Swedish proverbs

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[edit] A

  • Alla goda ting är tre.
    • Translation: "All good things come in threes."
    • Note: Derived from the Christian conception of trinity.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 368
  • Alla känner apan, men apan känner ingen.
    • Translation: "Everyone knows the monkey, but the monkey knows no-one."
    • Meaning: Those that stick out are often both well-known and avoided.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 310
  • Alla sätt är bra utom de dåliga.
    • Translation: "All ways (of accomplishing something) are good except for the bad ones."
    • Note: Originally "All ways are good except the boring ones." from Voltaire.
    • Meaning: Unconventional but effective solutions are just as good.
    • Source: Holm (1981), 162
  • Alla vägar bär till Rom.
    • Translation: "All roads lead to Rome."
    • Source: Grenholm (2000), 284
  • Alla är vi barn i början.
    • Translation: "We all start out as children."
    • Meaning: Beginners should be expected to make mistakes.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 364
  • Allt är inte guld som glimmar.
    • Translation: "Not everything that glimmers is gold."
    • Meaning: Outward appearance can be deceiving.
    • Source: Wallensteen (1991), 164
  • Är det inte det ena så är det de andra, sa flickan som blödde näsblod.
    • Translation: "'It's always something' said the girl with a nosebleed."
    • Meaning: There is always something to be dissatisfied with.
    • Source: Holmqvist (1991), 114
  • Allting har en ände, men korven - den har två, och klipps den av på mitten - så har den två ändå!.
    • Translation: "Everything has an end except the sausage – it has two, and if it is cut in half – it has two of them nonetheless."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 364
  • Anfall är bästa försvar.
    • Translation: "Attack is the best defence."
    • Source: Grenholm (2000), 18
  • Arga katter får rivet skinn.
    • Translation: "Angry cats get scratched skin."
    • Meaning: Those that behave badly towards others will get badly treated themselves.
    • English equivalent: "Quarrelsome dogs come limping home."
    • Source: Börjesson (2008), 34
  • Att skiljas är att dö en smula.
    • Translation: "To separate is to die a little."
    • Note: Originally a French proverb: "Partir c'est mourir un peu.".
    • Source: Hellquist (1986), 175
  • Att försvara ett fel är att fela igen.
    • Translation: "To defend a wrong, is to wrong do anew."
    • Source: Stolpe (1987), 41
  • Att våga är att tappa fotfästet en stund, att inte våga är att förlora sig själv.
    • Translation: "To dare is to lose your foothold for a moment, to not dare is to lose yourself."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 179
  • Av barn och dårar får man höra sanningen.
    • Translation: "From children and madmen you get to hear the truth."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 179
  • Av skadan blir man vis.
    • Translation: "Injury makes you wise."
    • Source: Wallensteen (1991), 156
  • Avundsjukan vilar aldrig.
    • Translation: "Envy never rests."
    • Source: Hellquist (1986), 106

[edit] B

  • Bara döda fiskar följer strömmen.
    • Translation: "Only dead fish follow the stream.”
    • Note: Originally a Russian proverb.
    • Meaning: Thinking for yourself is better than blindly following the group.
    • Source: Rooth (1968), 47
  • Barn gör som du gör, inte som du säger.
    • Translation: "Children do what you do, not what you tell them to do.”
    • Source: Rooth (1968), 47
  • Barnet måste lära sig krypa innan det kan gå.
    • Translation: "The child must learn to crawl before it can walk."
    • Meaning: You have to learn the basics of any subject first.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 175
  • Behandla andra som du själv vill bli behandlad.
    • Translation: "Treat others as you would be like to be treated yourself.”
    • Note: This is the golden rule.
    • Source: Martinsson (1996), 141
  • Blod är tjockare än vatten.
    • Translation: "Blood is thicker than water."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 298
  • Blott Sverige svenska krusbär har.
    • Translation: "Only Sweden has Swedish gooseberrys."
    • Note: Originally from Carl Jonas Love Almqvist.
    • Meaning: Sweden is a unique country in many ways.
    • Source: Grenholm (2000), 189
  • Borsta framför din egen dörr först.
    • Translation: "Sweep in front of your own door first."
    • Meaning: Do not criticise others for what you are guilty of yourself; do not be a hypocrite.
    • Source: Stolpe (1987), 153
  • Borta bra men hemma bäst.
    • Translation: "Away is good but home is best."
    • English equivalents: "There's no place like home.", and "East or West, home is best."
    • Source: Holmqvist (1991), 91
  • Bra karl reder sig själv.
    • Translation: "A good man manages on his own."
    • Meaning: Avoid being dependent on others.
    • Source: Rooth (1968), 47
  • Bränt barn skyr elden.
    • Translation: "Burnt child shuns fire."
    • English equivalent "Once bitten, twice shy."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 351
  • Bättre brödlös än rådlös.
    • Translation: "Better 'breadless' than 'councilless'."
    • Meaning: It is better to be poor and resourceful than rich and unresourceful.
    • Source: Topelius Bokförlag (1974), 15
  • Bättre dåligt minne än dåliga minnen.
    • Translation: "Poor memory is better than bad memories."
    • Source: Holm (1975), 54
  • Bättre ett ärligt "nej" än ett falskt "ja".
    • Translation: "An honest 'no' is better than an insincere 'yes'."
    • Meaning: Telling a bitter truth is usually better than lying.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 361
  • Bättre förekomma än förekommas.
    • Translation: "Better to forestall than to get forestalled."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 173
  • Bättre en fågel i handen än tio i skogen.
    • Translation: "Better one bird in the hand than ten in the bush."
    • Source: Holmqvist (1981), 138
  • Bättre ensam än i dåligt sällskap.
    • Translation: "Better alone than in bad company."
    • Source: Holm (1981), 29
  • Bättre fly än illa fäkta.
    • Translation: "Better to flee than to fence poorly."
    • Source: Ström (1968), 34
  • Bättre sent än aldrig.
    • Translation: "Better late than never."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 363
  • Bättre stämma i bäcken än i ån.
    • Translation: "Better to dam the brook than the creek."
    • Meaning: Be proactive about preventing bad things from happening.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 361
  • Bättre tiga än illa tala.
    • Translation: "Better to keep quiet than to speak badly (of someone)."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 57
  • Bättre älskat och förlorat än att aldrig ha älskat.
    • Translation: "Better to have loved and lost than to never have loved."
    • Source: Lind (2004), 25
  • Bäst att smida medan järnet är varmt.
    • Translation: "Strike while the iron is hot."
    • Source: Rooth (1968), 48
  • Bäst bli klok av annans skada.
    • Translation: "It is best to become prudent from someone else's injury."
    • Source: Åström (1997), 194

