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Swedish for Expats · Lesson 5 of 10

Shopping in Swedish — At the Shop

Ask for prices, find what you need, and pay with confidence at any Swedish shop or supermarket.

Expat in Sweden  ·  10 min read
📚 Swedish for Expats — Course Progress
Lesson 5 of 10  ·  Exactly halfway — fantastic progress!
👋 From my experience: Swedish supermarkets like ICA and Coop are straightforward once you know a few words. The self-checkout machines speak Swedish by default. And if you go to a market or bakery, knowing how to ask for the price and say thank you makes the whole experience warmer and easier.

Time to complete: 10–15 minutes  ·  Phrases learned: 14

Key Shopping Phrases

Vad kostar det?
How much does it cost?
Vad kostar det här? — How much is this?
Jag skulle vilja ha…
I would like…
Jag skulle vilja ha ett äpple. — I'd like an apple.
Har ni…?
Do you have…?
Har ni mjölk? — Do you have milk?
Var finns…?
Where is / are…?
Var finns brödet? — Where is the bread?
Jag tar den här.
I'll take this one.
Said when choosing an item.
Kan jag betala med kort?
Can I pay by card?
Sweden is almost cashless — card is always fine.
Kvitto, tack.
Receipt, please.
After paying at the till.
Det är för dyrt.
It is too expensive.
Useful at markets!
💡 Sweden is nearly cashless: Most shops, cafés, and even market stalls take card or Swish (Swedish mobile payment). Don't worry about carrying kronor — but do get a Swedish bank account and Swish app as soon as you can.

Common Food & Shop Words

SwedishEnglishSwedishEnglish
BrödBreadMjölkMilk
ÄggEggsSmörButter
OstCheeseKöttMeat
GrönsakerVegetablesFruktFruit
VattenWaterKaffeCoffee
KassaCheckout / tillPåseBag
RabattDiscountErbjudandeOffer / deal

A Conversation at the Shop

Lahiru: Ursäkta, var finns brödet?
Excuse me, where is the bread?
Staff: Det är i gång tre, till höger.
It's in aisle three, on the right.
Lahiru: Tack! Och vad kostar det här?
Thank you! And how much does this cost?
Staff: Det kostar tjugo kronor.
It costs twenty crowns.
Lahiru: Jag tar den. Kan jag betala med kort?
I'll take it. Can I pay by card?
Staff: Ja, självklart! Varsågod.
Yes, of course! Here you go.
Lahiru: Tack så mycket!
Thank you very much!
New words: till höger = on the right · självklart = of course · varsågod = here you go / you're welcome · tack så mycket = thank you very much

✏️ Quick Practice

1. How do you ask "How much does this cost?"
Your answer...Vad kostar det här?
2. How do you say "Do you have milk?"
Your answer...Har ni mjölk?
3. How do you ask to pay by card?
Your answer...Kan jag betala med kort?
4. What does "varsågod" mean?
Your answer...Here you go / You're welcome

Your Challenge This Week

🎯 Try this: Next time you go to ICA or any Swedish supermarket, say at least one thing in Swedish to the cashier — even just Tack or Kvitto, tack. Then try Vad kostar det? for one item. Small steps, real results.

Coming Up — Lesson 6: Getting Around

Go to Lesson 6 →