Useful Danish Phrases

Learning a few useful danish phrases or words can go a long way to making your stay or visit in Denmark more enjoyable.

Some common words and phrases: First comes the English and the next is the Dansk word.

Good day - Goddag

Hello - Hej (informal greeting, which is very common; it's pronounced just like "Hi" - so that is easy)

Yes - Ja

No - Nej

Please - Være så venlig

Goodbye - Farvel

Here you go - Værsgo (this often used as an invitation to do something like sitting down, join us, please take this, etc.)

Thank you/Thank you very much - Tak/Mange tak

You're welcome - Selv tak (when someone says "tak" to you, you can respond with "selv tak")

Excuse Me - Undskyld (unfortunately, this is not used as much as it should be)

Do you speak English? - Taler du engelsk?

I don't understand - Jeg forstår ikke

I don't understand Danish. - Jeg forstår ikke dansk

(These last 3 Danish phrases will probably be the most important ones you will be using when visiting Denmark, because after saying them, the Danes will proudly show you their grasp of the English language. And most speak it better than some natives.)

What is your name? - Hvad hedder du?

My name is _ - Mit navn er _

Where is the main train station? - Hvor er hovedbanegården?

...a post office? - et posthus?

...the police? - politiet?

...tourist office? - turist bureau?

...the bus? - bussen?

...the train? - toget?

Listen to a little spoken Danish by clicking on the video.

More Useful Phrases

When you go shopping and pay with a credit card or Dan Kort, the cashier will ask you.

Pa beløbet? , which means do you just the amount you bought for charged on your card or do you want cash back. This is usually only done if shopping with a DanKort, but have seen it done when someone presents a credit card.

If you just want the charge your purchases, you answer by saying "på beløbet". If you cash back. You say much you want back. "Fem hundred." That would give you 500 kroner in cash. There is no additional charge for this service, but of course your DanKort will be charged an extra 500 kroner or whatever amount you asked for.

It is not free money! lol

Along the line of shopping phrases, you will also hear Vil du have bonen med?, which means would you like the printed receipt with you. Just answer Ja or Nej, depending on what you want.

The next Danish phrase is one you will hear whenever someone is eating and another person walks in or by. They will say "velbekommen", which is the same as saying "bon apetite" in French. It just means enjoy your meal.

People say "velbekommen" when they enter break rooms, the office cafeteria or come across friends eating out. It is a cute tradition, but it can often get on your nerves. Because you naturally have to say something back like "tak" or "mange tak".

When you are trying to enjoy a break, you are constantly interrupted by "velbekommen". Hard to read the paper or have a conversation. And of course you are expected to say "velbekommen", when you enter the room where someone is eating.

When you leave work, the Danes also have a few phrases that you love to use.

Tak for i dag!, (thanks for today) or , which loosely translates as good unemployment? Why they say that is beyond me, but lots of people say it when leaving work.

Godt weekend means good weekend and is a common thing to say on Friday afternoon when heading home for the weekend.

Prosit (bless you) is for when someone sneezes.

At work or when someone does something for you or vice versa, you will hear Det var så lidt. in repsonse to tak. It means "Don't mention it" or "it was so little". It would seem natural to say "you're welcome" or velbekommen, but that is not the case.

And my all time favorite is Tak for sidst, which means thanks for the last time. People say this to other people they met at a party or an event. Even if they did not throw the event. If they were just there, you greet them with Tak for sidst, when you first meet again after the event.

This can be hilarious when you come back from an office party and several hundred people meet up. All you hear is Tak for sidst, Tak for sidst, Tak for sidst ... a cacophony of noise. Even if the event was 6 months ago, it is the same greeting.

So anyway that should keep you entertained for awhile. Hope this helps you integrate a little better into Danish society and at least you will know what to say in response to those you say.

Pa beløbet? (has thrown many expats for a loop)

Continue your learning by checking out more danish phrases and vocabulary or speed up your learning with one of the best language programs on the market today - Transparent.com. You will really get a great start on Danish with this complete package and be way ahead of your classmates when you start Danish classes.

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