"Göte-what?! ;)" Göteborg by polardabar

Göteborg Travel Guide: 941 reviews and 1,854 photos

Now practice: Göteborgs Universitet! ;) - Göteborg

The first thing you wonder about Göteborg is not what it looks like, whether people are nice or if there are any good bars. You wonder how the h*ck you pronounce that! Well, since I speak Swedish, I'll do my best to explain how to pronounce it right, if I even got it right, that is...

The first rule is that /g/ in front of /e/, /i/, /y/, /?/ & /?/ is pronounced as [j] [as in York]. The same change occurs if /g/ comes after /r/ or /l/. That would say that both g's in Göteborg should be pronounced as [j]. The closest thing to pronouncing /ö/ is [u] in urge. Next comes /t/, which is the usual [t] as in tick. The /e/ might be a bit of a problem, because Swedes make it sound closed, like [e] in Evan. /B/ is [b], but /o/ is a bit darker, like [o] in York. /R/ has different pronunciations around Sweden, but you should try saying it the G?teborg way. Try not making it sound too American as in car, but more palatal as in the Irish [r] in very. As I said, the final /g/ is also pronounced as [j] in York, but it does sound a bit like [i] as in pin. Try producing a sound somewhere in-between [j] & [i].

*Note: If a letter's written between two /'s, it means written & if between a [ & a ] it, means pronounced!

OK, now even I am lost now, so I'll let you practice it on your own. If some Swedes [especially from Göteborg] think I missed something out, let me know!

Walking, walking, walking around...

Anyway, Göteborg [in the end of the saga pronounced something like Yu-teh-bory] has a bit more continental look than Stockholm, but has its own charms. The first time I went there [Aug 2004] I only had a couple of hours till my connection to Oslo. I only had the chance to go around the center a bit, grab a beer [no way I would skip that on a sunny day! ;)] & catch the bus. But this time I stayed over at a friend's, so I had a couple of days' time to go around the city & get to know it a bit better...

Joel [the friend I was staying at] had an exam, so I was roaming the city the most of the day, bought some beers & picked him up at the Library. We'd usually go to a bar, talk a bit [in Swedish!] & then take off home, cook something & relax a bit to gather some strength for the upcoming tiring day. I wish he had more free time, but I had enough fun on my own...

An Australian Sausage Shop ;)

The city was founded in the 17th century & became an important Swedish port. It has one of the biggest universities in Sweden & a very rich cultural offer. It has an archipelago, so if you're there during the summer, take a boat & enjoy the nature! Take a stroll around the city, check out the city center, the famous Avenyn, the marina with the Opera & the so-called Lipstick...

There's a lot Croatian people living there, so it's not my favorite city, but this time I saw there's so much to it than I first thought. I hope this page affects you the same way... ;)

Last visit to Göteborg: Nov 2005
Intro Updated Nov 22, 2005
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Reviews (5)

Eastern food the Swedish way Restaurants (1)

There is a great place we went to eat called Zoégas kaffe [at least I think so] located in Andra Långgatan 2-10 near... more travel advice

Welcome to the Vegetable Square! ;) - Göteborg

Public Transportation System Transportation (3)

Göteborg has a really good public transportation system, consisting of buses & trams. If you're in the city for a couple... more travel advice

Taking a bus Transportation (3)

Swebus Express has regular lines from Nils Ericson Terminal to Oslo, Malm?, Stockholm, K?benhavn aso. A one-way bus... more travel advice

I even got to take a photo of my plane! ;) - Göteborg

Do you fly? Transportation (3)

Göteborg Landvetter Airport is situated 25 km east of the city & the ride to Central Station / Nils Ericson Terminal... more travel advice

Things to Do (1)
Fun Park

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Comments (4)

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Marpessa Nov 26, 2005 at 8:51 AM

:D I remember when first seeing the name Göteborg pronouncing it 'Goat-borgh'. LOL - but after a little practice I can now pronounce it correctly :D Great language tip though!
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Henrik_rrb Nov 22, 2005 at 5:20 PM

Tjenare! Bra start på din Göteborg-sida! Hoppas allt är bra med dig! /Henke
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willy_wonka Nov 22, 2005 at 3:47 PM

willllllllyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!! wonks ;-)
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diocletianvs Aug 22, 2004 at 6:27 AM

How do you pronounce that?! :) Very simple, Ladies and Yentlemen: Yeteboor' ;-))