Bara, Ju, Väl: Small Words Doing Heavy Lifting

Just, only

Tip: The single most common word Swedes add to soften a sentence

On the contrary

Tip: Tvärtom! = quite the opposite. One word for a whole clause

As you know (particle)

Tip: Det är ju sant = it's true, as we both know. Untranslatable alone

Surely, I assume (particle)

Tip: Du kommer väl? = you're coming, aren't you?

Probably

Tip: Det blir nog bra = it'll probably be fine. Also means 'enough'

Then, in that case

Tip: Also 'when' in the past. Vi ses då = see you then

Actually

Tip: Adds mild insistence

Anyway, still

Tip: Jag går ändå = I'm going anyway

By the way

Tip: Drops a new topic into a conversation

In any case

Tip: Often shortened to iallafall in writing

Already

Tip: Redan? = that soon?

Still, yet

Tip: Of something continuing

Of course, sure

Tip: Visst! as an answer = sure, go ahead

Rather, preferably

Tip: Jag går hellre = I'd rather walk

Instead

Tip: Written as two words in careful Swedish

Otherwise, or else

Tip: Also 'apart from that'

Because

Tip: Starts the clause: eftersom det regnar = because it's raining

Although

Tip: In speech fast beats the formal även om. Also means 'stuck'

Even, as much as

Tip: Often written t.o.m. Till och med han kom = even he showed up

Anyway, whatever

Tip: Literally 'how as ever'