Learn Swedish with Movies & TV Shows
Swedish and English are cousins in the Germanic language family, so the grammar feels familiar from the start. Nordic noir shows and Swedish cinema give you hours of authentic listening material. Wordy tracks what you learn from every episode so nothing slips away.
Why Learn Swedish?
Gateway to Scandinavia
Swedish is mutually intelligible with Norwegian and Danish to a large degree. Learning Swedish gives you a head start on understanding two more languages almost for free.
Work in a top economy
Sweden is home to Spotify, IKEA, Volvo, and Ericsson. While many Swedes speak English at work, knowing Swedish earns trust, opens doors to local teams, and is often required for permanent residency.
Access Nordic culture directly
From Ingmar Bergman films to Stieg Larsson novels, Swedish culture has a global influence. Experiencing these works in the original language reveals layers that translations miss.
How to Learn Swedish with Wordy
Three steps to start picking up Swedish from real movies and shows.
Pick a Movie or Show
Browse Swedish content from our library of 15,000+ clips or connect your streaming service.
Watch and Tap Words
Tap any word in the subtitles for instant translation. Save words you want to remember.
Review with Flashcards
Practice saved vocabulary with spaced repetition flashcards linked to the original scene.
Popular Swedish Content for Learning
Great Swedish movies and shows to get you started.
The Bridge
A landmark Nordic noir series with clear Swedish dialogue and plenty of everyday police vocabulary.
A Man Called Ove
A heartwarming comedy-drama full of conversational Swedish and dry humor typical of Swedish culture.
Young Royals
A teen drama set at a boarding school, great for picking up casual modern Swedish and youth slang.
The Square
Palme d'Or winner with sharp, witty dialogue that showcases formal and informal Swedish registers.
Quicksand
A courtroom thriller with emotionally charged dialogue that helps you learn vocabulary around law and emotion.
Tips for Learning Swedish from Movies
Use your English as a bridge
Swedish shares tons of vocabulary with English. Words like "film," "problem," "telefon," and "glas" are practically identical. When you hit a new word, check if it has an English relative before reaching for a dictionary.
Practice the pitch accent
Swedish is a tonal language with two distinct pitch patterns. The word "anden" can mean "the duck" or "the spirit" depending on the melody. Listen to how actors stress words and try to copy the sing-song rhythm you hear.
Learn "en" and "ett" genders with nouns
Swedish has two grammatical genders, and there is no reliable rule for which nouns get "en" or "ett." Every time you learn a new word from a show, memorize it together with its article. Wordy saves vocabulary with context, which helps.
Swedish Fun Facts
Swedish has a dedicated word, "lagom," that means "just the right amount." It has no exact English equivalent and is considered a core Swedish cultural value (Swedish Institute).
Sweden was the first country to establish a language council (Svenska Akademien) in 1786, and it still publishes the official Swedish dictionary today (Svenska Akademien).
Swedish uses the letters รฅ, รค, and รถ, which are not accented versions of a and o. They are completely separate letters that sit at the end of the alphabet after z (Swedish Institute).
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to learn Swedish?
How long does it take to learn Swedish?
The FSI puts Swedish at 575 to 600 class hours for English speakers, making it one of the fastest languages to learn. With daily practice, many people reach conversational fluency within 6 to 9 months.
Is Swedish easy for English speakers?
Is Swedish easy for English speakers?
Yes, Swedish is rated Category I by the FSI, the easiest category. English and Swedish share Germanic roots, so grammar and vocabulary overlap significantly. The trickiest part is the pitch accent, which gives Swedish its distinctive melody.
Can I understand Norwegian and Danish if I learn Swedish?
Can I understand Norwegian and Danish if I learn Swedish?
To a large extent, yes. Written Norwegian (Bokmรฅl) is especially close to Swedish, and most Scandinavians can communicate across languages with some effort. Learning Swedish first gives you a strong base for understanding the other two.
What are the best Swedish shows to learn from?
What are the best Swedish shows to learn from?
Nordic noir shows like The Bridge and Quicksand are popular starting points because the dialogue is clear and the stories are gripping. For something lighter, Young Royals uses modern casual Swedish. Wordy helps you learn from any Swedish content on streaming platforms.
Start Learning Swedish Today
Download Wordy and learn Swedish from your favorite movies and TV shows. Free to start.