YOU would think “ja” would be an easy enough way to say “yes”.

But in northern Sweden, citizens have simplified it even more.

Instead of a word, a quick intake of breath through pursed lips indicates the affirmative.

The bizarre practice can prove very confusing to outsiders.

The Local’s Oliver Gee, who visited the region to explore the strange tradition, said that when he first heard it, he thought people were simply impressed by him.

It also sounds a bit like they might be a bit shocked.

Ideally, locals say, the sound is accompanied by a casual shrug.

“It’s as if you have a mint in your mouth,” said a woman from the city of Umea.

“It’s an easy way to say it, you don’t have to open your mouth,” added another.

“What a delightfully quirky language you Swedes have,” said YouTube user Milton Dew.

“I’ll bet 10 dollars you made a shwoop sound when you watched this video,” added Magneto.

Commenters from cities in southern Sweden, including Stockholm, said it had been adopted there to some extent too.

Jen Reuterberg said he would write the word “fjo”, although others use “shoop”, “whoosh” or other spellings.

But is it really any easier than a nod, a “ja” or a few positive noises?

“I’d say it requires slightly less energy than saying ‘mm’,” said Stefan Andersson. “When saying ‘mm’, you have to breathe out air with enough power to get your vocal cords vibrating, but with ‘suup’ you only have to take a quick breath through your teeth.”

So now you know. Whoosh!