Learn Hardcore Swedish: Kaffet kostar trettio kronor här. - The coffee costs thirty kronor here.

Swedish marks definiteness with an ending. kaffe is the base (indefinite) form of the neuter noun “coffee” (as a substance), and kaffet means “the coffee.” In this sentence, kaffet refers to the specific coffee being sold/served at this place (the product on offer), which is a very natural use of the definite form in Swedish.

Is kaffe an en-word or an ett-word? Can I say en kaffe?

Grammatically it’s an ett-word: ett kaffe. However, in cafés people commonly say en kaffe as shorthand for en kopp kaffe (a cup of coffee). That colloquial usage is widespread in speech, even though the noun itself is neuter.

Could I just say Kaffe kostar trettio kronor här? Does that sound natural?

Yes. Kaffe kostar trettio kronor här sounds like a generic statement about coffee as a product at this place (e.g., on a price list). Kaffet kostar … highlights the specific coffee they serve here. Both are acceptable; the nuance is small.

Why use kostar and not är? Can I say Kaffet är trettio kronor här?

Standard Swedish uses kosta to talk about price: Kaffet kostar trettio kronor is the preferred form. You will hear Kaffet är trettio kronor in casual speech (especially in shops), but it’s less formal. If you want to be precise and standard, stick with kostar.

What are the principal forms of kosta?

Infinitive: kosta
Present: kostar (Kaffet kostar …)
Past (preterite): kostade (Kaffet kostade … i går)
Supine: kostat (Det har kostat …)
Imperative: kosta (rarely used in this sense)

Why is här at the end? Can I put it first?

Swedish main clauses obey the V2 rule (the finite verb is in second position). With the subject first, you get: Kaffet (subject) kostar (verb) … här (place adverbial at the end). If you front the place for emphasis, you must invert subject and verb: Här kostar kaffet trettio kronor. Both are natural.

How do I negate this sentence? Where does inte go?

Put inte after the finite verb in main clauses:

Kaffet kostar inte trettio kronor här. If you front här, keep V2:
Här kostar kaffet inte trettio kronor.

What’s the difference between här and hit (and där/dit)?

här = here (location, static)
hit = to here (direction, movement)
där = there (location)
dit = to there (direction) In this sentence you want location, so här is correct.

Why kronor and not krona or something else? What are the forms?

The currency is en krona (singular). Plural indefinite is kronor: trettio kronor. Definite plural is kronorna. Don’t use “kroner” (that’s Danish/Norwegian).

How do Swedes usually write prices?

With the currency abbreviation after the number: 30 kr
Decimal comma, not a dot: 30,50 kr
You may also see the old style 30:- in shop signs. Spoken forms include trettio kronor or just trettio when the context is clear.

How is each word pronounced approximately?

Kaffet: KAFF-et (short a as in “cat,” double f is a short, crisp consonant; final -et is unstressed “et”)
kostar: KAW-star (short o like British “cost”)
trettio: TRET-tee-oh or commonly TRET-tee (both are fine)
kronor: KROO-noor (long “oo” in the first syllable)
här: like “hair” but with a longer, clearer vowel; the ä is an “eh/air” sound

Is trettio sometimes pronounced or written tretti?

Yes. Pronouncing it tretti is very common. The spelling tretti is also accepted, though trettio is the more common spelling in writing.

Can I move här into the middle: Kaffet kostar här trettio kronor?

That word order is grammatical but sounds odd in everyday Swedish. Place adverbs like här are most natural either sentence-final (… kronor här) or sentence-initial with inversion (Här kostar …).

How would I ask “How much does the coffee cost here?”

Vad kostar kaffet här? (most common)
Hur mycket kostar kaffet här? (also fine)

If I mean a specific cup of coffee, what forms can I use?

Ordering: En kaffe, tack (colloquial, meaning “a coffee/a cup of coffee”)
More explicit: En kopp kaffe, tack
Referring to a particular one: Den där kaffekoppen kostar trettio kronor or Det där kaffet kostar … (with context)

Does the verb change with plural subjects?

No. Present tense is the same for singular and plural. Compare:

Kaffet kostar trettio kronor.
Två kaffe kostar sextio kronor. / Två koppar kaffe kostar sextio kronor.

Can I use slang for kronor?

Yes, spänn is common in speech: Kaffet kostar trettio spänn här. Keep it to informal contexts.

How would I say “that coffee” or “this coffee” in Swedish?

Use demonstratives with the definite noun:

det här kaffet / det där kaffet = this coffee / that coffee For a cup: den här kaffekoppen / den där kaffekoppen.