dum
/ˈdɵmː/
The Swedish word for stupid is dum.
The word dum is used to describe someone or something lacking in intelligence. Depending on the context, it can also mean 'foolish' or 'silly', often carrying a less harsh tone than the English word 'stupid' implies.
Meaning: lacking in intelligence (adj)
Which one should you use?
If you want to refer to a stupid person, you can use nouns like dumhuvud, dumskalle or knäppgök.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective dum changes form depending on the noun it describes. Use dumma when the adjective is in the plural or in the definite form. Use dumt when describing a neuter noun (an ett-word).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈdɵmː/
When do people say it?
The phrase dum i huvudet is used in a comical manner between friends.
Did you know?
- The Swedish word dum shares the same Proto-Indo-European root as the English word 'deep', though the meanings have diverged completely.
- If you call someone a knäppgök, you are literally calling them a 'crazy cuckoo'.
- The term dumskalle literally translates to 'stupid skull'. It is a more pointed way of describing someone's lack of intelligence by referencing the physical container of the brain.
Examples in context
- Är du så dum?Are you that stupid?This is useful for asking if someone is being stupid using dum.Tatoeba #4317386 by richke, translation #3730349 by CM
- Du ser dum ut.You look stupid.This is useful for saying someone looks stupid using dum.Tatoeba #1960764 by herrsilen, translation #1644 by CK
- Ser jag dum ut?Do I look stupid?This is useful for asking if one looks stupid using dum.Tatoeba #4326359 by richke, translation #2711993 by CK
- Min lärare är så dumMy teacher is so stupid
- Jag gjorde ett dumt misstagI made a stupid mistake
- Han är verkligen korkadHe is really stupid
- Vad har du gjort nu då, du är ju dum i huvudetWhat have you done now, you're so stupid
- 47 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maja and Erik are discussing a bad decision Erik made.
- MajaDet var ett dumt beslut, Erik.That was a stupid decision, Erik.
- ErikJag vet, jag kände mig så dum.I know, I felt so stupid.
- MajaVarför gjorde du så?Why did you do that?
- ErikJag vet inte, det var bara dumt.I don't know, it was just stupid.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stupid” translations and entries dum, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dum, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
