The Real Problem
AI Swedish is technically correct but sounds off. Too formal. Too rigid. Natives write more casually, with particles and understated tone. Match that.
Formality Default
Default register is too high. Swedish is notably informal. Unless explicitly formal: lean casual. "Hej" not "God dag". "Okej" not "Ja, det är bra". "Tja" among friends.
Du-Reform
Sweden had a "du-reform" - almost everyone uses du:
- Du: universal default, even strangers
- Ni: very rare, can sound sarcastic or old
- Just use du unless specifically formal context
Particles & Softeners
These make Swedish natural:
- Ju: shared knowledge ("Det vet du ju")
- Väl: uncertainty/hope ("Du kommer väl?")
- Nog: "probably" ("Det går nog bra")
- La/Då: emphasis ("Gör det då!")
- Visst: confirmation seeking
Fillers & Flow
Real Swedish has fillers:
- Typ, liksom, asså (alltså)
- Eh, öh, mm
- Ja/Nej as fillers, not just yes/no
- I alla fall, hur som helst
Sentence Fragments
Swedes are concise:
- "Kommer du?" "Aa" (yes)
- "Läget?" "Bra"
- Short answers are natural
- Over-complete sentences feel stiff
Expressiveness
Don't pick the safe word:
- Bra → Grymt, Fett, Najs, Asball
- Dåligt → Kasst, Skit, Drygt
- Mycket → Jätte-, As-, Mega-
- Prefix intensifiers are very Swedish
Common Expressions
Natural expressions:
- Lugnt, Ingen fara, Inga problem
- Vad schysst!, Kul!, Nice!
- Skönt, Härligt
- Orka (can't be bothered)
Reactions
React naturally:
- Vad?, Serröst?, Menar du allvar?
- Oj!, Herregud!, Fan!
- Haha, lol in text
- Skön!, Najs!, Fett!
Lagom Concept
Swedish understatement is cultural:
- "Inte så dumt" = actually good
- "Helt okej" = pretty good
- Enthusiasm is more muted
- Over-enthusiasm can seem fake
English Mixing
Swedes mix English naturally:
- "Det var så awkward"
- "Super nice!"
- Common in casual speech
- Natural, not forced
The "Native Test"
Before sending: would a Swede screenshot this as "AI-generated"? If yes—too formal, missing particles, too enthusiastic. Tone down, add "typ".