Photo by Wilhelm Gunkel on Unsplash
Looking for a list of basic Danish words? You’re in the right place. Whether you’re traveling to Copenhagen, relocating for work, or just curious about the Danish language, learning a few essential Danish words and phrases will go a long way.
Most Danes speak English well—but showing effort to use basic Danish words like hej (hi) and tak (thanks) can open doors, smiles, and smoother experiences. This guide introduces you to more than 150 of the most useful Danish words, pronunciation tips, and cultural insights to help you speak confidently and respectfully.
Table of Contents
Open Table of Contents
- Why Learn Basic Danish Words?
- Tips on Danish Pronunciation
- Essential Greetings and Polite Phrases
- Common Questions and Responses
- Danish Numbers and Time Words
- Travel and Transportation Vocabulary
- Shopping and Dining Terms
- Useful Danish Verbs and Adjectives
- Words for Emergencies
- Cultural Tips for Using Danish Words
- How to Practice and Remember Vocabulary
- Final Thoughts
Why Learn Basic Danish Words?
Even though most Danes are fluent in English, using Danish shows respect and effort. Knowing basic Danish words makes it easier to:
- Navigate public signs and menus
- Greet locals and ask questions politely
- Read transportation or grocery labels
- Handle emergencies with confidence
And let’s be honest: it feels pretty great to say “Farvel!” instead of “bye” and get a nod of appreciation.
Tips on Danish Pronunciation
Danish pronunciation can be tricky—some letters sound very different from English. Here are a few basics:
| Danish Letter | Sounds Like |
|---|---|
| æ | ”a” in “cat” |
| ø | “i” in “bird” |
| å | “o” in “more” |
| j | “y” in “yes” |
| d (sometimes) | often silent or very soft “th” |
Tip: Try listening to native speakers through YouTube or language apps. Mimic the rhythm and tone—it’ll help with confidence.
Essential Greetings and Polite Phrases
| Danish | English | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hej | Hi / Hello | “Hi” |
| Godmorgen | Good morning | “Go moan” |
| Godaften | Good evening | “Go ahf-ten” |
| Farvel | Goodbye | “Far-vel” |
| Tak | Thank you | “Tack” |
| Mange tak | Thanks a lot | “Mahn-geh tack” |
| Selv tak | You’re welcome | “Selv tack” |
| Undskyld | Excuse me / Sorry | “Un-skool” |
| Ja / Nej | Yes / No | “Ya” / “Nigh” |
| Velkommen | Welcome | “Vel-com-men” |
Common Questions and Responses
| Danish | English |
|---|---|
| Hvad hedder du? | What’s your name? |
| Jeg hedder… | My name is… |
| Hvordan har du det? | How are you? |
| Jeg har det fint | I’m fine |
| Taler du engelsk? | Do you speak English? |
| Jeg taler ikke dansk | I don’t speak Danish |
| Jeg forstår ikke | I don’t understand |
| Kan du hjælpe mig? | Can you help me? |
| Hvor er toilettet? | Where is the toilet? |
| Hvad betyder det? | What does that mean? |
Danish Numbers and Time Words
| Danish | English |
|---|---|
| nul | 0 |
| en / et | 1 |
| to | 2 |
| tre | 3 |
| fire | 4 |
| fem | 5 |
| seks | 6 |
| syv | 7 |
| otte | 8 |
| ni | 9 |
| ti | 10 |
| Hvad er klokken? | What time is it? |
| i dag | today |
| i morgen | tomorrow |
| i går | yesterday |
Travel and Transportation Vocabulary
| Danish | English |
|---|---|
| bus / tog | bus / train |
| billet | ticket |
| station | station |
| lufthavn | airport |
| taxa | taxi |
| højre / venstre | right / left |
| stop | stop |
| indgang / udgang | entrance / exit |
| vej | road |
| kort / lang | short / long |
Shopping and Dining Terms
| Danish | English |
|---|---|
| Hvor meget koster det? | How much does this cost? |
| Jeg vil gerne have… | I would like… |
| Menu | Menu |
| Drikkevarer | Beverages |
| Mad | Food |
| Vegetarisk | Vegetarian |
| Kød | Meat |
| Vand | Water |
| Øl / Vin | Beer / Wine |
| Regningen, tak | The bill, please |
Useful Danish Verbs and Adjectives
| Danish | English |
|---|---|
| være | to be |
| have | to have |
| spise | to eat |
| drikke | to drink |
| gå | to walk |
| komme | to come |
| smuk | beautiful |
| stor | big |
| lille | small |
| hurtig | fast |
| langsom | slow |
Words for Emergencies
| Danish | English |
|---|---|
| Hjælp! | Help! |
| Ring til politiet | Call the police |
| Ambulance | Ambulance |
| Brand | Fire |
| Jeg er syg | I am sick |
| Jeg er faret vild | I’m lost |
| Jeg har brug for en læge | I need a doctor |
| Nødudgang | Emergency exit |
Cultural Tips for Using Danish Words
- Be casual but polite: Danes are informal, but appreciate courtesy.
- Don’t over-apologize: One undskyld is enough.
- Use English if stuck: Most people will switch to English if needed.
- Smile when you say it: A friendly “Tak!” can go a long way.
How to Practice and Remember Vocabulary
- Use apps like Duolingo, Memrise, or Avatalks.
- Label items in your home with sticky notes in Danish.
- Watch Danish shows with subtitles (Rita, Borgen).
- Listen to Danish music or podcasts.
- Use spaced repetition flashcards.
Final Thoughts
Learning basic Danish words is one of the best things you can do before a trip to Denmark—or even if you’re just curious about the language. You don’t need to be fluent, but a few friendly phrases can make a big impact. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel.
So next time you’re in Denmark, try starting with “Hej!” and ending with a warm “Tak!”—you might just make a new friend.
Ready to go beyond basic Danish words? Try interactive lessons and AI-powered speaking practice at Avatalks — your personal language tutor, available anytime.