Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Swedish grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Kan jag få ett kvitto, tack?
Why does the sentence start with Kan?
Swedish yes/no questions put the finite verb first. The structure here is: Kan (auxiliary) + jag (subject) + få (main verb) + ett kvitto (object) + tack (politeness).
Could I say Får jag ett kvitto? instead?
Yes. Får jag …? (may I …?) and Kan jag få …? (can I get …?) are both natural. Får jag …? can feel a touch more direct/brief, while Kan jag få …? is extremely common and neutral. A softer, extra-polite option is Skulle jag kunna få ett kvitto?
Why is it få and not ha?
Få means “get/receive,” which is what you do when you request something. Ha means “have/possess.” In requests, Swedish uses få: Kan jag få ett kvitto? not Kan jag ha ett kvitto?
Why ett and not en?
Because kvitto is a neuter noun (ett‑word). Neuter nouns take the article ett in the singular indefinite: ett kvitto.
What are the other forms of kvitto?
- Singular indefinite: ett kvitto
- Singular definite: kvittot
- Plural indefinite: kvitton
- Plural definite: kvittona
Can I use kvittot instead of ett kvitto?
Yes. Kvittot means “the receipt” (a specific one, usually the one for this purchase). In a shop both Kan jag få ett kvitto …? and Kan jag få kvittot …? are common; the latter presumes a specific receipt is understood.
Is the comma before tack required?
No. It’s optional. You’ll see:
- Kan jag få ett kvitto, tack?
- Kan jag få ett kvitto tack?
- Kan jag få ett kvitto? Tack. All are acceptable; the comma simply sets off tack as a parenthetical politeness marker.
Is tack really the same as “please”?
Functionally, yes in this position. Tack literally means “thanks,” but adding it to a request is the standard way to make it polite. Snälla is more like “pretty please”/a plea, and Var snäll och … is formal or instructional. For everyday transactions, tack is best.
How do I pronounce the key words?
- jag: often pronounced like “yah” (the g is usually silent in standard speech).
- få: long rounded vowel, like a long “oh.”
- kvitto: stress on the first syllable; short “i” (as in “bit”); the double tt is a long/strong t; final o is short (like the vowel in “put”).
- tack: short “a” and a strong k sound.
What intonation should I use?
Use a gentle rising intonation typical for yes/no questions. If you include tack at the end, the pitch usually falls slightly on tack, keeping the tone polite.
Is this polite enough in all contexts?
Yes. Kan jag få …, tack? is polite and natural everywhere. To soften further, use:
- Skulle jag kunna få ett kvitto?
- Ursäkta, skulle jag kunna få ett kvitto?
Can I omit the article and say Kan jag få kvitto?
Generally no in everyday speech. You normally need ett because you’re asking for one countable item: Kan jag få ett kvitto? Article-less kvitto appears in set phrases or signs, not in this kind of request.
What about Kan du ge mig ett kvitto?
It’s understandable (“Can you give me a receipt?”) but more pointed at the person. Kan jag få …? sounds more neutral and service‑oriented in shops. Both are acceptable, but Kan jag få …? is the default.
Should I use Ni (polite “you”) with staff?
No. Modern Swedish normally uses du to address individuals, even in service situations. Ni is for plural “you” or specific formal contexts; using it to be polite can sound old‑fashioned or awkward.
What might the cashier say, and how do I reply?
They might ask Vill du ha kvitto? Reply Ja, tack (yes, please) or Nej, tack (no, thanks). After receiving it, saying Tack or Tack så mycket is perfect.
Where does inte go if I want to say “Can’t I get a receipt?”
Place inte after the subject: Kan jag inte få ett kvitto?