Hej! Learning numbers, how to tell time, and the days of the week are some of the first and most practical steps in mastering any language, including Swedish. These are fundamental building blocks that you'll use constantly in everyday conversations – from asking the time to making appointments or talking about your schedule.

This guide will introduce you to the basic Swedish numbers (`ett`, `två`, `tre`), the days of the week (`måndag`, `tisdag`), the months, and common ways to express time. While straightforward, getting comfortable with these elements is crucial for basic communication. Let's count, check the calendar, and look at the clock in Swedish!

At Sprachlingua, we integrate practical vocabulary and phrases like numbers, time, and days from the very beginning of our Online Swedish Courses to get you speaking confidently.

Swedish Numbers (Siffror)

Let's start with the basics – counting! Getting familiar with numbers is key for prices, times, dates, ages, and more.

Numbers 1-20

Tens, Hundreds, and Beyond

Combining numbers is generally straightforward (e.g., 21 is `tjugoett` or `tjugoen`, 35 is `trettiofem`).

Days of the Week (Veckodagar)

Learning the days is essential for scheduling and daily conversations.

They are all common gender (en-words) in Swedish, e.g., en måndag.

Common phrases:

• Idag är det måndag. (Today is Monday.)
• Imorgon är det tisdag. (Tomorrow is Tuesday.)
• På fredag. (On Friday.) - Note the use of `på`.

Months of the Year (Månader)

Useful for birthdays, holidays, and planning.

Months are also common gender (en-words), e.g., en januari.

Common phrases:

• Min födelsedag är i juli. (My birthday is in July.) - Note the use of `i`.
• Vi reser i augusti. (We are traveling in August.)

Telling Time (Klockan)

Asking and telling the time is a crucial everyday skill.

• To ask "What time is it?", you say: Vad är klockan?
• To answer, you say: Klockan är...

Hours and Minutes

Swedish uses the 12-hour clock for informal speaking and the 24-hour clock (military time) for formal settings (like schedules, announcements).

• Klockan är ett. (It's one o'clock.)
• Klockan är två. (It's two o'clock.)
• Klockan är fem över tre. (It's five past three.)
• Klockan är tio över fyra. (It's ten past four.)
• Klockan är kvart över fem. (It's quarter past five.)
• Klockan är tio i sex. (It's ten to six.)
• Klockan är kvart i sju. (It's quarter to seven.)
• Klockan är halv åtta. (It's half past seven.) - *Literally "half eight", meaning halfway to eight.*
• Klockan är åtta. (It's eight o'clock.)
• Klockan är tolv. (It's twelve o'clock.)
• Klockan är midnatt. (It's midnight.)
• Klockan är middagstid. (It's noon.)

Prepositions with Time

• Vi ses klockan sju. (We'll see each other at seven o'clock.)
• Mötet börjar vid halv nio. (The meeting starts around half past eight.)
• På morgonen / eftermiddagen / kvällen / natten. (In the morning / afternoon / evening / night.)

Talking About Dates

To ask "What's the date today?", you can say: Vad är datum idag?

Dates are typically said as the day number followed by the month name.

• Idag är det den första (1a) maj. (Today is the first of May.) - Uses ordinal numbers for the day.
• Idag är det den tredje (3e) mars. (Today is the third of March.)
• Idag är det den tjugonde (20e) september. (Today is the twentieth of September.)

For just the day number, you can also say:

• Den första i maj. (The first in May.)

Or simply state the number and month, especially for less formal contexts or when the year is included:

• 1 maj (första maj)
• 3 mars (tredje mars)

Years are read as full numbers:

• år tjugohundratjugofyra (2024) (the year twenty twenty-four)

Tips for Mastering Numbers, Time, and Days

These are all about memorization and regular use:

• Drill Numbers Daily: Practice counting forwards and backwards. Say random numbers out loud. Look at numbers (phone numbers, prices) and try to say them in Swedish.
• Use the Days: Make it a habit to say the day of the week every morning: "Idag är det [day]." Plan your week using "På [day]..."
• Check the Clock: Look at the clock throughout the day and say the time in Swedish. Practice both the 12-hour and 24-hour formats.
• Update Your Calendar: Write the current date and month in Swedish each day.
• Listen and Imitate: Pay attention to how native speakers say numbers, dates, and times in real conversations or media.
• Flashcards and Apps: Use vocabulary apps like Quizlet or Memrise specifically for these topics.

Consistency is key. Incorporate these elements into your daily routine, and you'll memorize them quickly.

Conclusion: Essential Vocabulary for Everyday Life

Numbers, days of the week, months, and how to tell time are fundamental pieces of vocabulary that unlock countless everyday conversations in Swedish. From simple transactions to making plans, these elements are indispensable.

While memorization is involved, the patterns are clear, and the high frequency of these words means you'll have plenty of opportunities to practice. Start with the basics, like numbers 1-10 and the days, and gradually add more vocabulary like months and time expressions.

Ready to put this essential vocabulary into practice and build your fluency? Sprachlingua's Online Swedish Language Programs provide a structured approach to vocabulary acquisition and communication, helping you use numbers, time, and days naturally in real conversations.

Räkna, planera, och prata svenska!