If you ask any Swedish learner what the hardest part of Swedish pronunciation is, they’ll almost always say the same thing.

The sj sound.

In Swedish grammar books, this is called sje-ljudet.

It’s famous because it’s used in the word for “seven” (sju) and the word for “nurse” (sjuksköterska). That second word is a nightmare for beginners because it has two sj sounds in it.

Many people give up and just make a “sh” sound like in the English word “shoe”.

While this works in some parts of Sweden, it isn’t quite right for “Standard Swedish.”

Pronouncing the sj sound is actually much easier than you think. You just need to know where to put your tongue.

Also, there isn’t just one way to say it.

There are two main ways, and I’m going to explain them both so you can choose the one that is easiest for you.

The two types of sj sounds

Before you start practicing, you need to know that Swedes pronounce this sound differently depending on where they live.

If you listen to someone from Stockholm and someone from the North of Sweden, the word sju (seven) will sound completely different.

The two main variations are:

1. The Back Sound (Dark): This sounds a bit like wind blowing, or a very breathy “wh”. This is common in Central and Southern Sweden.
2. The Front Sound (Light): This sounds very close to the English “sh” in “shoe”. This is common in Northern Sweden and Finland.

Neither one is “wrong.” They are just different dialects. However, the Back Sound is the one you will hear most often in media, TV, and basic language courses.

Variation 1: The “Back” Sound (The Dark Sound)

This is the sound that usually confuses English speakers because it doesn’t really exist in English.

Linguists call this a “velar” sound because it happens in the back of your mouth, near the soft part of the roof of your mouth (the velum).

How to make the sound:

1. Round your lips into a tight circle, like you are going to whistle or blow out a candle.
2. Pull your tongue backward into your mouth. Do not let the tip of your tongue touch your teeth or the roof of your mouth.
3. Blow air through your mouth.

It should sound like a heavy sigh or a wheezing sound. A good trick is to try to say the English word “who”, but make the “wh” sound much harder and with more friction.

Let’s look at some examples using this sound.

If you are struggling, imagine you are imitating the sound of the wind blowing through trees: hwuuhhh.

Variation 2: The “Front” Sound (The Light Sound)

This version is much easier for English speakers. In fact, if you find the “Back Sound” too difficult, I recommend you start with this one. People will still understand you perfectly.

This sound is very similar to the “sh” in the English word “sheep,” but with your lips pushed out a little more (pouted lips).

Swedes from Norrland (the North) use this sound almost exclusively.

However, even Swedes who use the “Back Sound” will use this “Front Sound” in specific situations.

When to always use the “Front” sound:

You should always use this lighter “sh” sound when the letters r and s are combined.

In these words, the rs creates that sharp, front “sh” sound, no matter where in Sweden you are from.

The different spellings of the sj sound

One of the most confusing things about Swedish is that one sound can be spelled in many different ways.

The sj sound is not just written as sj. It has many disguises!

Here is a table of the most common spellings for this single sound.

*The “Soft Vowel” Rule

You might have noticed the sk spelling in the table above.

Usually, sk is pronounced just like in English (like “skin”). But, if sk is followed by a soft vowel (e, i, y, ä, ö), it turns into the sj sound.

• Sko (Shoe) -> Hard “sk” sound (because ‘o’ is a hard vowel).
• Sked (Spoon) -> Sj sound (because ‘e’ is a soft vowel).
• Skina (Ham) -> Sj sound (because ‘i’ is a soft vowel).

Regional variations

As I mentioned earlier, where you live in Sweden determines how you pronounce this sound.

Central Sweden (Stockholm, Mälardalen):

Here, the “Back Sound” (the dark, windy one) is the standard for words starting with sj, sk, etc. They only use the “Front Sound” for words with rs.

Northern Sweden (Norrland):

Here, the “Front Sound” (like English “sh”) is dominant. If you say sju (seven) in Kiruna or Umeå, it sounds very crisp and sharp, almost like “shoe”.

Southern Sweden (Skåne):

In the far south, the pronunciation can be unique. Sometimes it sounds like the Back Sound, but often it is pronounced further forward in the mouth, yet distinct from the English “sh”. It can sometimes sound like a very soft “ch”.

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The Swedish sj sound is tricky, but you have options.

If you want to sound like a native from Stockholm, practice rounding your lips and blowing air from the back of your throat.

If that feels impossible right now, stick to the “Front Sound” (like the English “sh”). It is a valid Swedish dialect, and everyone will understand you.