Ways to say it
| Swedish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| kanelbulle | /kaˈneːlˌbɵlːɛ/ | common gender |
| kanelsnäcka | /kaˈneːlˌsnɛkːa/ | common gender |
| örfil | [œ́ːrfíːl] (narrow) | Finland, common gender |
The term refers to a rolled pastry flavored with cinnamon. You can use kanelbulle to order at a bakery or café, for example by saying En kanelbulle, tack (One cinnamon roll, please) or to express a craving by saying Jag är sugen på en kanelbulle (I am craving a cinnamon roll).
What does it mean word for word?
The word kanelbulle is a compound of kanel, meaning cinnamon and bulle, meaning bun.
Which one should you use?
While kanelbulle refers to a traditional round bun, kanelsnäcka is used for a cinnamon roll that is shaped in a spiral or snail-like pattern.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Swedish-speaking Finland, the word örfil is used colloquially to refer to a cinnamon roll, although it literally means 'a slap in the face'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of kanelbulle is kanelbullar, and the definite genitive form is kanelbullens (the cinnamon bun's).
How do you pronounce it?
/kaˈneːlˌbɵlːɛ/
Did you know?
- Sweden has a designated national day for eating these pastries called Kanelbullens dag, which takes place every 4 October.
- In Swedish-speaking Finland, a cinnamon roll can be called an örfil, which literally translates to 'a slap in the face'.
- Eating kanelbullar is a central part of fika, a social institution in Sweden that describes a dedicated break for coffee and snacks.
Examples in context
- Jag älskar kanelbullar!I love cinnamon rolls!
- Absolut! Jag köper kanelbullar från bageriet.Absolutely! I'll buy cinnamon rolls from the bakery.
- Nej, jag är sugen på en kanelbulle. Vill du ha en också?No, I'm craving a cinnamon roll. Do you want one too?
- Jag vill ha en kanelbulle.I want a cinnamon roll.
- Vi köpte en färsk kanelbulle.We bought a fresh cinnamon roll.
Example conversation
At a local bakery in the morning.
- LucasHejsan, jag vill gärna ha en kanelbulle.Hello, I would like a cinnamon roll.
- AliceSjälvklart, vill du ha en kaffe till?Of course, do you want a coffee with that?
- LucasJa tack, det låter jättebra.Yes please, that sounds great.
- AliceDet blir sextio kronor totalt.That will be sixty kronor in total.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cinnamon roll” translations and entries kanelbulle, kanelsnäcka, örfil, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
