herregud
The Swedish phrase for "oh my God" is herregud. Wiktionary also lists herre gud and å, herre gud.
Meaning: excitement or shock (intj)
Ways to say it
| Swedish | IPA |
|---|---|
| herregud | |
| herre gud | /²hɛrːɛ ɡʉːd/ (word by word) |
| å, herre gud | /oː ²hɛrːɛ ɡʉːd/ (word by word) |
| Herre Gud | /²hɛrːɛ ɡʉːd/ (word by word) |
The phrase is used to express excitement, shock, surprise or frustration, functioning much like the English "oh my God".
What does it mean word for word?
The term is a combination of herre, meaning "lord" and gud, meaning "god".
Which one should you use?
While herregud is the standard, most common way to form this exclamation, the split form herre gud is more literal and is less common as a spontaneous interjection. You may also see the form å, herre gud or the capitalized Herre Gud.
How does it change in a sentence?
The most common way to express this sentiment is to use the single compound word herregud.
Did you know?
- The term herre originally meant 'grey-haired' or 'old' in Proto-Germanic. Over time the meaning shifted to describe someone who was noble or venerable.
- While herregud is a religious phrase, it is frequently used by non-religious Swedes as a secular filler word for frustration.
- While the English 'oh my god' is often used as a spontaneous outburst, writing Herre Gud with capital letters makes it feel more like a formal prayer or a direct address to a deity.
Examples in context
- Herregud, jag tror inte det är sant.Oh my God, I can't believe this.This sentence uses herregud to express disbelief.Tatoeba #892557 by Tximist, translation #65315 by TomSFox
- Åh herregud!Oh my God!This sentence uses herregud to show excitement or shock.Tatoeba #2145221 by freddy1, translation #3756562 by Lindoula
- Herregud, vad fantastiskt!Oh my god, how fantastic!
- Kära nån, vad har du gjort!Oh my goodness, what have you done!
- Oj då, det hade jag inte förväntat mig!Oh my, I didn't expect that!
- Jisses, vad duktig du är!Oh my, how talented you are!
- Jösses amalia, vad häftigt!Oh my god, how cool!
- Herregud, vilken fantastisk överraskning!Oh my god, what a fantastic surprise!
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Oscar and Linnea are looking at a surprise cake.
- OscarHerregud, titta på den tårtan!Oh my god, look at that cake!
- LinneaDen är ju helt fantastisk.It is absolutely fantastic.
- OscarVem har bakat den?Who baked it?
- LinneaDet var min mamma som gjorde den.It was my mother who made it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “oh my God” translations and entries herregud, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (herre, gud, å, Gud) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Herre, gud, herre, herregud, å, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
