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A bizarre noise made by locals in Sweden is baffling tourists trying to grasp the bare bones of the language.

Aussie Oliver Gee moved over to Sweden four years ago and revealed this was one of the hardest things to grasp about the place.

For those in the south of the country, the word 'ja' means 'yes' - but when you go up north it evolves into a sound that simply doesn't exist in most countries.

(Image: WireImage)

Armed with a camera, the journalist, who works for Swedish edition of European news site The Local, took to the streets in Umea to broadcast the noise to the world.

Instead of making an audible sound through their vocal chords, locals sharply inhale their breath.

As one Swede put it: "It's like if you have a mint in your mouth."

Another added: "It's just an easy way to say it, you don't have to open your mouth and say 'ja'."

Oliver told how when he first came to the country, he thought the noise meant people were shocked or impressed by what he was saying.

Despite living in the country for four years, he still never managed to grasp how to say 'yes'.

In response to the video, one Swede wrote: "I have never in my life heard a foreigner pronounce a Swedish word perfectly.

"Don't blame yourself. It has to do with muscles in the mouth area and their development during childhood.

"Americans in particular, since they also lack melody (Swedish is much more melodic). Your muscles are just not comfortable with making the Swedish sounds."

And if you think that's odd - then wait until you see how the country does sex education.