[edit] D

  • Delad glädje är dubbel glädje (och delad sorg är halv sorg).
    • Translation: "Shared joy is twice the joy (and shared grief is half the grief)."
    • English equivalent: "A joy shared is a joy doubled (A problem shared is a problem halved)."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 251
  • Den dagen, den sorgen.
    • Translation: "That day, that sorrow.”
    • Source: Bengtsson (1957), 27
  • Den drucknes tal är den nyktres tankar.
    • Translation: "The drunken man's words is the sober man's thoughts.”
    • Source: Ström (1981), 136
  • Den enes död, den andres bröd.
    • Translation: "The death of one, the bread of the other."
    • Meaning: One person often prospers from the misfortune of another.
    • Source: Bengtsson (1957), 28
  • Den som alltid vet bäst lär sig aldrig något.
    • Translation: "He who always knows best never learns."
    • Source: Brombergs Bokförlag (2004), 16
  • Den som aldrig har tid är den som uträttar minst.
    • Translation: "The one who never has time accomplishes the least."
    • Source: Flood (2010)
  • Den som gapar efter mycket, mister ofta hela stycket.
    • Translation: "The one who bids for much, often loses the whole deal."
    • English equivalent: "Grasp all, lose all."
    • Source: Holmqvist (1981), 66
  • Den som ger sig in i leken, får leken tåla.
    • Translation: "He who enters the game must endure it."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 255
  • Den som gräver en grop åt andra faller ofta själv däri.
    • Translation: "The one who digs a pit for others, often falls into it him-/herself."
    • Note: From the Bible, the book of Proverbs 26:27, Ecclesiastes 10:8 and Psalms 7:16.
    • Meaning: If you're trying to make things go bad for someone else, you yourself will probably be the one it'll go bad for.
    • Source: Bengtsson (1957), 36
  • Den som lever får se.
    • Translation: "He who lives shall see."
    • Meaning: You cannot know what the future is going to be like.
    • Source: Bengtsson (1957), 38
  • Den som sover syndar icke.
    • Translation: "He who sleeps does not sin."
    • Source: Martinsson (1996), 298
  • Den som spar han har.
    • Translation: "He who saves he has."
    • Meaning: Saving up money and resources is good.
    • Source: Stolpe (1987), 38
  • Den som talar väl ljuger väl.
    • Translation: "He who speaks well lies well."
    • Source: Åberg (1997), 24
  • Den som tiger han samtycker.
    • Translation: "He who stays quiet consents."
    • Source: Holm (1981), 9
  • Den som viskar han ljuger.
    • Translation: "He who whispers lies."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 60
  • Den som väntar på något gott, väntar aldrig för länge.
    • Translation: "When you are waiting for something good, you can never wait too long." In other words something good is worth waiting for.
    • Notes: Sometimes jokingly changed into "Den som väntar på något gott, väntar alltid för länge." ("When you are waiting for something good, you always wait too long"). Or "Den som väntar på något gott, blir aldrig tjock" ("The one who waits for something good, never gets fat").
    • Source: Ström (1981), 384
  • Den spik som sticker ut blir slagen.
    • Translation: "The nail that sticks out will be hit."
    • Meaning: An eccentric person will often be badly treated.
    • Source: Kriss (2008)
  • Den som är fri från synd skall kasta första stenen.
    • Translation: "He who is free from sin shall hurl the first stone."
    • Note: From the Bible, John 8:7.
    • Source: Martling (2001), 85
  • Det angår också dig när det brinner i grannens vägg.
    • Translation: "It also concerns you if your neighbors wall is on fire."
    • Note: Originally a Latin proverb: "Nam tua res agitur, paries cum proximus ardet."
    • Meaning: It is also your concern if someone in your circle of acquaintances is suffering.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 142
  • Det blir aldrig som man tänkt sig.
    • Translation: "It never turns out as you thought it would turn out."
    • Source: Blomberg (1995), 15
  • Det blir som det blir.
    • Translation: "It will be like how it will be like."
    • Meaning: You can't plan everything in advance.
    • Source: Bremberg (1992), 42
  • Det dunkelt sagda är det dunkelt tänkta.
    • Translation: "What is unclearly said is unclearly thought."
    • Note: This is from Esaias Tegnér's poem "Epilog vid Magisterpromotionen i Lund 1820".
    • Meaning: What you cannot express clearly you do not grasp.
    • Source: Bengtsson (1957), 43
  • Det finns inget dåligt väder bara dåliga kläder.
    • Translation: "There is no bad weather only bad clothing."
    • Source: Eriksson (2006)
  • Det gäller att smida medan järnet är varmt.
    • Translation: "You should forge while the iron is hot."
    • Source: Hellquist (1986), 111
  • Det kommer inga stekta sparvar flygande i din mun.
    • Translation: "It does not arrive any flying fried sparrows in your mouth."
    • Meaning: Very few major problems are going to solve themselves. The only thing you can do is to work yourself to get rid of them.
    • Source: Martinsson (1996), 578
  • Det man inte har i huvudet, får man ha i benen.
    • Translation: "What one's head lacks, one has to have in one's legs."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 289
  • Det man inte vet mår man inte dåligt av.
    • Translation: "What you do not know does not hurt you."
    • Source: Åström (1997), 192
  • Det man förlorar på gungorna tar man igen på karusellen.
    • Translation: "What you lose at the swings you take back at the merry-go-round."
    • Source: Martinsson (1996), 550
  • Det ska böjas i tid det som krokigt ska bli.
    • Translation: "Best to bend while it is a twig."
    • Meaning: "It is best to educate someone while he is still a child."
    • Source: Åström (1997), 100
  • Det som börjar med en knappnål, slutar oftast med en silverskål
    • Translation: "What starts with a needle, will often end with a silverbowl"
    • Meaning: A person that steals something little/done something bad/ will probably end up steeling more valuable things/as a criminal.
    • Source: Rooth (1968), 4
  • Det som inte dödar, härdar.
    • Translation: "What doesn't kill, hardens."
    • Meaning: Unpleasant experiences will make you wiser.
    • English equivalent: "That which does not kill you, makes you stronger." -- Nietzsche.
    • Source: Tapper (2011), 516
  • Det som göms i snö, kommer fram vid tö.
    • Translation: "What is hidden in snow, is revealed at thaw."
    • Meaning: What you lie about or conceal to others is often revealed eventually.
    • Source: Grenholm (2000), 320
  • Det vatten du hämtar ur bäcken lär dig känna källan.
    • Translation: "The water you find from the stream let's you know it's source."
    • Note: Originally a Japanese proverb.
    • Meaning: If you spend a lot of time around something, you will eventually learn about it.
    • Source: Åström (1997), 185
  • Det viktigaste är inte att vinna, utan att kämpa väl.
    • Translation: "The important thing isn't to win, but to fight well."
    • Source: Grenholm (2000), 198
  • Det är aldrig för sent.
    • Translation: "It is never to late."
    • Source: Forsberg (1972)
  • Det är inte ens fel, när två träter.
    • Translation: "It's not one person's fault if two people quarrel."
    • English equivalent: "It takes two to make a quarrel."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 367
  • Det är lätt att skära breda remsor av andras läder.
    • Translation: It is easy to cut broad strips from others leather.
    • Source: Martinsson (1996), 702
  • Det är lätt att vara efterklok.
    • Translation: "It is easy to be prudent in hindsight."
    • English equivalent: "Hindsight is 20/20."
    • Source: Lövgren (2007), 144
  • Det är mänskligt att fela. Men gudomligt att förlåta.
    • Translation: "To err is human, to forgive is divine"
    • Source: Holmqvist (1991), 173
  • Det är saligare att giva än att taga.
    • Note: From the Bible, Acts 20:35.
    • Translation: "It is more blissful to give than to receive."
    • Source: Grenholm (2000), 294
  • Det är skönare lyss till den sträng som brast än att aldrig spänna en båge.
    • Translation: "It is fairer to listen to the string that broke than to never strain a bow."
    • Note: Originally from Verner von Heidenstam.
    • Meaning: It is better to try and fail than to never have made the effort.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 152
  • Det är som mörkast innan gryningen.
    • Translation: "It is darkest before dawn. "
    • English equivalent: "It's always darkest before the dawn."
    • Source: Holmqvist (1991), 98
  • Det är tanken som räknas.
    • Translation: "It's the thought that counts."
    • Note: Said about gifts.
    • Meaning: It doesn't matter if things didn't turn out right, as long as the intentions were good.
    • Source: Hanson (2011)
  • Dra ditt strå till stacken!
    • Translation: "Carry your straw to the hill!"
    • Note: The most easily found ants in Sweden build hill nests out of needle straws.
    • Meaning: Do your part in the creation of something magnificent!
    • Source: Bengtsson (1957), 90
  • Dra inte alla över en kam.
    • Translation: "Do not pull everyone over with a comb."
    • Meaning: Do not stereotype.
    • Source: Topelius Bokförlag (1974), 63
  • Droppen kan urholka stenen.
    • Translation: "The dripple kan hollow the stone."
    • Meaning: Individual parts that are weak can form a strong whole, which can overcome a big obstacle.
    • Source: Martinsson (1996), 590
  • Där vinet går in går vettet ut.
    • Translation: "Where wine goes in the sense leaves."
    • Source: Martinsson (1996), 287

