Danish is spoken by around 6 million people in Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Greenland. From Copenhagen to Aarhus, from Odense to Aalborg: with this kit, you have the bare minimum to get by in Denmark and to recognize the Scandinavian language with the most distinctive pronunciation.
Danish (dansk) is spoken by around 6 million people in Denmark, and as a minority language in southern Schleswig (Germany), the Faroe Islands and Greenland (special statuses). Linguistically, Danish is part of the North Germanic languages, alongside Swedish and Norwegian, to which it is very close in writing. A Dane and a Norwegian can often read each other without much difficulty; orally, however, Danish pronunciation remains a challenge even for other Scandinavians. Danish is known for its swallowed vowels, softened consonants, and famous "stod" (glottal stop) that can change a word's meaning. In writing, Danish uses the Latin alphabet with three additional letters after z (ae, o, a). Grammar is simple: no person conjugations, two genders (common and neuter), and a fairly fixed word order. Common vocabulary is largely transparent for those who know English or German. Culturally, Denmark is known for hygge (warm cocooning), an egalitarian and very direct society, cities designed for biking, world-renowned functional design, and a strong attachment to nature and family. This kit gathers the bare essentials to handle an airport arrival, a taxi ride, a restaurant order, a medical emergency and a smooth departure. You will find indispensable greetings, survival phrases for orientation, key words for eating and sleeping, as well as cultural tips to avoid faux pas. Memorize these expressions before leaving and you will gain confidence from the very first hours on site.
Here is how these phrases play out in real life. Each scene sets the stage and gathers the useful expressions.
You land at Copenhagen Kastrup in the early evening. The arrivals hall is calm and well organized. An agent meets your gaze, you greet him and ask for directions.
The taxi driver loads your suitcase and asks for your destination. You give him the hotel address, you want to check the price before leaving, then you will ask him to stop right in front of the entrance.
You enter a typical restaurant in the early evening. The waiter seats you and hands you the menu. You hesitate over the daily special and ask for advice before ordering water and the bill.
You feel sick after a meal and you need help quickly. You ask where the nearest hospital is and you mention that you are allergic to certain foods.
On the morning of departure, you want to confirm check-out time at the reception, then catch a taxi to the airport. Before leaving, you warmly say goodbye to the hotel staff.
What you need to know before travelling to a danish-speaking country.
In modern Danish, the informal "du" is universal, as in Sweden and Norway. Formal "De" is very rare and reserved for the royal family or highly formal contexts.
The concept of "hygge" (warm cocooning, conviviality) is central in Danish culture. Candles, blankets, shared meals, intimate atmosphere: it is the essence of Danish daily life and a source of national pride.
Danish pronunciation is famously difficult: swallowed vowels, softened consonants, the "stod" (glottal stop) that can change meaning. Even Swedes and Norwegians find spoken Danish harder than written.
Danes generally speak excellent English, especially younger generations. Don't hesitate to switch to English if communication breaks down, it is accepted without issue.
The bicycle is king in Copenhagen and most Danish cities. Respect bike lanes: walking on them is dangerous and frowned upon. Always check before crossing.
Punctuality is respected, without being as rigid as in Germany. Five to ten minutes late without notice is acceptable privately, but be exactly on time at work.
Tipping is not expected: service is included everywhere. Rounding up the bill in restaurants is appreciated but remains optional and never mandatory.
Danes are openly direct and egalitarian. The universal "du" does not mean excessive familiarity: appropriate distance is kept, but without marked verbal hierarchy.
Preview. The full glossary (30 words) and all the phrases are in the PDF.
Ja
yah
Yes
Nej
nai
No
Tak
tahk
Thank you
Selv tak
sel tahk
You're welcome
Undskyld
OON-skuel
Sorry
Vand
vahn
Water
Mad
madh
Food
Hotel
ho-TEL
Hotel
Lufthavn
LOOFT-how-n
Airport
Hospital
hoss-pi-TAL
Hospital
A hundred words, thirty key phrases, as a printable PDF. Instant download, also sent by e-mail.
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Every translation is cross-checked against at least two concordant sources among the references below.
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