Sproken
B1Swedish·30 cards

Talking About Fasting

Useful sentences about why and how people fast, managing work and energy, and sharing the evening meal.

Whether you fast yourself or work with someone who does, these sentences help you explain, ask kindly and plan around it, from long Swedish summer days to the meal that breaks the fast.

A group of people sharing freshly baked bread, highlighting warmth and community.
Photo: Gül Işık on Pexels
  1. 1

    Många fastar av religiösa skäl.

    Many people fast for religious reasons.

    Tip: For reasons = 'of' reasons.

  2. 2

    Andra fastar för hälsans skull.

    Others fast for the sake of their health.

    Tip: For X's sake: the genitive sits between two fixed words.

  3. 3

    Vissa kan inte fasta av hälsoskäl.

    Some people can't fast for health reasons.

    Tip: Health reasons = one compound noun.

  4. 4

    Under fastan äter och dricker man inte när det är ljust ute.

    During the fast, you don't eat or drink while it's light out.

    Tip: Verb second after the time phrase.

  5. 5

    På sommaren kan dagarna bli väldigt långa i Sverige.

    In summer, the days can be very long in Sweden.

    Tip: Can become = can get.

  6. 6

    Det är tuffare att fasta när solen går ner sent.

    Fasting is tougher when the sun sets late.

    Tip: Tougher = comparative of a borrowed adjective.

  7. 7

    Jag går upp tidigt för att äta före gryningen.

    I get up early to eat before dawn.

    Tip: Get up = go up. In order to = for to.

  8. 8

    Frukosten måste räcka hela dagen.

    Breakfast has to last all day.

    Tip: Last = be enough, reach.

  9. 9

    Jag försöker dricka mycket vatten på kvällen.

    I try to drink a lot of water in the evening.

    Tip: Try + infinitive, no 'to' needed here.

  10. 10

    Jag får huvudvärk om jag inte dricker kaffe.

    I get a headache if I don't have coffee.

    Tip: Get a headache = 'get head-ache', no article.

  11. 11

    Efter några dagar vänjer sig kroppen.

    After a few days, the body gets used to it.

    Tip: Reflexive verb; verb second after the time phrase.

  12. 12

    Jag är lite långsammare än vanligt den här månaden.

    I'm a bit slower than usual this month.

    Tip: Than usual = than normal.

  13. 13

    Jag vill helst ha möten på förmiddagen.

    I'd rather have meetings in the morning.

    Tip: Literally 'I want most-preferably to have meetings'.

  14. 14

    Går det bra om jag går lite tidigare i dag?

    Is it OK if I leave a bit earlier today?

    Tip: Word for word: 'does it go well if I go ...'.

  15. 15

    Jag tar igen timmarna nästa vecka.

    I'll make up the hours next week.

    Tip: Make up = take again.

  16. 16

    Jag hoppar över lunchen, men jag sitter gärna med.

    I'm skipping lunch, but I'm happy to sit with you.

    Tip: Skip = jump over. Sit along = keep someone company.

  17. 17

    Du behöver inte låta bli att äta framför mig.

    You don't have to avoid eating in front of me.

    Tip: Avoid doing = let be to do.

  18. 18

    Vad snällt att du frågar.

    It's kind of you to ask.

    Tip: Literally 'how kind that you ask'.

  19. 19

    Mina kollegor har varit väldigt förstående.

    My colleagues have been very understanding.

    Tip: Understanding = a present participle used as an adjective.

  20. 20

    Det finns ett tyst rum på jobbet där man kan be.

    There's a quiet room at work where you can pray.

    Tip: Pray = a short verb, also used for 'ask for'.

  21. 21

    Man lär sig tålamod när man fastar.

    You learn patience when you fast.

    Tip: Learn = teach oneself.

  22. 22

    Det handlar inte bara om mat, utan också om eftertanke.

    It's not just about food, but also about reflection.

    Tip: Not only ... but also = not just ... without also.

  23. 23

    Många ger pengar till välgörenhet under fastan.

    Many people give money to charity during the fast.

    Tip: Charity = well-doing.

  24. 24

    Att bryta fastan tillsammans är dagens bästa stund.

    Breaking the fast together is the best moment of the day.

    Tip: The day's best moment = genitive -s.

  25. 25

    Det första jag äter är något sött.

    The first thing I eat is something sweet.

    Tip: Something + neuter adjective with -t.

  26. 26

    Man ska inte äta för mycket på en gång.

    You shouldn't eat too much at once.

    Tip: At once = on one time.

  27. 27

    Vi brukar bjuda in vänner och grannar.

    We usually invite friends and neighbours.

    Tip: Invite in = invite over.

  28. 28

    Alla är välkomna, oavsett om de fastar eller inte.

    Everyone is welcome, whether they fast or not.

    Tip: Regardless if = whether or not.

  29. 29

    När månaden är slut firar vi med familjen.

    When the month is over, we celebrate with family.

    Tip: Over = finished. Verb second after the when-clause.

  30. 30

    Hur går det, orkar du?

    How's it going, are you managing?

    Tip: The second verb means 'have the energy/strength for it'.