Learn Hardcore Swedish: Ursäkta, kan ni visa mig kartan? - Excuse me, can you polite show me the map?

In everyday speech to a single stranger, Swedes usually use du. Ni can either mean you all (plural) or be used as a polite singular in some customer-service settings. If you’re speaking to one person and want to sound natural, say: Ursäkta, kan du visa mig kartan? If you’re addressing a group, ni is right.

Is capitalized Ni the polite singular, like German Sie?

No. Modern recommendations (e.g., Språkrådet) say to use lowercase ni even when used politely. Capital Ni is old-fashioned and mostly avoided outside special letter styles.

Could using ni to one person sound odd or rude?

It can. Historically, ni as a formal singular had mixed connotations and can feel distancing. Many Swedes prefer du to one person, even in polite contexts. Staff might say ni to customers, but as a learner, default to du for one person.

Why is kartan in the definite form?

Because you’re referring to a specific map (the one here/there). Swedish uses a suffixed definite article:

en karta = a map
kartan = the map

For most en-words ending in -a, the definite is formed with -n: karta → kartan.

Could I say en karta instead of kartan?

Yes, but it changes the meaning:

Kan du visa mig en karta? = Can you show me a map (any map)?
Kan du visa mig kartan? = Can you show me the map (a specific one we both have in mind).

Why is it visa mig kartan and not visa kartan för mig?

Both are correct:

visa mig kartan (double-object order; very common)
visa kartan för mig (with a preposition; a bit more explicit or if you want to stress the direct object)

Swedish often places the indirect object (mig) before the direct object (kartan).

Is mig pronounced like it’s written?

It’s commonly pronounced like English “may” with a y-glide: [“mey”]. In writing, standard is mig, but informal mej matches the pronunciation and is common in casual texts: Kan du visa mej kartan? (informal).

Could I drop kan and just say Visa mig kartan?

Yes, but Visa mig kartan is an imperative and sounds direct. To soften it, add tack or snälla:

Visa mig kartan, tack.
Var snäll och visa mig kartan.

Using a modal is politer:

Kan du/ni visa mig kartan?
Even softer: Skulle du/ni kunna visa mig kartan?

Is Kan ni… a yes/no question because of word order?

Exactly. In yes/no questions, Swedish puts the verb first:

Statement: Ni kan visa mig kartan.
Question: Kan ni visa mig kartan?

Don’t say Ni kan…? for a yes/no question.

Can I say Visar ni mig kartan? as a request?

That means “Are you showing me the map?” (present tense inquiry), not a polite request. For a request, use a modal:

Kan du/ni visa mig kartan?
Skulle du/ni kunna visa mig kartan?

What’s the difference between Ursäkta and Förlåt?

Ursäkta = Excuse me (to get attention or to lightly excuse yourself)
Förlåt = Sorry (to apologize) Here you’re getting someone’s attention, so Ursäkta fits. You could also say Hej to start more casually.

Do I need the comma after Ursäkta?

It’s standard and helpful. Interjections like Ursäkta, are usually followed by a comma when starting a sentence.

How do I pronounce the tricky clusters?

Ursäkta: the rs often becomes a retroflex “sh”-sound; think “ur-SHEK-ta.”
kartan: rt becomes a retroflex “t” (tongue curled slightly back), “KAR-tan” with a harder, single t.
ni and visa have long vowels: “nee,” “VEE-sa.”
mig is usually said “mey.”

If I want them to point at something on the map, how do I say that?

Use på (on):

Kan du visa mig på kartan var det ligger? = Can you show me on the map where it is?
Kan du visa på kartan? = Can you show (it) on the map?

Is there a more formal or extra-polite version?

Yes:

Skulle du/ni kunna visa mig kartan?
Skulle du/ni möjligen kunna visa mig kartan? Adding tack helps: Skulle du kunna visa mig kartan, tack?