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- Topic: Swedish >
- "Ja, ursäkta!"
44 Comments
Very good word to know. I would say that we Swedes are on a daily basis 2,5 times as sorry as canadians 75% of the time.
I'm sorry we're not as apologetic as you Sweden. Oh, and I'm sorry if I shouldn't have apologized for that.
I just devised a useful way to remember this phrase. And that will be linking this to "ouh, sh*ta" exactly like the one who just erred would say
I was deciding whether I want to learn Swedish or German... I came up with the fact that Swedish is easier to learn (subjectively) even though German is much more spread
Yes. If there's an "r" followed by an "s" the "s" is usually pronounced like "sh"
As a Greek, I am used to "clean" vowels. I find it really challenging to pronounce it. But is this my impression or the "r" is silent here?
145
I did not think any nation could be sorrier than the English. I regularly hear people apologising when someone bumps into them, rather than the other way around. Still, I suppose it's better if two people, both bumper and bumped, apologise, rather than resort to fists.
In English, "sorry" is an adjective you can be. In Swedish, förlåt is the imperative of a verb. So saying jag är förlåt is like saying "I am forgive" in English.
- 145
To my UK English ears I'm sorry is an apology for something I have done. Does it also mean Excuse me, can I get past?
Absolutely, though probably not if you put a ja in front of it.
i'm not a native speaker, but i'm assuming you could say something like "ursäkta mig, förlåt" or "ursäkta, jag är ledsen".
that is, if you haven't figured out the answer to your question yet.
Usually, although context may dictate preference. For instance, you wouldn't use ursäkta for a heartfelt apology when you're truly sorry for screwing something up, while it's probably a lot more common as a quick "oh, sorry" when bumping into someone. Honestly, the only way to learn these situations is probably trial & error. At least everyone will understand either way.
