Svenska Alfabetet: A Short Introduction To The Swedish Alphabet

Here’s a fun fact: Swedish or Svenska is not a phonetic language. It means that not all of the letters in the words correspond to the sounds they stand for. But don't let that stop you from learning Swedish because once you have a basic grasp of the language, it will be much easier for you to order some delicious Swedish treats like Prinsesstårta (Swedish Princess Cake).

Svenska first appeared in the Latin alphabet in 1225. Over the centuries, the language underwent several grammatical reforms and was influenced by Dutch, Latin, and Low German. By the 20th century, a standardized national language was developed, making it one of the official languages of the European Union today.

The Swedish Alphabet

There are 29 letters in the Swedish alphabet (Svenska alfabetet). 26 of the letters come from the basic Latin alphabet and the three remaining letters that follow the letter Z are historical combinations of the letters A and O: Å, Ä, and Ö.

Pronunciation Notes

• C is pronounced as (s) before e, i, and y.
• G is pronounced as (j) before e, i, y, ä or ö.
• K is pronounced as (g) before e, i, y, ä or ö.
• Sk is pronounced as (ɧ) — a unique Swedish sound — before e, i, y, ä or ö.