[edit] E

  • Efter regn kommer solsken.
    • Translation: "After sunshine comes the rain."
    • Meaning: After a period of problems better times will always come.
    • Source: Grenholm (2000), 281
  • Efteråt är intet råd.
    • Translation: "Afterwards is no advice."
    • Source: Stolpe (1987), 62
  • Egen härd är guld värd.
    • Translation: "Ones hearth is worth gold."
    • English equivalent: "There is no place like home."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 140
  • Eget beröm luktar illa.
    • Translation: "Self-praise stinks."
    • Source: Holmqvist (1991), 67
  • En dålig hantverkare skyller på sina verktyg.
    • Translation: "A bad workman blames his tools."
    • Source: Martinsson (1996), 173
  • En gnutta osaklighet sparar tonvis med förklaringar.
    • Translation: "An ounce of lying saves tons of explanations."
    • Source: Hökby & Åberg (1990), 96
  • En kedja är inte starkare än dess svagaste länk.
    • Translation: "A chain is no stronger than its weakest link."
    • Meaning: If someone within the hierarchy of an organization is incompetent the whole organization will cease to function.
    • Source: Martinsson (1996), 597
  • En knuten näve kan varken ge eller ta.
    • Translation: "A clenched fist can neither give nor take."
    • Note: You greet others in Sweden by handshaking or hugging.
    • Meaning: A person that does not risk anything does not gain anything.
    • Source: Holmqvist (1992), 32
  • En plats för var sak och var sak på sin plats.
    • Translation: "A place for each thing and each thing at it's place"
    • Source: Rydberg (1957), 77
  • En gång är ingen gång.
    • Translation: "One time is no time."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 367
  • En gång, ingen gång -- två gånger, en vana.
    • Translation: "One time, no time -- two times, a habit."
    • Source: Holm (1981), 41
  • En olycka kommer sällan ensam.
    • Translation: "An accident rarely comes alone."
    • English equivalent: "Misery loves company."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 246
  • En svala gör ingen sommar.
    • Translation: "One swallow does not make a summer."
    • Note: Originally from "Nicomachean Ethics" written by Aristotle.
    • Meaning: A solitary event is not an indication that a major change is taking place.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 328
  • En vandring på tusen mil börjar alltid med ett steg.
    • Translation: "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
    • Note: Originally from Laozi.
    • Source: Wallensteen (1991), 165
  • Ensam är stark.
    • Translation: "Lonely is strong."
    • Meaning: You can accomplish a lot on your own.
    • Source: Holm (1981), 41
  • Envar är sin egen lyckas smed (men det krävs hammare till det).
    • Translation: "Each one is the forger of his own happiness (but it requires a hammer)."
    • Meaning: Everyone can create his own happiness (but it needs to be under the right circumstances).
    • Source: Ström (1981), 243
  • Ett gott skratt förlänger livet.
    • Translation: "A hearty laugh lengthens your life."
    • Source: Furuland & Furuland (1983), 81
  • Ett mjukt svar stillar vreden.
    • Translation: "A soft answer calms the wrath."
    • Note: From the Bible, book of Proverbs 15:1.
    • Source: Holmqvist (1991), 27
  • Ett rent samvete är bästa huvudkudden.
    • Translation: "A clean conscience is the best pillow."
    • Source: Holmqvist (1991), 62

[edit] F

  • Finns det hjärterum, finns det stjärterum.
    • Translation: "If there is room in the heart, there is room for the behind."
    • Meaning: One can accommodate more people if one only makes an effort to do so.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 132
  • Friskt vågat, hälften vunnet.
    • Translation: "Daringly dared, half of it won."
    • Note: From Horace: "Well begun half won."
    • English equivalent: "Nothing ventured, nothing gained."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 364
  • För lata svin är marken alltid frusen.
    • Translation: "The ground is always frozen for lazy pigs."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 147
  • Förbjuden frukt smakar alltid bäst.
    • Translation: "Forbidden fruit always tastes the best."
    • Meaning: Both a figurative and literal proverb.
    • Source: Bengtsson (1957), 147
  • Förbjuden väg är ofta hårt sliten.
    • Translation: "Forbidden road is often heavily worn."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 375
  • Först till kvarn får först mala.
    • Translation: "First to the mill will first grind."
    • Meaning: The first to arrive is the first to be served.
    • Source: Rooth (1968), 48

[edit] G

  • Gammal kärlek rostar aldrig.
    • Translation: "Old love never rusts."
    • Source: Rooth (1968), 76
  • Gammal är äldst.
    • Translation: "Old is the oldest."
    • Meaning: The oldest people are the wisest.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 264
  • Ge dig inte på berg när det finns småsten.
    • Translation: "Don’t set about mountains when there are pebbles."
    • Source: Asplund (2011)
  • Genom sig själv känner man andra.
    • Translation: "Through yourself you know others."
    • Meaning: You presume that others are like yourself.
    • Source: Holmqvist (1991), 65
  • Genvägar är ofta senvägar.
    • Translation: "Shortcuts are often ’longcuts’."
    • Meaning: A literal proverb.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 374
  • Gräset är alltid grönare på andra sidan (staketet).
    • Translation: "The grass is always greener on the other side (of the fence)."
    • Note: Mostly used sarcastic. When you go over the fence, you will see the grass is greener from where you came from.
    • Source: Åström (1997), 104
  • Gräv där du står.
    • Translation: "Dig where you are standing."
    • Source: Lindqvist (1978)
  • Gräv inte upp större sten än du kan bära.
    • Translation: "Do not dig up a bigger stone than you can carry."
    • Source: Ludvika Schakt AB (2008)
  • Guld blindar många, kärleken blindar alla.
    • Translation: "Gold blinds many, love blinds all."
    • Source: Brombergs Bokförlag (2004), 81
  • Gå inte över ån efter vatten.
    • Translation: "Do not cross the brook for water."
    • Meaning: Do not do things in a needlessly laborious or complicated way.
    • Source: Holmqvist (1991), 152
  • Gör inte en höna av en fjäder.
    • Translation: "Do not make a hen out of a feather."
    • Meaning: Do not blow things out of proportions.
    • Source: Åberg (2004), 154
  • Gör om, gör rätt.
    • Translation: "Redo, do right."
    • Source: Ilshammar (2009)

