A day at the car workshop
Dropping the car at a workshop — a strange braking noise and a warning light, the phone call with the diagnosis and the quote, saying yes to the repair, paying and the reminder about besiktning.
A Swedish workshop visit has three parts: describing the fault at drop-off, the phone call with the diagnosis and the price, and the pickup with the invoice. This deck follows one car with worn brake pads and a broken sensor, so the words for parts, labour, quote and warranty come naturally.
- 1
Jag har bokat tid för service i dag.
I've booked a service for today.
Tip: 'boka tid för' = book an appointment for.
- 2
Vad är det för fel på bilen?
What's wrong with the car?
Tip: 'vad är det för fel på' = what's wrong with.
- 3
Det låter konstigt när jag bromsar.
It sounds strange when I brake.
Tip: 'låta konstigt' = sound strange; 'bromsa' = brake.
- 4
Och en varningslampa lyser.
And a warning light is on.
Tip: Lights 'shine' (lysa) in Swedish; varningslampa = warning light.
- 5
Vilken lampa?
Which light?
Tip: vilken with en-word lampa.
- 6
Den gula, motorlampan tror jag.
The yellow one, the engine light I think.
Tip: 'den gula' = the yellow one; 'tror jag' tagged at the end.
- 7
Vi tar en titt på det.
We'll take a look at it.
Tip: 'ta en titt på' = take a look at.
- 8
Hur lång tid tar det?
How long will it take?
Tip: Standard for durations.
- 9
Lämna den över dagen.
Leave it for the day.
Tip: 'över dagen' = over the course of the day.
- 10
Ring mig när ni vet mer.
Call me when you know more.
Tip: 'ni' = you (the workshop, plural).
- 11
Behöver du en lånebil?
Do you need a courtesy car?
Tip: lånebil = loan/courtesy car.
- 12
Nej, jag tar bussen.
No, I'll take the bus.
Tip: 'ta bussen' = take the bus (definite).
- 13
Hej, det är Kalle från verkstaden.
Hi, it's Kalle from the workshop.
Tip: 'det är' + name is how you introduce yourself on the phone.
- 14
Bromsbeläggen är slut fram.
The front brake pads are worn out.
Tip: bromsbelägg = brake pads; 'slut' = worn out/finished; 'fram' = at the front.
- 15
Vad kostar det att byta?
What does it cost to replace them?
Tip: 'byta' = replace/change, object implied.
- 16
Runt tre tusen inklusive arbete.
Around three thousand including labour.
Tip: 'runt' = around; 'inklusive arbete' = including labour.
- 17
Kan jag få ett kostnadsförslag på mejl?
Can I get a quote by email?
Tip: kostnadsförslag = quote/estimate.
- 18
Ska vi göra det på en gång?
Shall we do it right away?
Tip: 'på en gång' = right away, at once.
- 19
Ja, kör på.
Yes, go ahead.
Tip: 'kör på' = go ahead (lit. drive on). Very colloquial.
- 20
Lampan var en trasig sensor.
The light was a broken sensor.
Tip: trasig = broken; sensor (en).
- 21
Den är inte akut, men bör bytas.
It's not urgent, but it should be replaced.
Tip: 'bör bytas' = should be replaced (s-passive after bör).
- 22
Vi tar det vid nästa service.
We'll do it at the next service.
Tip: 'ta det' = deal with it; 'vid nästa service' = at the next service.
- 23
Bilen är klar för hämtning.
The car is ready for pickup.
Tip: 'klar för hämtning' = ready for collection (SMS wording).
- 24
Ni stänger klockan sex, va?
You close at six, right?
Tip: 'va?' = right? (tag question, spoken).
- 25
Ja, kom innan halv sex.
Yes, come before half past five.
Tip: 'halv sex' = half past five (half to six!).
- 26
Här är fakturan.
Here is the invoice.
Tip: faktura = invoice.
- 27
Kan jag betala med kort?
Can I pay by card?
Tip: 'betala med kort' = pay by card.
- 28
Har ni garanti på jobbet?
Is there a warranty on the work?
Tip: 'garanti på' = warranty on.
- 29
Ett år på delar och arbete.
One year on parts and labour.
Tip: delar = parts; arbete = labour.
- 30
Glöm inte besiktningen i november.
Don't forget the inspection in November.
Tip: besiktning = the mandatory yearly vehicle inspection.
- 31
Tack, nu bromsar den som ny.
Thanks, now it brakes like new.
Tip: 'som ny' = like new.