vårtrött.
I've got spring fatigue.
Tip: 'Spring-tired': the sleepy feeling when days suddenly get long.
- 15
Det spritter i kroppen.
I'm buzzing with energy.
Tip: Literally 'it fizzes in the body'.
- 16
Vi måste passa på när solen skiner.
We have to make the most of it while the sun is out.
Tip: Literally 'fit on': seize the chance.
- 17
Vi går ut och får lite frisk luft.
Let's go out and get some fresh air.
Tip: A typical suggestion on a sunny day, to get away from the screen.
- 18
Vi satt i solväggen hela eftermiddagen.
We sat soaking up the sun against a wall all afternoon.
Tip: A 'sun wall' is a sheltered, sunny wall where Swedes sit with coffee in early spring.
- 19
Årets första glass!
The first ice cream of the year!
Tip: Literally 'the year's first'; used for any first of the season.
- 20
Grillsäsongen är igång.
Barbecue season has started.
Tip: Literally 'is in motion': up and running.
- 21
Pollensäsongen har dragit igång.
Pollen season is in full swing.
Tip: Literally 'has pulled into motion': kicked off.
- 22
Hon har gröna fingrar.
She has green fingers.
Tip: Same image as the British 'green fingers' (US 'green thumb').
- 23
Vi hälsar våren välkommen.
We welcome spring.
Tip: Literally 'greet spring welcome'; the whole point of the evening.
- 24
Kören sjunger in våren.
The choir sings to welcome spring.
Tip: Literally 'sings in spring': welcomes it with song. Stress the little word after the verb.
- 25
Vi firar sista april i Lund.
We celebrate 'the last of April' in Lund.
Tip: In the old student towns, the whole celebration is often just named after the date.
- 26
Hela stan är på benen.
The whole town is out and about.
Tip: Literally 'the whole town is on its legs'.
- 27
Studenterna firar med pompa och ståt.
The students celebrate with all the pomp and ceremony.
Tip: A fixed pair of words for a grand, ceremonial celebration.
- 28
Valborgsvädret är alltid ett lotteri.
Valborg weather is always a gamble.
Tip: Literally 'the Valborg weather is always a raffle'.
- 29
Det blev en blöt kväll.
It turned into a boozy evening.
Tip: Literally 'a wet evening': casual for a night with lots of drinking.
- 30
Vilken lång vinter det har varit!
What a long winter it's been!
Tip: Literally 'which long winter it has been!' A common exclamation pattern.