[edit] H

  • Har man sagt "A" får man säga "B".
    • Translation: "If you have said 'A', you have to say 'B'."
    • Note: Usually said to a person who has hinted at something that he/she then refuses to elaborate on.
    • Source: Martinsson (1996), 521
  • Har man tagit fan i båten får man ro honom i land.
    • Translation: "If you have brought the devil aboard, you have to row him ashore."
    • Meaning: You must finish work you have started.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 102
  • Hellre en fågel i handen än tio i skogen.
    • Translation: "Rather one bird in the hand, than ten in the woods."
    • English equivalent: "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush."
    • Source: Holmqvist (1991), 50
  • Hellre fria en skyldig än fälla en oskyldig.
    • Translation: "It is better to free someone guilty than to convict someone innocent."
    • Note: Originally from Voltaire.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 360
  • Hoppet är det sista som lämnar människan.
    • Translation: "Hope is the last thing that leaves the human being."
    • Source: Liljeholm (1981), 102
  • Hungern är bästa kryddan.
    • Translation: "Hunger is the best flavouring."
    • Note: From the Greece philosopher Socrates.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 133
  • Hur man än vänder sig har man ändan bak.
    • Translation: "No matter how you turn around in the end you have your end in the back."
    • Meaning: Used to express frustration when it seems to be the case that no matter how you do in the end it will go wrong.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 299
  • Hut går hem.
    • Translation: "Hoots goes home."
    • Meaning: If you treat others in a bad way, it is likely you will be treated in the same bad way yourself.
    • Source: Silva (2008)
  • Huvudkudden är bästa rådgivaren.
    • Translation: "The pillow is the best adviser."
    • Source: Holm (1981), 205
  • Hälsan tiger still.
    • Translation: "Health is quietly keeping silent [sic!]."
    • Note: From "the Odal farmer" written by Erik Gustaf Geijer.
    • Meaning: Those who are healthy does not appreciate it.
    • Source: Holm (1981), 74
  • Hämnden är ljuv.
    • Translation: "The revenge is sweet."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 257
  • Högmod går före fall.
    • Translation: "Pride goes before fall."
    • Note: From the Book of Proverbs 18:12.
    • Source: Wallensteen (1991), 24

[edit] I

  • Ibland kan man inte se skogen på grund av alla träd.
    • Translation: "Sometimes you can't see the forest because of all the trees."
    • Meaning: While overlooking every detail, you might be missing out the big picture.
    • Source: Bengtsson (1957), 70
  • I de blindas rike är den enögde kung.
    • Translation: "In the realm of the blind, the one eyed is king."
    • Source: Topelius Bokförlag (1974), 12
  • I de lugnaste vattnen går de fulaste fiskarna.
    • Translation: "In the shallowest waters, the ugliest fish swim."
    • Meaning: The seemingly most respectable people are quiet often in fact scoundrels.
    • Note: "Ugly fish" is an idiom in Swedish which means a suspicious or dishonest person, possibly with criminal tendencies.
    • Source: Rooth (1968), 75
  • I krig och kärlek är allt tillåtet.
    • Translation: "All is fair in love and war."
    • Source: Grenholm (2000), 186
  • I mörker är alla katter grå.
    • Translation: "In darkness all cats are gray."
    • Meaning: In the dark we don't see colors.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 319
  • I nöden prövas vännen.
    • Translation: "Hardship puts the friend to the test"
    • Meaning: In times of need you will find out who your real friends are.
    • English equivalent: "A friend in need is a friend indeed."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 156
  • I öknen är sanden billig.
    • Translation: "In the desert sand is cheap."
    • Meaning: Supply and demand determines everything.
    • English equivalent: "Beggars can't be choosers."
    • Source: Martinsson (1996), 704
  • Idel solsken gör öken.
    • Translation: "Constant sunshine makes a desert."
    • Meaning: You can have too much of something good.
    • Source: Lind (2004), 51
  • Inga nyheter är goda nyheter.
    • Translation: "No news is good news."
    • Source: Bengtsson (1957), 93
  • Inga träd växer till himmelen.
    • Translation: "No trees grow to the sky."
    • Meaning: Nothing lasts forever.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 93
  • Ingen kan göra allt, men alla kan göra något.
    • Translation: "No single person can do everything, but every single person can do something."
    • Source: Fritze (2007), 208
  • Ingen rök utan eld.
    • Translation: "No smoke without fire."
    • Meaning: A rumor contains some truth.
    • Other meaning: Everything has its reason.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 166
  • Ingen är profet i sitt eget land/i sin egen hemstad.
    • Translation: "No one is a prophet in ones homeland /home city."
    • Note: From the Bible, Luke 4:24 and Matthew 13:57.
    • Source: Grenholm (2000), 275
  • Ingenting är nytt under solen.
    • Translation: "Nothing is new under the sun."
    • Note: From the Bible, Ecclesiastes 1:9.
    • Meaning: Someone has always done the same thing earlier.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 354
  • Inget kalas utan kras.
    • Translation: "No party without shattering."
    • Note: Usually said by the host to a houseguest who has just broken something.
    • Source: Wallensteen (1991), 108
  • Inget ont som inte har något gott med sig.
    • Translation: "No bad thing which doesn't bring something good."
    • English equivalent: "No cloud without a silver lining."
    • Source: Wallensteen (1991), 123
  • Inget är så bra att det inte kan göras bättre.
    • Translation: "Nothing is so good that it can't be made better."
    • Source: James (2008)

[edit] J

  • Ju fler kockar desto sämre soppa.
    • Translation: "The more chefs, the worse the soup"
    • Note: Soppa (soup) is often used as mess, and an alternative way to say this is "Ju fler kockar desto större soppa", "The more chefs the more soup (mess)"
    • Meaning: It is better to have one person in charge than many.
    • English equivalent: "There are too many chiefs and not enough Indians.", and "Too many cooks spoil the broth."
    • Source: Bengtsson (1957), 73
  • Ju närmare källan, desto klarare vatten.
    • Translation: "The more close you are to the source, the more clearer becomes the water."
    • Meaning: Information becomes more distorted the longer it travels.
    • Source: Hierta (1865), 50
  • Ju senare på kvällen, desto vackrare folk.
    • Translation: "The more late in the evening, the more beautiful people become."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 349

[edit] K

  • Kaka söker maka.
    • Translation: "Cookie searches for a wife."
    • Note: In Swedish cookie and wife rhymes, thus indicating that those two are similar.
    • Meaning: People who are similar are drawn to each other.
    • English equivalent: Birds of a feather flock together.
    • Source: Åberg (2004), 155
  • Kasta inte pärlor för svin.
    • Translation: "Don't throw pearls to the swine."
    • Note: From the Bible, Matthew 7:6.
    • Source: Martling (2001), 85
  • Kasta inte ut barnet med badvattnet.
    • Translation: "Don't throw out the child along with the bath water."
    • Meaning: Don't reject an idea entirely because parts of it are bad.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 178
  • Kasta inte sten i glashus.
    • Translation: "Don't throw stones in glasshouses."
    • Meaning: Don't complain about someones else's fault if you also have it.
    • Source: Holmqvist (1991), 29
  • Klaga inte över för lite vind - lär dig segla.
    • Translation: "Don't complain about lack of wind – learn to sail."
    • Meaning: Instead of being frustrated by a bad situation, try to find new ways in order to improve it.
    • Source: Lind (2004), 67
  • Kommer tid kommer råd.
    • Translation: "Comes time comes advice."
    • Source: Stiessel (1983), 32
  • Kläderna gör mannen.
    • Translation: "Clothes makes the man."
    • Note: Originaly said by Oscar Wilde.
    • Meaning: The more dressed up a man is the more influential he is.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 270
  • Kärleken är blind.
    • Translation: "Love is blind."
    • Source: Martinsson (1996), 46
  • Kärt barn har många namn.
    • Translation: "A beloved child is called many things."
    • Meaning: Someone or something which is popular is often referred to by many different epithets.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 178
  • Köp inte grisen i säcken.
    • Translation: "Don't buy the pig in the bag."
    • Meaning: Don't buy something without knowing what you are going to get.
    • English equivalent: "Don't buy a pig in a poke."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 315

