Signification
Greeting someone arriving home.
Contexte culturel
The phrase is deeply linked to 'Hemfrid' (home-peace), a legal and cultural concept that one's home is a protected space where no one should be disturbed. In Norway, they say 'Velkommen hjem', which is almost identical. The cultural emphasis on the 'hytte' (cabin) means you might also hear this when arriving at a vacation home. While Americans say 'Welcome home' frequently, Swedes are often more reserved and might only say it once the person is actually inside the hallway, rather than shouting it from the driveway. Unlike the Swedish 'Välkommen hem', the Japanese equivalent 'Okaerinasai' is part of a strict call-and-response pair with 'Tadaima' (I'm home). Swedish doesn't have a mandatory 'I'm home' phrase.
The Plural Rule
Always check how many people you are talking to. One person = Välkommen. Two people = Välkomna.
No 'Till'
Never say 'Välkommen till hem'. It's a direct translation from English that doesn't work in Swedish.
Signification
Greeting someone arriving home.
The Plural Rule
Always check how many people you are talking to. One person = Välkommen. Two people = Välkomna.
No 'Till'
Never say 'Välkommen till hem'. It's a direct translation from English that doesn't work in Swedish.
The Shoe Ritual
In Sweden, 'Välkommen hem' is usually followed by the sound of shoes being kicked off. Don't forget to take yours off!
Teste-toi
You are greeting your two children who just came home from school. What do you say?
Välkom___ hem!
Since you are greeting more than one person (plural), you must use 'Välkomna'.
Complete the sentence with the correct word for 'home'.
Välkommen ____!
We use 'hem' for direction/arrival and 'hemma' for location. No preposition is needed.
Match the greeting to the situation.
Situation: Your best friend returns to Sweden after 5 years in Australia.
This is the most appropriate way to welcome someone back to their home country.
Fill in the missing line.
A: Hej! Jag är tillbaka från semestern! B: _________
A is announcing their return from vacation, so 'Välkommen hem!' is the natural response.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
When to use Välkommen variations
To a Resident
- • Välkommen hem
- • Välkomna hem
To a Guest
- • Välkommen hit
- • Välkommen in
To a Colleague
- • Välkommen tillbaka
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesVälkom___ hem!
Since you are greeting more than one person (plural), you must use 'Välkomna'.
Välkommen ____!
We use 'hem' for direction/arrival and 'hemma' for location. No preposition is needed.
Situation: Your best friend returns to Sweden after 5 years in Australia.
This is the most appropriate way to welcome someone back to their home country.
A: Hej! Jag är tillbaka från semestern! B: _________
A is announcing their return from vacation, so 'Välkommen hem!' is the natural response.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it's better to say 'Välkommen hit' (Welcome here) or 'Välkommen in' (Welcome in). 'Välkommen hem' implies they live there.
'Hem' is used for movement towards home (Välkommen hem), while 'hemma' is used when you are already there (Jag är hemma).
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss (if they've been away) or your toddler.
You say 'Välkomna hem' (with an -a at the end).
Yes! Swedes often say 'Välkommen hem' to a new puppy or a cat returning from the vet.
Use 'Välkommen tillbaka' (Welcome back) instead.
Not really a direct slang word, but a casual 'Hemma nu?' works in texts.
No, 'Välkommen hem' is complete on its own.
Yes, this is very common at airports.
The most common response is 'Tack!' (Thanks!) or 'Tack, det är skönt att vara hemma' (Thanks, it's nice to be home).
Expressions liées
Välkommen tillbaka
similarWelcome back
Välkommen in
specialized formWelcome in
Välkommen hit
contrastWelcome here
Hemma igen
builds onHome again
Känn dig som hemma
similarMake yourself at home
