Q Har ni något mot huvudvärk? — Do you have anything for a headache?
- A Ipren eller Alvedon? — Ibuprofen or paracetamol?
Ipren and Alvedon are the brand names Swedes actually say, the way Britons say Nurofen.
The morning after & the pharmacy (Sweden)
Q → A → what they'll probably say
Short answerIn Stockholm, say Har ni något mot huvudvärk? — Do you have anything for a headache?
At the apotek
Q Vad har du för besvär? — What's troubling you?
- A Jag mår illa. — I feel sick.
- A Jag har ont i magen. — I've got stomach ache.
They'll say Det här hjälper. — This will help.
Q Behöver jag recept? — Do I need a prescription?
- A Nej, det är receptfritt. — No, it's over the counter.
Q Har ni vätskeersättning? — Do you have rehydration salts?
- A Ja, i pulverform. — Yes, as a powder.
Q Hur ofta ska jag ta det? — How often should I take it?
- A Högst tre gånger om dagen. — Three times a day at most.
Q Var finns närmaste apotek? — Where's the nearest pharmacy?
- A Vid tunnelbanan. — By the metro.
Q Tar du några andra mediciner? — Are you on any other medication?
- A Nej, inga alls. — No, none at all.
They'll say Då går det bra. — Then this is fine.
Q Jag har bränt mig i solen. — I've got sunburn.
- A Prova den här salvan. — Try this cream.
Hangover vocabulary
- bakisHungover — the everyday word.
- bakfylla / baksmällaThe hangover itself.
- fylleångestThe specific dread about what you said last night. Sweden names it; almost nobody else does.
- dagen efterThe day after — used on its own as a noun.
- återställareHair of the dog — literally "a restorer".
- betongkepsA crushing hangover — literally a "concrete cap".
- ont i håretRough as anything — literally "hair ache".
- Aldrig mer.Never again. Said monthly, meant every time.