[edit] L

  • Lagom är bäst.
    • Translation: "Moderately is the best."
    • Source: Martinsson (1996), 727
  • Lagt kort ligger.
    • Translation: "Laid card is laying."
    • Source: Holm (1981), 87
  • Lat skräddare tar en lång tråd.
    • Translation: "A lazy tailorer uses a long thread."
    • Meaning: A lazy person is wasteful.
    • Source: Holm (1981), 142
  • Lika barn leka bäst.
    • Translation: "Alike children play the best."
    • Source: Rooth (1968), 364
  • Lite ljuga pryder tal.
    • Translation: "A little lying decorates speech."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 191
  • Liten tuva stjälper ofta stort lass.
    • Translation: "Small tuft often overturns a big load."
    • Meaning: A minor deficiency can ruin the whole thing.
    • English equivalent: "The straw that broke the camels back".
    • Source: Holmqvist (1991), 132
  • Lyckan kan inte köpas för pengar.
    • Translation: "Happiness can't be bought for money."
    • Source: Lönnroth (1978), 261
  • Lyckan kommer lyckan går.
    • Translation: "Happiness comes happiness leaves."
    • Meaning: You might be fortunate or unfortunate today, but who knows how tomorrow will be like?
    • Source: Stolpe (1987), 51
  • Lyckan står den djärve bi.
    • Translation: "Fortune favours the bold."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 240
  • Lägg inte alla ägg i samma korg.
    • Translation: "Don't put all the eggs in the same basket."
    • Source: Martinsson (1996), 181
  • Lägg inte sten på börda.
    • Translation: "Don't put stones on burden."
    • Meaning: Don't increase the unlucky ones sorrow with harsh words or mockery.
    • Source: Holm (1981), 149
  • Lärdom är mer värt än guld.
    • Translation: "Insight is more worth than gold."
    • Note: From the Bible, Book of Proverbs 16:16: or from Hávamál.
    • Source: Stolpe (1987), 24
  • Lätt fånget, lätt förgånget.
    • Translation: "Easily caught, easily lost."
    • Meaning: Something good that enters your life easily, will also often leave quickly.
    • English equivalent: "Easy come, easy go."
    • Source: Ström (1968), 5
  • Lättare döljer en vis sin visdom än en dåre sin dårskap.
    • Translation: "Easier hides the wise their wisdom than the fools their madness."
    • Source: Holm (1975), 69
  • Lättare sagt än gjort.
    • Translation: "Easier said than done."
    • Source: Stolpe (1987), 22
  • Låt inte gräset gro under fötterna.
    • Translation: "Don't let grass grow on your feet."
    • Meaning: Try new things!
    • Source: Brombergs Bokförlag (2004), 151
  • Låt inte vargen vakta fåren.
    • Translation: "Don't let the wolf guard the sheep."
    • Source: Myrdal (1968), 61
  • Låt maten tysta mun.
    • Translation: "Let the food quiet mouth."
    • Source: Scheffler (1997), 21
  • Lögnaren blir bara trodd en gång.
    • Translation: "The liar will only be trusted once."
    • Source: Martinsson (1996), 443

[edit] M

  • Magen mättas förr än ögat.
    • Translation: "The stomach easier gets full than the eye."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 132
  • Man får ta saken i egna händer.
    • Translation: "One must take matters into his own hands."
    • Meaning: If something is bugging you, take care of the problem yourself.
    • Source: Egard (2003), 125
  • Man får ta seden dit man kommer.
    • Translation: "Take the custom where you come."
    • English equivalent: "When in Rome, do as the Romans."
    • Source: Holmqvist (1991), 160
  • Man har aldrig roligare än vad man gör sig.
    • Translation: "You never have more fun than what you do."
    • Meaning: How much fun you have depends on what you choose to do.
    • Source: Holm (1981), 130
  • Man hör vad man vill höra.
    • Translation: "You hear what you want to hear."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 293
  • Man kan inte leva av kärlek allena.
    • Translation: You can't live out of love only.
    • Source: Beckman (1975), 66
  • Man lär så länge man lever.
    • Translation: "One learns as long as one lives."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 126
  • Man lär sig av misstagen.
    • Translation: "One learns from the mistakes."
    • Source: Martinsson (1996), 548
  • Man kan inte både äta kakan och ha kakan kvar.
    • Translation: "One cannot both eat one's cookie and keep it."
    • Source: Åström (1997), 190
  • Man kan inte lära gamla hundar sitta.
    • Translation: "You can't teach old dogs to sit."
    • English equivalent: "You can't teach an old dog new tricks."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 315
  • Man måste rätta munnen efter matsäcken.
    • Translation: "You have to correct your mouth according to your lunch pack."
    • Meaning: You have to match your revenues with your expenses.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 128
  • Man saknar inte kon förrän båset är tomt.
    • Translation: "You don't miss the cow until the stall is empty."
    • Meaning: You don't know what you got till it's gone.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 283
  • Man ska inte bjuda bagarbarn på bullar.
    • Translation: "One should not offer cinnamon rolls to baker's children."
    • Meaning: Don't do redundant things.
    • Source: Holm (1981), 21
  • Man ska inte buga för dumheten bara för att den är gammal.
    • Translation: "Don't bow before stupidity just because it is old."
    • Meaning: Things can be bad even if they have been around for a long time.
    • Source: Nyhlén (2011)
  • Man ska inte döma hunden efter håren.
    • Translation: "You should not judge a dog by its coat."
    • English equivalent: "Never judge a book by its cover."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 315
  • Man ska inte gråta över spilld mjölk.
    • Translation: "Don't weep over spilled milk."
    • Meaning: Dwelling on past mishaps will only waste your time.
    • Source: Åström (2004), 158
  • Man tröttnar aldrig på att arbeta för sig själv.
    • Translation: "You never get tired of working for yourself."
    • Source: Falk (2001), 105
  • Man är alltid sig själv närmast.
    • Translation: "You are always closest to yourself."
    • Meaning: When you make decisions you choose which is best for yourself rather than taking into consideration ethical or ideological convictions.
    • Source: Grenholm (2000), 254
  • Medan gräset gror, dör kon.
    • Translation: "While the grass is growing, the cow is dieing."
    • Meaning: While you are investigating instead of acting, the thing you are investigating is going down the drain.
    • Source: Rooth (1968), 77
  • Mister du en så står dig tusen åter.
    • Translation: "If you lose one, there are a thousand more to choose from."
    • Meaning: Usually used concerning broken hearts. There is also a continuation for it: "Väljer du en så är det tusen som gråter." ("If you choose one, a thousand will cry.").
    • English equivalent: "There are plenty of fish in the sea."
    • Source: Ström (2000), 238
  • Morgonstund har guld i mund.
    • Translation: "Morning hour has gold in its mouth."
    • Note: The strange spelling of mouth ("mund", in modern speech spelled "mun") is an old way of spelling it. "Mund" has been used since 1523 according to the Swedish Academy's dictionary.
    • English equivalent: "The early bird catches the worm."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 25
  • Mycket vill ha mer.
    • Translation: "Much wants more"
    • Meaning: When you have much of something, you will want even more.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 373
  • Måla inte fan på väggen.
    • Translation: "Don't paint the devil on the wall."
    • Meaning: You shouldn't assume something will go wrong, when it's not certain.
    • English equivalent: "Talk of the devil - and the devil appears.""
    • Source: Wallensteen (1991), 158
  • Många bäckar små, blir till en stor å.
    • Translation: "Many small brooks will form a big river."
    • Source: Holmqvist (1991), 25
  • Människan spår, men gud rår.
    • Translation: "Man proposes, God disposes."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 93

