smörgås
/ˈsmœrˌɡoːs/common gender
In Swedish, the word for sandwich is smörgås. Wiktionary also lists sandwich and dubbelmacka.
Meaning: dish (noun)
Ways to say it
| Swedish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| smörgås | /ˈsmœrˌɡoːs/ /ˈsmœrˌɡɔs/ |
common gender |
| sandwich | ||
| dubbelmacka | common gender | |
| macka | /²makːa/ | common gender |
The term is used to describe various types of sandwiches, including the traditional Swedish open-faced variety.
Which one should you use?
While smörgås is the traditional Swedish term, the loanword sandwich is frequently used in modern Swedish, often implying a more international style of sandwich (like a club sandwich or a deli sandwich) rather than a traditional open-faced one. A dubbelmacka specifically refers to a sandwich made with two slices of bread, whereas smörgås can refer to any sandwich or even an open-faced one.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Macka is a common, informal shortening of smörgås or dubbelmacka.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of smörgås is smörgåsar, while the plural form of the colloquial macka is mackor.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈsmœrˌɡoːs/
Did you know?
- The informal term macka may share a distant linguistic ancestor with the Hindi word for butter, 'makkhan'.
Examples in context
- Det är en smörgås här.There's a sandwich here.This sentence shows how to use smörgås to state that a sandwich is present.Tatoeba #1969902 by herrsilen, translation #880582 by CK
- Jag köpte en sandwich.I bought a sandwich.This sentence demonstrates the use of the loanword sandwich.Tatoeba #4347030 by richke, translation #3120531 by CM
- Tom erbjöd Mary en macka.Tom offered Mary a sandwich.This sentence illustrates the use of the colloquial macka.Tatoeba #10724821 by Pineapple, translation #7117609 by CM
- En macka med lax, tack.A sandwich with salmon, please.
- Jag äter en smörgåsmacka till lunch.I'm eating a sandwich for lunch.
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maja and Oscar are in the kitchen having lunch.
- MajaVill du ha en smörgås också?Do you want a sandwich too?
- OscarNej tack, jag är mätt.No thanks, I am full.
- MajaOkej, jag äter min smörgås nu.Okay, I am eating my sandwich now.
- OscarSmaklig måltid, Maja!Enjoy your meal, Maja!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sandwich” translations and entries smörgås, dubbelmacka, macka, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dubbelmacka, macka, smörgås, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
