jävlar (yev-lar)
What does jävlar (yev-lar) mean? jävlar (yev-lar) is a Swedish strong that translates to “damn it / holy shit” in English.
Literal Translation
devils
Meaning & Usage
"damn it / holy shit"
Plural of devil (djävul). Used as a strong exclamation or an intensifier.
Examples in the Wild
Jävlar vad kallt! (Damn / devils how cold!)
When to Use It
Context
- Informal settings where profanity is accepted
- Expressing strong frustration or emphasis
- As a spontaneous exclamation
Avoid
- Professional or formal settings
- Around elders or authority figures
- Around religious or conservative communities
- Job interviews, meetings, or customer-facing situations
Cultural Context
An essential building block of Swedish swearing. Saying 'Jävlar!' implies surprise or pain.
More in Swedish 🇸🇪
View all →guzz (gooz)
“chick / ho / girl”
Modern Ortenspråk slang for a girl.
rövhål (ruv-hole)
“asshole”
The anus. Used to call someone a terrible person.
järnspikar (yairn-spee-kar)
“goodness gracious / holy smokes”
An extremely old euphemism/minced oath.
qahpa (قەحپە) (kah-ba)
“whore / slut”
Arabic/Kurdish word for prostitute, imported into modern Swedish street slang (Ortenspråk).
skit (sheet)
“shit”
Feces. Note the 'sk' is pronounced similar to 'sh' in English.
jävla (yev-la)
“fucking / damn”
The adjectival form of 'jävel/djävul'.
helvete (hell-veh-teh)
“hell / fuck”
Hell. Used as a strong exclamation of anger.
hora (hoo-ra)
“whore”
Prostitute. A very severe slur.