[edit] N

  • Nya kvastar sopar bäst.
    • Translation: "New brooms sweep the best."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 260
  • Någon måtta får det vara.
    • Translation: "There must be some moderation."
    • Source: Granlid (1975), 118
  • När det regnar manna från himlen har den fattige ingen sked.
    • Translation: "When it rains manna from heaven, the poor one does not have a spoon."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 276
  • När det regnar på prästen, så droppar det på klockaren.
    • Translation: "When it rains on the priest, it dripples on the sacristan."
    • Meaning: When someone is successful, his subordinates is a little better off as well.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 112
  • När fan blir gammal blir han religiös.
    • Translation: "When the devil gets old he becomes religious."
    • Source: Martinsson (1996), 78
  • När Gud kommer med döden, kommer fan med arvingarna.
    • Translation: "When God brings death, the devil brings heirs."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 40
  • När man talar om trollen så står de i farstun och lyssnar.
    • Translation: "When you're speaking about the trolls, they're standing in the entrance hall listening."
    • Note: Usually said when someone you were just speaking about enters the room. The expression is often shortened to just "När man talar om trollen..." ("Speaking about the trolls...").
    • English equivalent: "Speak of the devil..."
    • Source: Åström (2004), 160
  • När musen är mätt, smakar mjölet beskt.
    • Translation: When the mouse is full, the flour tastes bitter.
    • Meaning: When you finally got something, you don't appreciate it anymore.
    • Source: Grenholm (2000), 231
  • När nöden är som störst är hjälpen som närmast.
    • Translation: "When distress is the greatest, help is the nearest."
    • Source: Rooth (1968), 42
  • När katten är borta dansar råttorna på bordet.
    • Translation: "When the cat is away, the rats dance on the table."
    • English equivalent: "When the cats away, the mice will play."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 139
  • Nära skjuter ingen hare.
    • Translation: "Close does not shoot a hare."
    • English equivalent: "Close but no cigar."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 385
  • Nöden har ingen lag.
    • Translation: "In distress there is no law."
    • Note: Similar to (but not exactly the same as) "All's fair in love and war."
    • Source: Martinsson (1996), 248
  • Nöden är uppfinningarnas moder.
    • Translation: "Distress is the mother of inventions."
    • Source: Grenholm (2000), 255

[edit] O

  • Om en blind leder en blind, så faller de båda i gropen.
    • Translation: "If a blind man leads another, they both fall together."
    • Note: From the Bible, Matthew 15:14.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 293
  • Om kvällen får den late brott.
    • Translation: "During the evening the lazy one gets in a hurry."
    • Source: Holmqvist (1991), 72
  • Om man ger någon ett finger vill han ha hela handen.
    • Translation: "If you give someone a finger he wants the whole hand."
    • English equivalent: "Give him an inch and he will take a yard."
    • Source: Bengtsson (1957), 91
  • Om någonting är värt att göra, är det värt att göras ordentligt.
    • Translation: "If something is worth doing, it is worth doing thoroughly."
    • Source: Hökby & Åberg (1990), 79
  • Omväxling förnöjer.
    • Translation: "Varierity delights."
    • Notes: Originally from Cicero.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 103
  • Ont krut förgås inte så lätt.
    • Translation: "Evil gun powder doesn't go away easily."
    • Note: This proverb is a folk etymological misunderstanding of the German "Unkraut vergeht nicht." ("Bad weeds grow tall.").
    • Meaning: Adverse things are long lived.
    • Source: Grenholm (2000), 132
  • Ont skall med ont fördrivas.
    • Translation: "Evil shall be expeled by evil."
    • Note: Originally from unscientific medicine, earliest written form is known to be from 1623.
    • Source: Grenholm (2000), 259
  • Osvuret är bäst.
    • Translation: "Best to be without oaths."
    • Meaning: Avoid giving promises (to yourself as well).
    • Source: Ström (1981), 191
  • Otack är världens lön.
    • Translation: "Ingratitude is the reward of the world (in other words, ingratitude is only what one should expect)."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 30

[edit] P

  • Pengar luktar inte.
    • Translation: "Money does not smell."
    • Notes: Originally a Latin Proverb "Pecunia non olet." which might first have been said by the emperor Vespasian after he had introduced a urine tax on public toilets.
    • Meaning: Money has a value regardless of how it is earned.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 235
  • Pengar växer inte på träd.
    • Translation: "Money does not grow on trees."
    • Source: Bengtsson (1957), 94
  • Pengar öppnar alla portar utom himmelens.
    • Translation: "Money opens all gates except the ones to heaven."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 232
  • Prisa inte dagen fören solen har gått ner.
    • Translation: "Don't praise the day untill the sun goes down."
    • Meaning: Dont celebrate until you are 100% sure there is a reason to.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 357
  • På rullande sten växer ingen mossa.
    • Translation: "A rolling stone catches no moss."
    • Meaning: It is often not favorable to continously move or change work.
    • Source: Martinsson (1996), 661
  • Politiker är som krokodiler, stora i käften men saknar öron.
    • Translation: "Politicians are like crocodiles, with big jaws but lacking ears."
    • Source: Falk (2005), 95

[edit] R

  • Repition är kunskapens moder.
    • Translation: "Rehearsal is the mother of knowledge."
    • Source: Croneman (2008)
  • Rom byggdes inte på en dag.
    • Translation: "Rome was not built in one day."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 381
  • Ropa inte hej förrän du är över bäcken.
    • Translation: "Don't shout 'hi' until you have crossed the creak."
    • Meaning: Don't cap a victory in advance, and don't announce something officially which you are not entirely sure of.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 132

