Language/Swedish/Vocabulary/List-of-confused-words

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Ju, väl and nog and their use in oral language


Swedish people use "ju", "väl" and "nog" often in spoken language, for example in oral situations, also when writing a chatt or dialogue.


But in which cases do you use which? And what does it mean exactly?

Ju (jag vet det.)

Means "of course, you know", so the speaker is sure about what he/she is saying, due to knowledge and/or made experience. The speaker also supposes that the people who listen will agree also with what he/she say.


It is of course difficult to learn German. Det är ju svårt att lära sig tyska.

Väl (jag antar det.)

Means surely, I suppose, so the speaker hopes that the people, who listen will agree with what is says, but only most probable.


Question, Person A: Bör vi prata engelska eller tyska den här gången?/ Shall vi talk english or German? Answer, Person B: Engelska behöver vi väl inte prata. (Because this person can speak English already well and/or has just no wish to train more). /I suppose/Surely, we need not speak English.


That's also more polite than to say "Nej, det gör vi inte."/"No, we don't do that." And Swedish people love then to be in the golden middle.

Nog (Jag gissar det)

Means presumably, probably, ”I guess…”, so the speaker is not sure and least sure of all three options here, he or she thinks so, but has no certain knowledge.


Det regnar nog idåg. (=It might most probably rain today. -> But I can not know this, it is not raining yet, but maybe I see dark cloudes coming. Jag kommer nog att klara mig. (=I will most probably get healthy again). -> Maybe I start feeling better, I do something for my health etc.


I am not Swedish, so please correct me here or add information. Well, I study Swedish and I found these information interesting, especially because using these small words in oral language are typically Swedish. But I suppose Swedish people might not be so aware of it, just using them. Using "ju", "väl" and "nog" as a Non-Swedish person makes yourself right away a little more Swedish. So have fun with them, Ljus

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