Top Danish Survival Phrases
Photo via Pixabay / Pixabay
The Danish language is sometimes tarnished with the brush of being difficult. We disagree. We happen to believe that if you give any language a go, you’ll discover it’s much easier than you think. Which is why we decided to put together a little survival language to help you get started.
To Begin: Here are a few of the most basic expressions to help familiarise you with Danish.
Hej! - Hi!
God morgen/aften! - God morning/evening!
Velkommen! - Welcome!
Hvordan har du/de det? - How are you?
Jeg har det fint, tak! - I'm fine, thanks!
Og dig/ dem? - And you?
Godt/ Sådan nogenlunde. - Good/ So-so.
Tak! (Mange tak!) - Thank you (very much)!
Du/ de er velkommen! - You're welcome! (for ‘thank you’)
Ja - yes.
Nej - no.
Photo via Pixabay / Pixabay
On Your Travels: Now a few helpful phrases for when you first arrive in Denmark.
Kan du/ de hjælpe mig? - Can you help me?
Hvor er (toilettet/ apoteket)? - Where is the (bathroom/ pharmacy)?
Hvor meget koster den/ det? - How much is this?
Undskyld mig… - Excuse me ... (to ask for something)
Undskyld! - Excuse me! (to pass by)
Taler du/ de (engelsk/ dansk)? - Do you speak (English/ Danish)?
Har i nogen ledige værelser? - Do you have any rooms available?
Kan I veksle penge for mig? - Where can I get money changed?
Jeg er sulten/ tørstig. - I'm hungry/ thirsty.
Hvad betyder “.....” på Engelsk? - What does "....." mean in English?
Photo via Pixabay / Pixabay
Sticking Around: If you decide to spend a little more time in Denmark then here are some more phrases for you to get familiar with.
Hvad er dit/ deres navn? - What's your name?
Mit navn er… - My name is ...
Hvad hedder det på dansk? - What's that called in Danish?
Undskyld? - I'm sorry? (if you don't hear something).
Jeg beklager. - Sorry (for a mistake).
Intet problem! - No problem!
Kan du/ de sige det igen? - Can you say it again?
Kan du/ de sige det langsomt? - Can you speak slowly?
Vær venlig at skrive det ned! - Write it down please!
Jeg forstår ikke! - I don't understand!
Photo via Flickr / Flickr
For The Long Termers: If you decide to settle in Denmark then obviously you’ll want to learn the language more fluently. Here are a few words and phrases to help you on your way.
Prosit! - Bless you (when sneezing)
Værsgo! - Here you go! (when giving something)
Kan du/ de lide den? - Do you like it?
Jeg kan virkelig lide den! - I really like it!
Virkelig! - Really!
Se! - Look!
Skynd dig/ dem! - Hurry up!
Hvad? Hvor? - What? Where?
Jeg er vegetar. - I'm a vegetarian.
Jeg spiser ikke… - I don't eat...
Må jeg låne din telefon? - Can I use your phone?
Pa beløbet? - Do you want charging just for your purchases or do you need cashback?
Vil du have bonen med? - Do you want a printed receipt?
Tak for i dag! - thank you for a nice time together (when you have had a good time with someone or a group of people).
Godt weekend - have a good weekend.
Det var så lidt - don’t mention it (when someone has done something for you).
Tak for sidst - ‘thanks for the last time’, said to people you may meet at a party or event, not dependent on an actual timescale.
Photo via Pixabay / Pixabay
This is but a taster of the diversity of the Danish language. When are you going to visit the beautiful Denmark for yourself?! Contact us and have a look at what language courses we have to offer so that we may help you prepare for your future travel plans.