Second National Language Swedish - Intermediate key terms

The ability to understand spoken Swedish in real time, such as conversations, announcements, or interviews, and to extract main points, details, and speaker attitude without needing every word repeated.

A deliberate approach to a listening task, for example predicting content from the question, noting keywords while listening, or using context to guess an unknown word instead of stopping.

The speed at which a speaker produces Swedish, which affects comprehension; exam recordings may be slower and clearer than authentic radio or everyday conversation with reductions and linking.

The shortening of spoken words in fast speech, such as 'är det' sounding like 'ä de' or 'och' becoming 'å'; recognising these forms is essential for realistic listening.

The informal spoken variety of Swedish, with contractions, simplified grammar, and discourse particles, contrasted with the more formal written style used in reports and essays.

The central message or claim a text or recording conveys, as opposed to supporting details; questions often ask you to identify it before selecting among plausible distractors.

A comprehension question that targets a specific fact in the text, such as a number, name, or date, requiring close reading rather than a general grasp of the topic.

A conclusion drawn from evidence in a text that is not stated explicitly, for example inferring a writer's opinion from word choice or the likely outcome of a described situation.

A hint in the surrounding text or speech that helps you work out the meaning of an unfamiliar word, such as a definition, an example, or a contrast with a known word.

The capacity to read Swedish texts of different genres and purposes, from news articles to instructions and argumentative essays, and to answer questions about content, structure, and purpose.

Quick reading for gist, used to get an overview of a text or to locate a specific section before reading it closely; often paired with scanning for names or numbers.

To restate the main content of a text or recording briefly in your own words, keeping key points and omitting examples, which demonstrates genuine comprehension rather than copying.

The structure and ordering of a written text, typically introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion, with each paragraph developing one idea and clear links between them.

The sentence, usually early in a paragraph, that states the paragraph's controlling idea; the rest of the paragraph supports it with examples, reasons, or evidence.

The logical flow between sentences and paragraphs, achieved through linking words, pronouns, and repeated key concepts so the reader can follow the argument without effort.

A linking word or phrase such as 'däremot', 'dessutom', or 'av den anledningen' that signals contrast, addition, or cause and thereby guides the reader through a text.

A letter written in a polite, standard register, for example to an authority or employer, with a clear subject line, suitable greeting and closing, and no colloquial contractions.

Taking part in a conversation in Swedish, which requires managing turn-taking, asking follow-up questions, expressing agreement or disagreement, and repairing misunderstandings as they arise.

A technique for keeping a spoken exchange going, such as paraphrasing when a word is missing, asking for clarification, or using fillers to hold the floor politely.

The way Swedish sounds are produced, including distinctive vowels such as long and short 'u' and 'y', the sj- and tj- sounds, and word stress that can change meaning.

The two Swedish tonal stress patterns, acute (as in 'anden', the duck) and grave (as in 'anden', the spirit), whose contrast can distinguish otherwise identical words.

Saying the same thing in different words, either to clarify a point for a listener or to work around a vocabulary gap during a speaking task without switching to another language.

Knowledge of word meanings in context, including how prefixes and suffixes such as 'o-', '-het', and '-lig' change a base word's sense and grammatical category.

The ways Swedish creates new words, chiefly compounding (for example 'arbetsgivare') and derivation with prefixes and suffixes, which lets you decode unfamiliar vocabulary systematically.

A compound word formed by joining two or more stems, where the first element usually modifies the last; the head determines the word class and gender of the whole.

The definite form of a noun, marked by a suffix such as '-en' or '-et' or by a preceding article, used when the referent is already known to the reader or listener.

The grammatical category of definiteness in Swedish nouns, contrasting indefinite forms with definite ones and interacting with adjectives through double definiteness in phrases like 'den nya boken'.

The level of formality in language, ranging from casual talk with friends to formal public or workplace Swedish, chosen according to audience, situation, and medium.

The modern Swedish norm of addressing people with 'du' in most situations, including at work and with strangers; older 'ni' or title-based address is now rare and can sound distant.

Politeness conventions in Swedish interaction, often expressed through tone, modal particles, and indirect requests rather than elaborate honorifics, which Swedish largely lacks.

An encounter between people with different cultural backgrounds, where expectations about punctuality, small talk, personal space, and directness may differ and need interpreting.

The Swedish used in working life, including meetings, email, instructions, and reports, with characteristic vocabulary for roles, deadlines, and decision-making processes.

A written record of a meeting, listing attendees, agenda items, decisions, and action points, usually in a concise impersonal style with passive constructions and fixed headings.

A verb construction with '-s' or 'bli' plus past participle that shifts focus from the doer to the action, common in formal and workplace Swedish, as in 'beslut fattades'.

Methods for learning Swedish efficiently, such as spaced repetition for vocabulary, keeping a phrase notebook, and practising listening with transcripts before removing them.

The habit of judging a source's reliability by checking author, date, purpose, and evidence, a skill tested when reading argumentative or informational Swedish texts.