[edit] S

  • Sagt ord och kastad sten kan inte tas tillbaka.
    • Translate: "Said word and thrown stone can't be taken back."
    • Meaning: You can't take back what you have said.
    • Source: Stolpe (1987), 58
  • Sakta men säkert.
    • Translation: "Slow but steady."
    • Notes: Usually said when a work is progressing slowly, but still is heading in the right direction. The word "säkert" has several meanings (surely, certainly, safely, securely), somewhat broadening the use of the proverb, though most Swedes probably would agree that it is mainly used to express certainty about the progress of the work.
    • Source: Holm (1981), 133
  • Sent skall syndaren vakna.
    • Translation: "Late shall the sinner awaken."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 322
  • Själv är bästa dräng.
    • Translation: "Self is the best farm hand.”
    • Source: Rooth (1968), 71
  • Skam den som ger sig.
    • Translation: "Shame on the one who gives up."
    • Source: Östergren (1978), 9
  • Skadeglädjen är den enda sanna glädjen.
    • Translation: "Schadenfreude is the only true joy."
    • Source: Åberg (1997), 85
  • Skenet bedrar.
    • Translation: "Appearances deceive."
    • Meaning: Things are not as they seem to be.
    • Source: Bengtsson (1967), 100
  • Skjut inte dig själv i foten.
    • Translation: "Don't shoot yourself in the foot."
    • Meaning: Try to avoid doing things which are beneficial for others but detrimental for yourself.
    • Source: Ferm (2006), 159
  • Skjut inte upp till morgondagen det du kan göra idag.
    • Translation: "Don't postpone till tomorrow what you can do today."
    • Source: Holmqvist (1991), 69
  • Skomakare bliv vid din läst.
    • Translation: "Cobbler, stick to your last."
    • Note: Its origin is set down in Pliny the Elder's Naturalis Historia [XXXV, 36, 85-86 (Loeb IX, 323-325)] where he records that a shoemaker (sutor) had approached the painter Apelles of Kos to point out a defect in the artist's rendition of a sandal (crepida from Greek krepis), which Apelles duly corrected. Encouraged by this, the shoemaker then began to enlarge on other defects he considered present in the painting, at which point Apelles advised him that Ne supra crepidam sutor iudicaret (a shoemaker should not judge above the sandal), which advice, Pliny observed, had become a proverbial saying.
    • Meaning: Don't talk about something you don't know anything about.
    • Source: Martinsson (1996), 361
  • Skrattar bäst, som skrattar sist.
    • Translation: "He laughs best who laughs last."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 255
  • Skynda långsamt.
    • Translation: "Hurry slowly."
    • Meaning: Start working as soon as possible, but do your work slowly to make sure it gets thoroughly done.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 288
  • Skåda inte given häst i mun.
    • Translation: "Don't look a horse that was given to you in the mouth."
    • Note: From the fact that a horses age can be determined by its teeth.
    • Meaning: Don't criticize a gift.
    • English equivalent: "Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 308
  • Slutet gott, allting gott.
    • Translation: "The end is good, everything is good."
    • Note: Originally from William Shakespeare.
    • English equivalent: "All's well that ends well."
    • Source: Grenholm (2000), 316
  • Smakar det så kostar det.
    • Translation: "If it tastes it costs."
    • Meaning: You get what you pay for.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 296
  • Smaken är som baken, delad.
    • Translation: "Taste is like buttocks, divided."
    • Meaning: People simply have different taste and no taste is "right" or "wrong".
    • Source: Hellquist (1986), 174
  • Små smulor är också bröd.
    • Translation: "Small crumbles are also bread."
    • Meaning: Something is better than nothing.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 106
  • Små sår och fattiga vänner ska man inte förakta.
    • Translation: "Small wounds and poor friends should not be despised."
    • Meaning: You should not ignore minor problems and you never know which people are going to be of use to you.
    • Source: Rooth (1968), 87
  • Snålheten bedrar visheten.
    • Translation: "Stinginess deceives wisdom."
    • Source: Wallensteen (1991), 20
  • Som de gamla sjunga, så kvittra de unga.
    • Translation: "As old people sing, young people tweet."
    • Meaning: Children will become like older generations.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 263
  • Som fan läser bibeln.
    • Translation: "As the devil reads the bible."
    • Note: From the Bible, Luke 4:1-13, Matthew 4:1-11 and Psalms 91:11-12.
    • Source: Martling (1991), 34
  • Som man bäddar får man ligga.
    • Translation: "The way you make your bed, that's how you'll sleep." or "The way you make your bed, is the way you'll lie."
    • Meaning: Said when you claim that someone only got himself to blame.
    • English equivalent: "Make your bed and sleep in it."
    • Source: Holmqvist (1991), 31
  • Som man ropar i skogen får man svar.
    • Translation: "As you shout so you get answered."
    • Meaning: You will be treated politely to the same extent as you are polite yourself.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 339
  • Som man sår får man skörda.
    • Translation: "As you sow, so shall you reap."
    • Source: Holmqvist (1991), 31
  • Som man är klädd blir man hädd.
    • Translation: "As you are clothed so you will be judged."
    • Meaning: You will be judge by outward appearances, such as your clothing.
    • Source: Åberg (1997), 38
  • Somliga straffar Gud direkt.
    • Translation: "God punishes some people immediately."
    • Source: Rolfer (2006)
  • Sovande bonde får drömmande dräng.
    • Translation: "Sleeping farmer gets a dreaming farm hand."
    • Meaning: A passive person gets surrounded by other passive people.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 278
  • Spill inte krut på döda kråkor.
    • Translation: "Don't drop gunpowder on dead crows."
    • Meaning: Don't talk about something that no one is interested in, or that has already been thoroughly discussed.
    • English equivalent: "To flog a dead horse."
    • Source: Holm (1981), 89
  • Spotta inte i motvind.
    • Translation: "Don't spit in headwind."
    • Meaning: The inverse of "Strike while the iron is hot.".
    • Source: Ström (1981), 213
  • Stor i orden, liten på jorden.
    • Translation: "Big in the words, small on the ground."
    • Notes: From the short story "New Weapons" written by August Strindberg.
    • Meaning: Said about someone who wants to give the impression of being better than he/she in reality is.
    • Source: Holmqvist (1991), 55
  • Surt sade räven om rönnbären. (or just "surt sa räven")
    • Translation: "'Sour' said the fox about rowanberries"
    • Meaning: From a story about a fox that wants to eat some rowanberries that he can't reach because they're high up in a tree. A crow lands in the tree and starts eating the berries. When the crow asks the fox if he wants some, the fox replies "No, they're sour". The proverb can be used to state that you think someone really wants something the person claims they do not or that the person makes up an excuse for not wanting it because they cannot get it anyway.
    • English equivalent: Aesop's Fable "The Fox and the Grapes" and the derived English expression "Sour grapes".
    • Source: Ström (1981), 332
  • Så länge det finns liv finns det hopp.
    • Translation: "As long as there is life there is hope."
    • Meaning: No matter how grave the situation is, there is always a chance that everything will work out.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 122
  • Sådan herre, sådan dräng/slav/hund.
    • Translation: "Like master like farm hand/slave/dog."
    • Note: From "Trimalchios feast" by Petronius.
    • Meaning: An employer will employ someone that is similar to himself.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 213
  • Såga inte av den gren du sitter på.
    • Translation: "Don't saw off the branch you're sitting on."
    • English equivalent: "Don't bite the hand that feeds you."
    • Source: Holm (1981), 58
  • Sälj inte skinnet förrän björnen är skjuten.
    • Translation: "Don't sell the fur until the bear has been shot."
    • English equivalent: "Don't count your chickens before they're hatched."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 304
  • Sälj ägget, och inte hönan.
    • Translation: "Sell the egg, and not the hen."
    • Note: This is originally a Russian proverb.
    • Meaning: Don't sell the assets that generate revenues, instead sell what the assets generate.
    • Source: Holmqvist (1991), 188
  • Sök och du skall finna.
    • Translation: "Search and you shall find."
    • Notes: From the Bible, Matthew 7:7-7:8.
    • Source: Grenholm (2000), 351

