Sweden might seem like a progressive utopia, but even here, social justice isn’t a given - it’s fought for. If you want to engage in these conversations, you’ll need the right vocabulary. Here’s a no-nonsense breakdown of essential terms and phrases.
Core Concepts
Jämlikhet
/ˈjɛmlɪkˌheːt/“Equality”
The principle of equal rights and opportunities for all, a cornerstone of Swedish social policy.
Mänskliga rättigheter
/²mɛnsklɪ(ɡ)/“Human rights”
Fundamental rights inherent to all people, regardless of nationality, gender, or background.
Diskriminering
/dɪskrɪmɪˈneːrɪŋ/“Discrimination”
Unjust treatment based on race, gender, age, or other characteristics. Sweden has strict laws against it - on paper, at least.
Activism and Advocacy
Solidaritet
/sʊlɪdarɪˈteːt/“Solidarity”
Unity in action, often used in labour and social movements. Swedes love this word, even if practice doesn’t always match the rhetoric.
Fackförening
/ˈfakˌføːreːnɪŋ/“Trade union”
Organisations that fight for workers' rights. Sweden has some of the highest union membership rates in the world.
Feminism
/fɛmɪˈnɪsm/“Feminism”
The advocacy of women’s rights on the grounds of equality. Sweden’s government calls itself feminist - whether that’s performative or not is up for debate.
Phrases for Everyday Use
- Alla människor är lika värda. – "All people are of equal worth." The foundational idea behind Sweden’s social policies. (Literally: 'All humans are equally valuable.')
- Ingen ska behöva leva i fattigdom. – "No one should have to live in poverty." A common rallying cry in welfare debates.
- Vi står upp för varandra. – "We stand up for each other." The essence of collective action.
Terms for Structural Issues
Rasism
/raˈsɪsm/“Racism”
Prejudice or discrimination based on race. Sweden has a reputation for being progressive, but systemic racism exists here too.
Klasskillnader
/ˈklasˌɕɪlːnadɛr/“Class differences”
Economic and social disparities between groups. Yes, even in Sweden.
HBTQ-rättigheter
/hoːbeːteːkʊˈrɛtɪɡheːtɛr/“LGBTQ+ rights”
Rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals. Sweden was the first country to legalise gender reassignment in 1972, but there’s still work to do.
Remember: Knowing the words is just the start. If you’re serious about social justice, use them in context - listen, learn, and act.
For more Swedish vocab, check out 40 Everyday Swedish Vocabulary Terms for Daily Life or Swedish Travel Phrases for the Adventurous Nomad.
