gilla
To like something or someone in Swedish is gilla.
Gilla is used to express that you find someone or something pleasant or attractive. In a modern context, it is also the standard term used on social media for liking a post or a photo.
Which one should you use?
While gilla is used for liking things or people, it is distinct from the phrasal verb tycka om, which is a more common way to express liking someone or something.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb changes depending on the tense. The present tense is gillar, the past tense is gillade and the supine form used for perfect tenses is gillat.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use gilla as a preposition to mean 'similar to' (for example, when saying 'like a bird'). In those cases, you must use the preposition som instead.
Did you know?
- The verb gilla shares an ancient ancestor with the word 'guild' in English. Both words originally referred to the act of paying or giving, rather than expressing affection.
- Swedish speakers often avoid using gilla for food, preferring tycka om or smaka gott. Saying jag gillar den här maten can sound like you are evaluating the food's quality rather than enjoying its taste.
- Using gilla to describe a person can sometimes sound slightly superficial or casual, almost like saying you 'dig' them or find them 'cool' rather than expressing deep affection.
Examples in context
- Gillar du min ö?Do you like my island?This sentence is useful for asking if someone likes a specific object using gilla.Tatoeba #10706020 by Pineapple, translation #2792731 by Trog41
- Gillar din vän te?Does your friend like tea?This sentence is useful for asking about a person's preference using gilla.Tatoeba #11281996 by Pineapple, translation #1098246 by cntrational
- Tom gillar inte öl.Tom doesn't like beer.This sentence is useful for expressing a dislike using gilla.Tatoeba #5882489 by herrsilen, translation #5148101 by CK
- På vintern är det kallt som is.In winter, it is as cold as ice.
- Hon ser precis som sin mamma ut.She looks exactly like her mom.
- Jag ska göra det som du sa.I will do it as you said.
- Hon har en stil som är liknande min.She has a style that is similar to mine.
- Jag gillar fotboll, och på samma sätt gillar min bror det.I like soccer, and likewise, my brother likes it.
- 330 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alice and Karl are talking about a new movie.
- AliceGillar du den här filmen?Do you like this movie?
- KarlJa, jag gillar den verkligen.Yes, I really like it.
- AliceVad är bra med den?What is good about it?
- KarlJag gillar skådespelarna mycket.I like the actors a lot.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry gilla, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gilla, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
