Swedish for Expats · Lesson 16 · Advanced
Feelings & Emotions in Swedish
Going beyond "Jag mår bra" — the words for how you're actually doing, stress, homesickness, and everything in between.
Expat in Sweden · 10 min read
📚 Swedish for Expats — Advanced Lessons
Lesson 16 · Integration Swedish — one of the most human lessons in this course.
👋 From my experience: For the first year, my Swedish emotional vocabulary basically stopped at "Jag mår bra" (I'm fine). But some days I wasn't fine — I was overwhelmed, homesick, or just tired of everything being unfamiliar. Not having the words to say that, even to myself, made it harder. This lesson exists because expat life has real emotional weight, and you deserve the vocabulary to talk about it honestly, in either language.
Time to complete: 10–12 minutes · Words learned: 15+ emotional vocabulary words
Beyond "Jag mår bra"
Stressad
Stressed
Jag känner mig lite stressad just nu. — I feel a bit stressed right now.
Ensam
Lonely
Jag känner mig ensam ibland. — I feel lonely sometimes.
Hemlängtan
Homesickness
Jag har hemlängtan idag. — I'm feeling homesick today.
Taggad
Excited / pumped
Jag är taggad inför helgen! — I'm excited for the weekend!
Överväldigad
Overwhelmed
Allt känns överväldigande just nu. — Everything feels overwhelming right now.
Nedstämd
Down / low
Jag är lite nedstämd idag. — I'm a bit down today.
Orolig
Worried / anxious
Jag är orolig för intervjun. — I'm worried about the interview.
Lättad
Relieved
Jag känner mig lättad nu. — I feel relieved now.
Talking Honestly About How You Feel
| Swedish | English |
|---|
| Hur mår du egentligen? | How are you really doing? |
| Jag mår inte så bra just nu. | I'm not doing so well right now. |
| Jag saknar mitt hemland. | I miss my home country. |
| Det har varit en tuff period. | It's been a tough period. |
| Jag behöver prata med någon. | I need to talk to someone. |
| Kan vi prata en stund? | Can we talk for a bit? |
| Tack för att du frågar. | Thanks for asking. |
| Det blir bättre med tiden. | It gets better with time. |
💡 Culture note: Swedes generally answer "Hur mår du?" briefly and politely — but a close colleague, friend, or neighbour asking "Hur mår du egentligen?" (how are you really doing) is a genuine invitation to be honest. Don't be afraid to actually answer it.
If You're Struggling
Culture shock, isolation, and homesickness are extremely common among expats — you are not alone in feeling this, and it doesn't reflect a failure to adapt. If it feels like more than a passing rough patch, Swedish healthcare treats mental health seriously and is there for residents, including newcomers.
| Swedish | English |
|---|
| Samtalsstöd | Talk-therapy support |
| Psykolog | Psychologist |
| Kurator | Counsellor (common at workplaces and schools) |
| Jag skulle vilja prata med någon om hur jag mår. | I would like to talk to someone about how I'm feeling. |
🌟 Where to start: Your vårdcentral (from Lesson 7) is the right first stop — you can ask for a kurator or be referred to a psykolog. Many workplaces also offer free counselling (företagshälsovård). Calling 1177 for guidance is always a reasonable first step if you're not sure where to turn.
Checking In With a Friend — A Conversation
Anna: Hej, hur mår du egentligen? Du verkar lite trött på sistone.
Hi, how are you really doing? You've seemed a bit tired lately.
Ravi: Tack för att du frågar. Jag har haft lite hemlängtan den här månaden.
Thanks for asking. I've been a bit homesick this month.
Anna: Det är helt normalt. Vill du prata om det?
That's completely normal. Do you want to talk about it?
Ravi: Ja, gärna. Det känns bra att bara säga det högt.
Yes, I'd like that. It feels good to just say it out loud.
New words: verkar = seems · på sistone = lately · helt normalt = completely normal · högt = out loud
✏️ Quick Practice
1. How do you say "I feel a bit stressed right now"?
Your answer...Jag känner mig lite stressad just nu.
2. What does "hemlängtan" mean?
Your answer...Homesickness.
3. What's the difference between "Hur mår du?" and "Hur mår du egentligen?"
Your answer...The second one — "how are you really doing" — is a genuine invitation to answer honestly, not just a polite greeting.
4. Where can you start if you want professional support for how you're feeling?
Your answer...Your vårdcentral — you can ask for a kurator or be referred to a psykolog. 1177 is also a good starting point.
Your Challenge This Week
🎯 Try this: Next time someone asks how you're doing, try answering with one honest sentence in Swedish instead of the automatic "bra, tack." Even something small like "Lite trött, men bra!" (a bit tired, but good) is a small, real step toward genuine connection.
Coming Up — Lesson 17: Swedish at the Gym & Outdoor Life
- Allemansrätten — the right to roam
- Hiking, swimming and skiing vocabulary
- Gym membership and workout phrases
- Talking about weekend plans outdoors
Go to Lesson 17 →