Learning a new language can often be as much about picking up everyday expressions as it is about mastering grammar and vocabulary. Danish is a North Germanic language spoken primarily in Denmark, with a wealth of phrases that can help you sound more natural when conversing. In this article, we’ll explore some everyday expressions in Danish that will help you to engage more authentically with native speakers.

Hej
Hej is one of the first words you’ll hear in Denmark. It is a casual greeting equivalent to the English ‘hello’ or ‘hi.’ It’s a universal greeting that can be used at any time of day.

Hej, hvordan har du det?

Godmorgen
Wish someone a good morning in Danish with Godmorgen. This friendly morning salutation is a great way to start off any day.

Godmorgen! Har du sovet godt?

Hej hej
While it might look like just a repetition of ‘hej,’ hej hej is actually used as a casual farewell, similar to ‘bye-bye.’

Jeg må løbe nu, hej hej!

Mange tak
To express gratitude, Mange tak is what you say in Danish. It translates to ‘many thanks’ or ‘thank you very much.’

Mange tak for hjælpen med mine lektier.

Undskyld
If you’re looking to make an apology or get someone’s attention politely, Undskyld is the word for ‘sorry’ or ‘excuse me.’

Undskyld, må jeg lige komme forbi?

Skål
When raising a glass to toast in Denmark, you say Skål! This is an expression used before having a drink, similar to ‘cheers.’

Lad os drikke en øl, skål!

Hvordan går det?
Curious about how someone is doing? Ask Hvordan går det? Meaning ‘How are things?’ or ‘How are you?’, this question shows your interest in the well-being of others.

Hej, hvordan går det med dig i dag?

Ingen årsag
When someone says Mange tak, a common response is Ingen årsag, which means ‘You’re welcome’ or ‘No problem.’

Det var så lidt, ingen årsag!

Det var så lidt
Another way to respond to thanks is with Det var så lidt. This phrase means ‘It was nothing’ and suggests the help or service was a small effort on your part.

Mange tak for kaffen. – Det var så lidt!

Jeg forstår ikke
Encountering a situation where you’re struggling with comprehension? Jeg forstår ikke is the way to say ‘I don’t understand.’

Kan du gentage det, jeg forstår ikke.

Vær så god
When giving something to someone or offering them to proceed, Vær så god is an idiomatic expression equivalent to ‘Here you go’ or ‘Go ahead.’

Her er din kaffe, vær så god.

These phrases are the building blocks of daily interaction in Danish society. Familiarity with these expressions will not only enhance your vocabulary but will also showcase your respect for the culture and foster better communication. Remember, practice is key to feeling confident in using these expressions, so don’t shy away from implementing them in your conversations with Danish speakers. God fornøjelse! (Enjoy!)