The word trøje is not always a sweater, in Swedish and Danish

Short answer: The word trøje is used broadly, and Swedes say tröja for several kinds of tops. A bambu tröja can be a T-shirt, a long sleeve top or a sweater, so it helps to know what you are really looking for.

A word with several meanings

In Danish, trøje covers many things, from a T-shirt in everyday speech to a knitted sweater. Swedish is even more flexible. There, tröja can mean a long sleeve top, a hooded sweatshirt or something else entirely, depending on who is speaking. That is why searches for a single word are easily imprecise.

What Swedes mean by tröja

When a Swedish reader types bambu tröja into a search, it is not always clear whether he wants a long sleeve top, a light sweater or a short sleeve top. Often it means a top you pull over your head. A short sleeve model is usually called tshirt in Swedish, and you will find it among the bamboo T-shirts for men.

Danish words for the same top

Danes say T-shirt, trøje, bluse, sweater and overdel, sometimes about the same piece. A T-shirt has short sleeves, a trøje usually has long sleeves, and a bluse is something else. The rule is not strict, so it is a good idea to look at the picture and the description instead of only the word.

How to read a description properly

When you shop across languages, read the details on sleeve length, neckline and fabric. Those three things decide what the top actually is. A word can sound familiar and still mean something different in the neighbouring country, so do not let the name alone decide what goes in your basket.

Socks and underwear have the same word problem

Words cause trouble elsewhere in the wardrobe too. Socks are called strumpor in Swedish, and kalsonger is the Swedish word for underpants. If you are looking for something for your feet, take a look at the socks for men, which you can find in both Danish and Swedish.

Fit matters whatever the word

Whether the top is called trøje, tröja or T-shirt, the fit is what matters. Check the shoulder, chest, length and sleeves, and try it in different situations. A good garment fits well whatever you call it, and that feeling is what you should use in the end to choose.

Washing and care stay the same

Washing and care follow the fabric and not the word. A top in bamboo viscose should be treated gently, washed according to the label and preferably air dried. That goes for the T-shirt, the long sleeve top and the underwear, which you can find as bamboo boxer briefs in the same soft fabric.

One simple piece of advice about words and clothes

If you are unsure about a word, look at the picture, measure yourself and read the description. It takes a few minutes and saves you a purchase that does not fit. Remember too that search words and shop words are not always the same, so stay curious instead of certain.

Frequently asked questions

Are a trøje and a T-shirt the same thing?

No, not always. A T-shirt has short sleeves, while a trøje in Danish often has long sleeves. In everyday speech the words are mixed, so read the details on sleeve length.

What is a T-shirt called in Swedish?

Swedes use both tshirt and t-shirt, and some just say tröja. Which word is meant depends on the context and on who is speaking.

How do I find a top that fits?

Measure yourself and compare with the size guide, read about fabric and sleeve length, and try the garment at home. That is more reliable than going by the word alone.