The Nordic Countries Where There’s No Word for ‘Please’

When travelers heading to other countries want to learn some local words to ensure they have a stress-free time, please It’ll probably be near the top of the list. Spanish has pleaseGerman has pleaseAnd French has please. But it is more difficult for those who visit Scandinavia (or the Nordic countries in general): in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Icelandand Finland, please It is not part of the vocabulary as it is in English. Without it, how can you get along?

1. Directness as a virtue
2. How to be polite in Scandinavia
3. Say “thank you” or just smile

Directness as a virtue

Often appreciated by Scandinavians More directRealistic communication may simply dispense with pleasantries, especially when talking to people they have met before. Scandinavia also tends to be beautiful Equality; You are not often expected to show respect. However, people in Scandinavia actually are Lots of tact With each other – it is expressed in a more roundabout way.

Being casual It can actually be a term of endearment among Scandinavians. You can ask, “Would you please buy me a coffee?”, but it’s actually a sign of a stronger relationship to just smile and say, “Buy me a coffee?” Lots of courtesy Risks implying that you are not very close, as you are more likely to use formal words with strangers. Being overly polite may also mean that you are asking someone to do you a big favor, rather than asking someone to do something like pass the salt, where the word is please Implied with tone.

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How to be polite in Scandinavia

But there are certainly times when Scandinavians want a word to express gratitude, or to emphasize politeness when asking for something. Here are some examples of how to say “please” in a roundabout way as the Scandinavians do. (Note: None of these words are exactly the same as in English please. pleasefor example, is It is considered a habit To have a more pleading or even passive-aggressive tone than English please.)

Norwegian // please

meaning: “most friendly” (literal) / “kindest” (implicit)

• Can I please lower your voice? (“May I ask you to lower your voice?”)

Norwegian // naturally

meaning: “Gladly”, “easily” (literal) / “if you will” (implicit)

• Do you want pancakes? (“Do you want pancakes?”) / “Yes please. (“Yes, gladly.”)
• Feel free to pick up your distance. ((Pick up after yourself if you want)) / We are happy to do so. (“We will gladly do so.”)

Swedish // please

meaning: “gently”

• Could you give me a jar of jam, please? (“Can you pass me the jam, please?”)

Icelandic // Thanks

meaning: “Thank you”

• Yes thank you! (“Yes, thank you!”)

Danish // Be safe

meaning: “Be very good” (literally) / “Here you are” (implicit) / “You’re welcome” (implicit)

• Please sit in the waiting room (“Be good and sit in the waiting room”)
• no! (“Thank you!”) / Answer: Be careful! (“You’re welcome!”)

Finnish // Thanks

meaning: “Thanks”

• Want more wine? (“Do you want more wine?”) / No thank you. (“No, thank you.”)
• Thanks. (“Thank you.”) / Please. (“You’re welcome.”)

Say “thank you” or just smile

A convenient shortcut for visitors who want to be polite in Scandinavia is to offer a few words of thanks when you feel something simple is needed. this Thanks In Norwegian and Icelandic, tk In Swedish, and no In Danish, they’re all pronounced with the same pungent ‘takk’. In Finnish it is Thankspronounced “KEE-tohs”.

However, be aware that danger exists Exaggerate it: You might want to say “ja takk” (“Yes, thank you”) if someone asks you if you’d like a drink, but if you use a lot of those drinks please Replacing words, it can start to feel a little clunky and disingenuous.

Because it makes a lot of sense please It lies in the speaker’s stance. You can also skip these formalities and speak clearly. As long as the question begins with a conditional sentence (eg Do you want or Maybe it’s me), it is usually considered Polite enoughassuming it was delivered with a friendly expression.

In many languages, please It really is the magic word. But in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland and Finland, it’s often just a verbal mess: politeness is essential. It’s all in the deliveryYour body language and the look on your face. If this seems difficult, think of the Scandinavians Venture out To other countries where the word “please” definitely exists and you are expected to use it – and no friendly expression will come close to making up for it when you forget it.