Swedish baby talk is full of melodic, repetitive sounds that naturally appeal to infants. These words often feature doubled consonants, soft vowels, and playful rhythms that make them perfect for bonding with your child. Whether you're a Swedish parent, learning the language, or raising a bilingual baby, these terms will help you communicate with warmth and affection.
Essential Swedish baby words
- Bäbis - The Swedish equivalent of 'baby'. Pronounced more like 'beh-bis' than the English version.
- Gullig - Means 'cute' or 'adorable'. Swedes use this constantly when talking to or about babies.
- Tuss - A term of endearment similar to 'sweetie' or 'cutie'.
- Mamma and Pappa - The Swedish versions of 'mum' and 'dad', with stress on the first syllable.
Napp
/napː/“Pacifier/dummy”
Playful Swedish baby phrases
Swedish parents use these melodic phrases when playing with babies:
- Krama om [name]! - 'Hug [name]!' Often said when encouraging affection between siblings or with stuffed animals.
- Vem är så söt? - 'Who is so sweet?' The Swedish version of 'Who's a cutie?'
- Titta där! - 'Look there!' Used to direct a baby's attention to something interesting.
Body parts and care words
| Swedish | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tår | Toe | Often pluralised as 'tårna' (the toes) |
| Mage | Tummy | Used in phrases like 'Har du ont i magen?' (Does your tummy hurt?) |
| Bajs | Poo | The informal word parents use for nappy changes |
| Blöja | Nappy/diaper | Essential vocabulary for parents of young babies |
Animal sounds in Swedish
Swedish animal sounds differ from their English equivalents. These are fun to teach toddlers:
- Mu mu - Cow sound (instead of 'moo')
- Nöff nöff - Pig sound (instead of 'oink')
- Kuckeliku - Rooster crow (instead of 'cock-a-doodle-doo')
For more everyday Swedish vocabulary, see our guide to 40 essential Swedish terms.
Bedtime and lullabies
Swedish has lovely phrases for bedtime routines:
God natt, sova gott
/ɡuːd natː, ˈsoːva ɡɔtː/“Good night, sleep well”
Trolla bort
/ˈtrɔlːa ˈbɔʈː/“Literally 'magic away'”
Tips for using Swedish baby talk
- Repeat words often - babies learn through repetition.
- Use a sing-song voice - Swedish baby talk naturally has a melodic quality.
- Pair words with gestures - this helps babies connect meaning to sounds.
- Don't worry about perfect grammar - simplified phrases are fine for early language exposure.
For parents travelling to Sweden with young children, our Swedish travel phrases guide includes useful expressions for families.
