Lingolib
Start free

At the library (På biblioteket)

Public libraries are free and one of the best places to practise Swedish. You need a library card to borrow, and staff are used to newcomers.

Level A1
  1. You

    Hej, jag skulle vilja skaffa ett lånekort.

    Hi, I'd like to get a library card.

    "Skaffa" = get, obtain. Very common verb.

  2. Staff

    Javisst. Har du legitimation med dig?

    Sure. Do you have ID with you?

  3. You

    Ja, här.

    Yes, here.

  4. Staff

    Bra. Välj en pinkod med fyra siffror.

    Good. Choose a four-digit PIN.

  5. Staff

    Så, nu är det klart. Du kan låna direkt.

    There, it's done. You can borrow right away.

  6. You

    Har ni lättlästa böcker på svenska?

    Do you have easy-to-read books in Swedish?

    "Lättläst" = easy-to-read. Libraries have whole shelves of it.

  7. Staff

    Ja, de står där borta vid fönstret. Det finns ljudböcker också.

    Yes, they're over there by the window. There are audiobooks too.

  8. You

    Hur länge får jag låna dem?

    How long can I borrow them for?

  9. Staff

    Fyra veckor. Sen kan du låna om dem i appen om ingen har reserverat.

    Four weeks. Then you can renew them in the app if nobody has reserved them.

    "Låna om" = renew a loan.

  10. You

    Var lämnar jag tillbaka dem?

    Where do I return them?

  11. Staff

    I automaten vid ingången. Den ger dig ett kvitto.

    In the machine by the entrance. It gives you a receipt.

  12. You

    Tack för hjälpen!

    Thanks for the help!

What you can say

Say each one out loud, then play it to compare.

  • Jag vill låna om mina böcker.
    I want to renew my books.
  • Har ni böcker på arabiska?
    Do you have books in Arabic?
  • Kan jag låna en dator?
    Can I borrow a computer?
  • Var finns barnböckerna?
    Where are the children's books?
  • Jag har glömt min pinkod.
    I've forgotten my PIN.
  • Kan jag skriva ut något här?
    Can I print something here?
  • Finns det läxhjälp?
    Is there homework help?

You might also hear

  • Du har en bok som är försenad.
    You have an overdue book.
  • Boken är utlånad, vill du reservera den?
    The book is out on loan, do you want to reserve it?
  • Din reservation har kommit, den står på hyllan med ditt nummer.
    Your reservation has arrived, it's on the shelf with your number.
  • Det är läxhjälp här på torsdagar.
    There's homework help here on Thursdays.
  • Låna i automaten där.
    Borrow at the machine over there.
  • Tyst avdelning, tack.
    Quiet section, please.

Good to know

  • Borrowing is free. Late fees and loan times vary by municipality, and many libraries have dropped fees for children.
  • Many libraries run homework help, and they lend e-books and audiobooks through an app.
  • Your library card often works in the whole municipality's libraries, not just one branch.