Useful Danish Words and Phrases
Most Danes do have some English understanding, and the majority have a very good understanding. However, as in any country it's always polite to have a few words in Danish in order to communicate. Anyone who has visited a foreign language country knows the uncomfortable feeling of not knowing how to say sorry to somebody because you bumped into them.
In Denmark in particular, don't fear that saying "hello" in Danish will result in someone believing you speak Danish. Your average Dane will immediately recognize your English accent and be delighted to practice their English skills, yet your use of a few words of Danish will mark you as an experienced traveler.
There are a multitude of other situations where knowing a little bit of the language would be helpful. Knowing a handful of Danish words can also help you translate some of the Danish signs and text you will encounter while you are in Denmark. Any attempt a foreigner makes at speaking Danish will be greatly appreciated.
Her are a few helpful words and phrases in order to get you started:
|
English
|
Danish
|
Pronounciation
|
|
Hello
|
Goddag/Hej
|
Go-day/Hi
|
|
Goodbye
|
Farvel
|
Fah-vel
|
|
Yes
|
Ja
|
Ya
|
|
No
|
Nej
|
Nai
|
|
Thank you
|
Tak
|
Tack
|
|
Excuse me
|
Undskyld
|
Un-school
|
|
Sorry
|
Beklager
|
Bi-clay-er
|
|
You're welcome
|
Selv tak
|
Sell tack
|
|
Do you speak English?
|
Taler du engelsk?
|
Tai-ler do eng-gelsk?
|
|
I don't speak Danish.
|
Jeg taler ikke dansk.
|
Yai tai-ler igge dansk.
|
|
How much is it?
|
Hvor meget koster det?
|
Vor my-et kaw-sta day?
|
|
I'm just looking. (Useful when shopping)
|
Jeg kigger bare.
|
Yai kee-gah bah
|
|
Unleaded petrol
|
Blyfri benzin
|
Blee-free ben-seen
|
|
Diesel
|
Diesel
|
Dee-sel
|
|
Where is...
|
Hvor er...
|
Vor air...
|
|
I'm ill
|
Jeg er syg.
|
Yai air sue.
|
| I'm allergic to... | Jeg er allergisk over for... | Yai air a-ler-geesk ower for... |
|
It hurts here.
|
Det gør ondt her.
|
Day ger ond hair.
|
| What's your name? | Hvad hedder du? | Ved hell-er do? |
| My name is... | Mit navn er... | Meet now-n air.. |
| Where are you from? | Hvor kommer du fra? | Vor kom-ah do fra? |
| I'm from... | Jeg er fra... | Jai air fra.. |
| Entrance | Indgang | In-gang |
| Exit | Udgang | Ool-gang |
| Open | Åben | Oben |
| Closed | Lukket | Lou-ket |
| Prohibited | Forbudt | For-boot |
| Police | Politi | Po-lee-tee |
| Hospital | Hospitalet/Sygehus | Haws-pee-tai-let/Sue-who-s |
| Post Office | Posthus | Post-who |
| City Centre | Centrum | Cen-trum |
| What time is it? | Hvad er klokken? | Ved air claw-gen |
| Toilet (Mens) | Toilet (Herrer) | Toy-let (Hair-ah) |
|
Toilet (Womens)
|
Toilet (Damer)
|
Toy-let (Day-mah)
|
|
Merry Christmas
|
Glædelig Jul
|
Gley-thlee yool
|
More about Learning Danish and the unique Danish Alphabet.
LastUpdate: 2020-05-15 18:54:39