dra åt helvete
/drɑː oːt ˈhɛlˌvɛtɛ/word by word
The English phrase "go to hell" is translated into Swedish as dra åt helvete.
The phrase can be used both as a direct command to someone to leave and as a general expression of anger or dismissal.
Meaning: interjection (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, dra åt helvete means "pull towards hell".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
This is a vulgar and offensive expression in Swedish.
How does it change in a sentence?
Using the definite form helvetet instead of helvete is also common and carries the same meaning.
How do you pronounce it?
/drɑː oːt ˈhɛlˌvɛtɛ/
Did you know?
- The word for 'hell' in this phrase is named after Hel, the Norse personification of death and goddess of the underworld.
Examples in context
- Dra åt helvete!Go to hell!This example shows the phrase used as a direct command.Tatoeba #8791013 by morbrorper, translation #607840 by Eldad
- Han kan dra åt helveteHe can fuck off / go to hellThis example shows the phrase being used to express that someone can go to hell.
- Dra åt helvete.Go to hell.Tatoeba #5664176 by Barra, translation #6099231 by mailohilohi
Example conversation
Maja and Erik are having a very heated argument.
- MajaJag är trött på dina lögner!I am tired of your lies!
- ErikDet är inte mina fel.It is not my fault.
- MajaDra åt helvete, Erik!Go to hell, Erik!
- ErikGör det själv!Do it yourself!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry dra åt helvete, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (dra, åt, helvete) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dra, dra åt helvete, helvete, åt, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
