A First Visit as a Guest
What a first-time visitor actually says: asking what to wear, following the house rules and thanking the hosts.
Emil is visiting a place of worship for the first time, on an open day with his friend Hanna. Follow him as he prepares, arrives at the entrance, sits quietly through prayer and asks questions afterwards.
- 1
Jag har aldrig varit i ett gudshus förut.
I've never been to a place of worship before.
Tip: Before = previously, placed at the end.
- 2
Hur ska jag klä mig?
How should I dress?
Tip: Dress = clothe myself.
- 3
Ha gärna långa ärmar och långbyxor.
Long sleeves and trousers are a good idea.
Tip: Gladly + imperative = it's a good idea to.
- 4
Behöver jag täcka håret?
Do I need to cover my hair?
Tip: No 'my': 'cover the hair'.
- 5
Det är frivilligt för besökare.
It's optional for visitors.
Tip: Optional = free-willing.
- 6
Ta med en sjal för säkerhets skull.
Bring a scarf just in case.
Tip: Just in case = for safety's sake.
- 7
Är det okej att jag kommer fast jag inte är troende?
Is it OK that I come even though I'm not a believer?
Tip: The casual word for 'even though' also means 'firm'. Negation goes before the verb in the clause.
- 8
Alla är välkomna.
Everyone is welcome.
Tip: Plural adjective after 'everyone'.
- 9
Ursäkta, ska jag ta av mig skorna här?
Excuse me, should I take my shoes off here?
Tip: Take off myself the shoes: the reflexive pronoun sits in the middle.
- 10
Ni kan ställa dem på hyllan där borta.
You can put them on the rack over there.
Tip: Put (upright) = place standing. Over there = there away.
- 11
Här inne pratar vi lågt.
We keep our voices down in here.
Tip: Low = quietly. Verb second after 'in here'.
- 12
Får man fotografera här inne?
Am I allowed to take photos in here?
Tip: May one = is it allowed.
- 13
I entrén går det bra, men inte under bönen.
It's fine in the entrance hall, but not during prayer.
Tip: Goes well = is fine.
- 14
Jag stänger av ljudet på mobilen.
I'll put my phone on silent.
Tip: Literally 'I turn off the sound on the phone'.
- 15
Nu börjar bönen.
Prayer is starting now.
Tip: Verb second after 'now'.
- 16
Vi sätter oss längst bak.
Let's sit at the very back.
Tip: Sit down = set ourselves. At the very back = longest back.
- 17
Ska jag göra som de andra?
Should I do what the others do?
Tip: Literally 'shall I do as the others?'
- 18
Nej, du kan bara sitta och titta.
No, you can just sit and watch.
Tip: Two verbs joined with 'and'.
- 19
Hur ofta samlas ni här?
How often do you gather here?
Tip: Gather = an -s verb.
- 20
Det är mest folk på helgerna.
It's busiest at the weekends.
Tip: Literally 'there is most people on the weekends'.
- 21
Bönetiderna står på tavlan vid ingången.
The prayer times are on the board by the entrance.
Tip: Text 'stands' on a board.
- 22
Får jag ställa en fråga?
Can I ask a question?
Tip: Ask a question = place a question.
- 23
Vad betyder mönstren på väggen?
What do the patterns on the wall mean?
Tip: Patterns: same form in singular and plural; plural definite adds -en.
- 24
Ska vi ta en kopp te så berättar jag?
Shall we have a cup of tea and I'll tell you?
Tip: The 'so' here = 'and then'. Verb before subject after it.
- 25
Tack för att jag fick komma.
Thank you for letting me come.
Tip: Literally 'thanks for that I got to come'.
- 26
Kom gärna tillbaka!
Do come back!
Tip: Gladly + imperative = a warm invitation.
- 27
Jag hoppas att jag inte gjorde något fel.
I hope I didn't do anything wrong.
Tip: Negation before the verb in the that-clause.
- 28
Inte alls, du var jätterespektfull.
Not at all, you were really respectful.
Tip: Really = giant-, a casual booster glued to the front.
- 29
Jag lärde mig mycket i dag.
I learned a lot today.
Tip: Learn = teach oneself.