The Scandinavian languages are very similar and we can usually understand each other pretty well just using our native tongues, though there are some funny traps and false friends. Norwegians are entertained that in Sweden we drink “bärs” (beer), because it sounds exactly like “baesj” (shit). And are astounded that we can “pula” with almost anything, as in “tinker/fiddle around” in Swedish and “fucking” in Norwegian. Oh yeah, a Norwegian ex gf found it hilarious that we have “rågkusar” (a type of rye bread) in the stores, as “kusa” in norwegian mean “cunt”. Also in Swedish a common slang word for shoes is “dojor/dojer”, which on the west coast of norway is very similar to “daejer” that means tits. So don’t go in a shoe store asking for a nice pair of “dojer” unless you know exactly what you are doing.

On a sidenote, I must give credit to the best Swedish word I know; “Skamsköljning”. Literally “shame-rinsing”. As in remembering something stupid you did and the feeling of shame washing over you. In Norwegian it is probably “pule-svejs”, fuck-haircut. The funny hair you have after a good banging.