kanelbulle
/kaˈneːlˌbɵlːɛ/
The English phrase "cinnamon bun" is translated into Swedish as kanelbulle.
A kanelbulle refers to a sweet roll flavored with cinnamon, which is often topped with pearl sugar.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound noun consisting of kanel (cinnamon) and bulle (bun).
How does it change in a sentence?
kanelbulle is a common gender noun (en kanelbulle). The plural form is kanelbullar, while the definite genitive form, meaning "the cinnamon bun's", is kanelbullens.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaˈneːlˌbɵlːɛ/
When do people say it?
The kanelbulle is a staple of the Swedish fika tradition.
Did you know?
- While 'bulle' means 'bun', it is also used colloquially in Swedish to refer to a person's buttocks.
- Sweden has an official 'Cinnamon Bun Day' celebrated every October 4th, where kanelbullar are eaten across the country to mark the occasion.
- Despite the English translation, a traditional kanelbulle is often twisted into a knot rather than rolled into a spiral, a shape that distinguishes it from the American cinnamon roll.
Examples in context
- Jag vill ha en kanelbulle.I want a cinnamon bun.
- Vi köpte en kanelbulle till fikat.We bought a cinnamon bun for the coffee break.
Example conversation
Emma and Erik are at a small bakery.
- EmmaSka vi köpa en kanelbulle?Should we buy a cinnamon bun?
- ErikJa, de ser jättegoda ut.Yes, they look delicious.
- EmmaJag tar en kanelbulle till mig.I will take a cinnamon bun for myself.
- ErikBra, då köper jag också en.Good, then I will buy one too.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry kanelbulle, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
