min kära vän
/miːn ˈɕɛːˌra vɛːn/word by word
The English phrase "my dear friend" is translated into Swedish as min kära vän.
min kära vän is a warm and affectionate way to address or refer to a close friend.
How do you pronounce it?
/miːn ˈɕɛːˌra vɛːn/
Did you know?
- The word vän shares the same ancient root as the English word 'win', as both stem from a Proto-Indo-European concept of 'seeking' or 'desiring' someone's affection.
- While min kära vän sounds very poetic, using it in a casual setting like a pub might make Swedes think you are being ironic or jokingly dramatic.
- Swedish has a distinct difference between a 'friend' (vän) and an 'acquaintance' (bekant). Using vän implies a deep emotional bond that English speakers often apply more broadly.
Examples in context
- Kom hit, min kära vän!Come here, my dear friend!
- Grattis på födelsedagen, min käre vän!Happy birthday, my dear friend!
- Du är min kära vän.You are my dear friend.
- Tack för allt, min kära vän.Thanks for everything, my dear friend.
- Välkommen hem, min kära vän.Welcome home, my dear friend.
Example conversation
Karl and Maja are meeting for coffee after a long time.
- KarlHej Maja, min kära vän! Hur är det?Hello Maja, my dear friend! How are you?
- MajaJag mår bra, Karl. Kul att se dig!I am doing well, Karl. Great to see you!
- KarlDet var alldeles för länge sedan.It has been far too long.
- MajaJa, vi måste ses oftare nu.Yes, we must see each other more often now.
