Heidi Happy Christmas! As the festive season is upon us, we hope you’re getting ready to make things wonderfully cosy at home and spend some quality time with your loved ones.
For our dedicated readers who are also taking on the rewarding challenge of learning the Swedish language, we’ve compiled this essential list of vocabulary for a traditional Swedish Christmas (Jul). Understanding these words will help you dive deeper into Scandinavian Christmas traditions, from the famous Julbord to the legendary Jultomten.
Festive Greetings & Key Dates
Start your Swedish vocabulary journey with the basics—the dates and greetings you’ll hear most often.
| Swedish Term | British English Equivalent | Context/Keywords |
|---|---|---|
| God Jul! | Happy Christmas! | The essential festive greeting. |
| Julafton | Christmas Eve | The main day of celebration in Sweden. |
| Juldagen | Christmas Day | The day after Julafton. |
| Annandag Jul | Boxing Day | The bank holiday following Christmas Day. |
| Mellandagarna | The days between Christmas and New Year | A major shopping period in Sweden. |
| Julvärd | TV-Host on Christmas Eve | The host who introduces the highly anticipated Kalle Anka (Donald Duck) broadcast. |
Decorations and Anticipation
The Swedish build-up to Christmas is marked by several specific lights and calendars.
| Swedish Term | British English Equivalent | Context/Keywords |
|---|---|---|
| Julkalendern | The Advent Calendar | Used to count down the days until Christmas. |
| Adventsljusstake | Advent Candlestick | A decorative electric or real candelabra, vital for setting a cosy atmosphere. |
| Adventsstjärna | Advent Star | A paper or wooden star hung in a window, providing a beautiful glow. |
| Luciatåget | The Lucia Parade | Celebrated on 13th December, marking Saint Lucia’s Day. |
| Jultomten | Santa Claus | The Swedish version of Father Christmas. |
| Julklappar | Christmas presents | The gifts traditionally exchanged on Julafton. |
| Julklappsrim | Christmas present rhyme | A tradition where gifts are accompanied by short, often humorous rhymes. |
The Essential Swedish Christmas Food (Julbord)
No article on Swedish Christmas would be complete without covering the most important element: the food. Julbord (meaning literally ‘Christmas table’) is a generous buffet featuring a mix of hot and cold dishes.
| Swedish Term | British English Equivalent | Context/Keywords |
|---|---|---|
| Julbord (Julbordet) | Christmas buffet | The expansive meal featuring traditional dishes. |
| Julskinka (en skinka) | Christmas ham (a ham) | A boiled and breadcrumbed ham, a centrepiece of the Julbord. |
| Janssons frestelse | Jansson’s temptation | A classic creamy potato casserole baked with pickled sprats and onions. |
| Pepparkakshus | Gingerbread house | A festive baked decoration. |
| Glögg | Glühwein / Mulled Wine | A warm, spiced festive drink, often served with almonds and raisins. |
| Julöl | Christmas beer | A special festive brew. |
| Julmust | Christmas soft drink | A very popular festive, spiced soda, often compared to root beer. |
We hope this vocabulary list helps you feel more connected to the wonderful traditions of a Scandinavian Christmas. Why not try using God Jul with your friends this year?
Read more about how the Swedish celebrate Christmas. Click here to read all Christmas related articles.