[edit] T

  • Tala är silver, tiga är guld.
    • Translation: "To speak is silver, to keep silent is gold."
    • Source: Martinsson (1996), 483
  • Tiden går fort när man har roligt.
    • Translation: "Time passes by quickly when you are enjoying yourself."
    • Source: Hagefors (1995), 74
  • Tiden läker alla sår.
    • Translation: "Time heals all wounds."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 341
  • Tillfället gör tjuven.
    • Translation: "The opportunity creates the thief."
    • Source: Bengtsson (1957), 108
  • Tomma tunnor skramlar mest.
    • Translation: "Empty barrels make the most noise."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 205
  • Trägen vinner (trots allt).
    • Translation: "Assiduous wins (despite everything)."
    • English equivalent: "Persevere and never fear."
    • Source: Martinsson (1996), 536
  • Tron kan förflytta berg.
    • Translation: "Faith can move mountains."
    • Note: Compare with First Corinthians 13:2, and Mark 11:23.
    • Meaning: If you really believe in something and is willing to work hard for it, you can accomplish marvels.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 49
  • "Tänd inte den eld du inte kan släcka."
    • Translation: "Don't light up the fire you can't extinguish."
    • Meaning: Do not put yourself in situations you cannot handle.
    • Source: Brombergs Bokförlag (2004), 163
  • Tänk efter före.
    • Translation: "Reflect on beforehand."
    • Meaning: "think through the consequences before you act". The proverb is also somewhat of a word game, since the Swedish expression for "reflect" literally is made up of the words "think after" and "on beforehand" literally is "before", rendering the sentence "think after before".
    • English equivalent: "Look before you leap."
    • Source: Stolpe (1987), 49
  • Två fel gör inte ett rätt.
    • Translation: "Two errors does not make one right."
    • Source: Popova (2004), 93
  • Tålamod är konsten att hoppas.
    • Translation: "Patience is the art of hoping."
    • Source: Topelius Bokförlag (1974), 86

[edit] U

  • Undantaget bekräftar regeln.
    • Translation: "The exception confirms the rule."
    • Source: Martinsson (1996), 293

[edit] V

  • Var dag har nog av sin egen plåga.
    • Translation: "Each day has enough of its own misery".
    • Note: From the Bible, Matthew 6:34.
    • Meaning: Do not worry about tomorrow; focus on today's worries.
    • Source: Holmqvist (1991), 236
  • Var sak har sin tid.
    • Translation: "Each thing has its time."
    • Note: From the Bible, Ecclesiastes 3:1.
    • Meaning: Each thing has its appropriate time.
    • Source: Söderbäck (1989), 42
  • Var fågel sjunger efter sin egen näbb.
    • Translation: "Each bird sings according to its own beak."
    • Meaning: Everyone is different.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 295
  • Var skall sleven vara om inte i grytan?
    • Translation: "Where shall the ladle be if not in the cauldron?"
    • Meaning: You get along well with those who are similar to you.
    • Source: Grenholm (2000), 315
  • Var smed har sin sed.
    • Translation: "Each smith has his custom."
    • Meaning: Each household has its own customs.
    • Source: Svenska Akademin (1876), entry "Smed"
  • Varav hjärtat är fullt talar munnen.
    • Translation: "Of whom the heart is full speaks the mouth."
    • Note: From the Bible, Matthew 12:34.
    • Meaning: What you say mirrors what you really think.
    • Source: Holmqvist (1991), 56
  • Varje moln har en silverkant.
    • Translation: "Every cloud has its silver lining."
    • Meaning: It is always possible to get something good out of a bad situation.
    • Source: Holm (1981), 108
  • Varnad är väpnad.
    • Translation: "Warned is armed."
    • Meaning: A warned person is prepared.
    • Source: Martinsson (1996), 185
  • Verkligheten överträffar dikten.
    • Translation: "Reality surpasses the poem."
    • Source: Holm (1981), 171
  • Vill man vara fin får man lida pin.
    • Translation: "If one wants to look good, one will have to endure pain."
    • Meaning: Keeping oneself well-dressed and attractive is hard work.
    • Source: Pått (1996), 31
  • Vis är den som råd lyder, men oråd skall ingen lyda.
    • Translation: "Wise is the one who obeys advice, but no one should obey discouraging advice."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 205
  • Visdomen har långa öron och kort tunga.
    • Translation: "Wisdom has long ears and a short tongue.”
    • Source: Topelius Bokförlag (1974), 90
  • Våld är den enfaldiges sista utväg.
    • Translation: "Violence is the dimwitted ones last resort."
    • Source: Unge (2010)
  • Väck inte den björn som sover.
    • Translation: "Don't wake the bear that sleeps."
    • Meaning: Don't bring up an injustice from the distant past.
    • English equivalent: "Let sleeping dogs lie."
    • Source: Bengtsson (1957), 116
  • Vännens örfil är ärligt menad, fiendens kyssar vill bedra.
    • Translation: "A friends slap has honest intentions, your enemies kisses are meant to deceive."
    • Note: From the Book of Proverbs 27:6.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 155
  • Vägen till helvetet är kantad med goda föresatser.
    • Translation: "The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”
    • Source: Åberg (2004), 93
  • Vägen till mannens hjärta går genom magen.
    • Translation: "The way to a man's heart goes through his stomach.”
    • Meaning: Men love women who can cook.
    • Source: Martinsson (1996), 281
  • Väggarna har öron.
    • Translation: "The walls have ears.”
    • Meaning: Someone you are talking about will often overhear your conversation.
    • Source: Martinsson (1996), 281
  • Världen är liten.
    • Translation: "The world is small."
    • Meaning: Said when you discover that you have people in common in your circle of acquaintances, even though you live far apart from each other.
    • Source: Holm (1965), 366
  • Värpa först, kackla sedan.
    • Translation: "Lay eggs first, then cackle."
    • Meaning: First do your task, then talk about it.
    • Source: Pehrsdotter (2009)

[edit] Å

  • Åsnan känns igen på öronen, den dumme på sina ord.
    • Translation: "The donkey is recognized by his ears, the stupid one by his words."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 309

[edit] Ä

  • Älska mig när jag minst av allt förtjänar det, för det är då jag behöver det som mest.
    • Translation: "Love me when I least deserve it, because that is when I need it the most."
    • Source: Holmqvist (1991), 184
  • Ändamålet helgar medlen.
    • Translation: "The end justifies the means."
    • Source: Grenholm (2000), 400
  • Äpplet faller inte långt från trädet.
    • Translation: "The apple does not drop far from the tree."
    • English equivalent: "Like father, like son."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 337
  • Ärlighet varar längst.
    • Translation: "Honesty lasts the longest."
    • English equivalent: Honesty is the best policy.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 186
  • Äras den som äras bör.
    • Translation: "Honor whom should be honored.”
    • English equivalent: "Give credit where credit is due."
    • Source: Grenholm (2000), 402
  • Äta bör man annars dör man.
    • Translation: "One should eat otherwise one dies."
    • Source: Grenholm (2000), 403
  • Även den bäste kan fela.
    • Translation: "Even the best one can do wrong."
    • Source: Dalin (1850), 744
  • Även dåren tros vis om han tiger.
    • Translation: "Even the madman is thought wise if he remains silent."
    • Source: Wallensteen (1991), 43
  • Även en blind höna kan hitta ett korn.
    • Translation: "Even a blind hen can find a grain."
    • Meaning: Even an incompetent person will sometimes be right.
    • English equivalent: "A broken watch is right two times a day."
    • Source: Ström (1981), 293
  • Även små grytor har öron. or Små grytor har också öron.
    • Translation: "Small pots have ears too."
    • Meaning: Children often understand more than one might think.
    • Source: Wallensteen (1991), 95
  • Även solen har sina fläckar.
    • Translation: "The sun also has its spots."
    • Meaning: No one is perfect.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 356

[edit] Ö

  • Öga för öga, tand för tand.
    • Translation: "Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth."
    • Note: Originally from the Bible, Leviticus 24:19-21, Exodus 21:23-25 and Deuteronomy 19:16-21.
    • Meaning: You should get a punishment which correspond to your crime.
    • Source: Ström (1981), 293
  • Ögonen vill ha mer än magen.
    • Translation: "The eyes want more than the stomach."
    • Source: Holm (1981), 181
  • Övning ger färdighet.
    • Translation: "Practice gives skill."
    • English equivalent: "Practice makes perfect."
    • Source: Bengtsson (1957), 121

[edit] References

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