Bedeutung
A common greeting used to say hello.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The 'Du-reformen' of 1967 made 'Hej' the national standard, replacing formal titles to promote social equality. IKEA has turned 'Hej' into a global brand asset, using it in every store worldwide to signal their Swedish roots. In Swedish email culture, 'Hej' is the standard opener even in professional B2B settings, which can surprise more formal cultures like Germany or France. In some rural areas, a 'Hej' might be accompanied by a very subtle nod of the head—too much waving is seen as 'un-Swedish'.
The Double Hej
When in a shop, say 'Hej hej!' to the cashier. It makes you sound much more like a local.
Don't overthink it
You can't really go wrong with 'Hej'. If you're nervous, just say it and smile.
Bedeutung
A common greeting used to say hello.
The Double Hej
When in a shop, say 'Hej hej!' to the cashier. It makes you sound much more like a local.
Don't overthink it
You can't really go wrong with 'Hej'. If you're nervous, just say it and smile.
Eye Contact
In Sweden, it's polite to make brief eye contact when you say 'Hej', even to strangers.
Teste dich selbst
Which greeting is most appropriate when walking into a Swedish clothing store?
Du går in i en affär. Vad säger du?
'Hej!' is the standard greeting for shops. 'Hejdå' means goodbye, 'God natt' means good night, and 'Adjö' is very old-fashioned.
Complete the friendly, doubled version of the greeting.
____ ____! Vad kul att se dig!
'Hej hej' is the most common way to double the greeting for extra friendliness.
Match the variation of 'Hej' to the correct context.
1. Hejsan 2. Tja 3. Hej då
'Hejsan' is cozy, 'Tja' is for friends, and 'Hej då' is for leaving.
Fill in the missing word in this office dialogue.
Sven: ____, har du tid en sekund? Karin: Ja, självklart!
You start the interaction by getting their attention with 'Hej'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
The 'Hej' Family
Standard
- • Hej
- • Hej hej
Casual
- • Hejsan
- • Tja
- • Tjena
Formal
- • God dag
- • God morgon
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenDu går in i en affär. Vad säger du?
'Hej!' is the standard greeting for shops. 'Hejdå' means goodbye, 'God natt' means good night, and 'Adjö' is very old-fashioned.
____ ____! Vad kul att se dig!
'Hej hej' is the most common way to double the greeting for extra friendliness.
1. Hejsan 2. Tja 3. Hej då
'Hejsan' is cozy, 'Tja' is for friends, and 'Hej då' is for leaving.
Sven: ____, har du tid en sekund? Karin: Ja, självklart!
You start the interaction by getting their attention with 'Hej'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, it's perfectly fine! Just make sure to say it clearly and follow up with a handshake.
It sounds friendlier and more rhythmic. It's very common in service jobs.
Technically yes, though 'God dag' or 'Ers Majestät' is more traditional. Most Swedes would just say 'Hej'.
'Hejsan' is just a bit more casual and 'cozy'. Use it with friends or family.
No, only if you make eye contact or are in a small, quiet area like a hiking trail.
Yes, among the Swedish-speaking population in Finland, it is the standard greeting.
There is no plural! It's an interjection, so it stays the same.
Absolutely, it's the most common way to start a text.
Yes, they share ancient Germanic roots.
It might seem a bit blunt or rude, especially in a shop. It's the most important social lubricant in Sweden.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Hejsan
similarA slightly more informal, 'cuter' version of Hej.
Hej då
builds onGoodbye.
Tjena
informal alternativeHey / What's up.
Hallå
similarHello.
God dag
contrastGood day.
