Visiting a Place of Worship
Basic words for visiting a place of worship as a guest: clothes, shoes, quiet and prayer.
Visiting a place of worship as a guest is mostly about small courtesies. These words cover the building, what to wear, taking off your shoes, keeping quiet and showing respect.
- 1
ett gudshus
a place of worship
Tip: A neutral word for any religious building.
- 2
en bönelokal
a prayer hall
Tip: Literally 'prayer premises': often a room or a converted building.
- 3
ett bönerum
a prayer room
Tip: Found in some hospitals, universities and airports.
- 4
en troende
a believer
Tip: Works like a noun; plural looks the same.
- 5
en besökare
a visitor
Tip: Same form in the plural.
- 6
öppet hus
an open day
Tip: Used without an article: a day when anyone can come in and look around.
- 7
en guidad visning
a guided tour
Tip: Literally 'a led showing' with a host.
- 8
en ingång
an entrance
Tip: Literally 'in-going'.
- 9
en skylt
a sign
Tip: Read it for the house rules.
- 10
en regel
a rule
Tip: Plural: regler.
- 11
att ta av sig skorna
to take off your shoes
Tip: Literally 'to take off oneself the shoes'.
- 12
en skohylla
a shoe rack
Tip: Literally 'shoe shelf'.
- 13
ett par strumpor
a pair of socks
Tip: 'A pair' is an ett-word.
- 14
en sjal
a scarf, a shawl
Tip: A large scarf you can drape over your head or shoulders.
- 15
att täcka axlarna
to cover your shoulders
Tip: No 'your' in Swedish: 'cover the shoulders'.
- 16
långa ärmar
long sleeves
Tip: Plural; one sleeve is an en-word.
- 17
långbyxor
trousers (full-length)
Tip: Always plural; literally 'long trousers'.
- 18
en lång kjol
a long skirt
Tip: The adjective agrees with an en-word.
- 19
tyst
quiet
Tip: Same form with ett-words.
- 20
att viska
to whisper
Tip: Past tense adds -de.
- 21
ljudlös
on silent (phone)
Tip: Literally 'sound-less'.
- 22
att fotografera
to take photos
Tip: Always ask first.
- 23
att be
to pray
Tip: A short verb; also means 'to ask for'.
- 24
en bön
a prayer
Tip: Plural: böner.
- 25
en bönetid
prayer time
Tip: Often shown on a board near the entrance.
- 26
en matta
a rug, a carpet
Tip: Many places have soft floors to sit or kneel on.
- 27
en bänk
a bench
Tip: Some places have benches, others don't.
- 28
att tända ett ljus
to light a candle
Tip: Literally 'to light a light'.
- 29
ett bidrag
a donation
Tip: Also means a grant or contribution.
- 30
att visa respekt
to show respect
Tip: Show = the same verb as 'show someone around'.
- 31
artig
polite
Tip: Add -t with ett-words.