When you find yourself in Denmark or around Danish speakers, knowing a few handy phrases for events and gatherings can make a world of difference in your social interactions. Here are some essential Danish phrases to learn, each with a definition and an example to help you grasp its use in context.

Velkommen
Meaning: Welcome
Velkommen til min fødselsdagsfest!
(Welcome to my birthday party!)

Skål
Meaning: Cheers
Skål! Lad os fejre din forfremmelse!
(Cheers! Let’s celebrate your promotion!)

Tillykke
Meaning: Congratulations
Tillykke med dit nye job!
(Congratulations on your new job!)

Jeg vil gerne foreslå en skål for…
Meaning: I would like to propose a toast to…
Jeg vil gerne foreslå en skål for brudeparret!
(I would like to propose a toast to the newlyweds!)

Hvor er toilettet?
Meaning: Where is the bathroom?
Undskyld mig, hvor er toilettet?
(Excuse me, where is the bathroom?)

Kan jeg få…?
Meaning: Can I get…?
Kan jeg få en kop kaffe, tak?
(Can I get a cup of coffee, please?)

Må jeg bede om…
Meaning: May I please have…
Må jeg bede om saltet?
(May I please have the salt?)

Dette er…
Meaning: This is…
Dette er min ven fra universitetet.
(This is my friend from the university.)

Jeg hedder…
Meaning: My name is…
Hej, jeg hedder Mikkel.
(Hey, my name is Mikkel.)

Hyggeligt at møde dig
Meaning: Nice to meet you
Hyggeligt at møde dig, tak for invitationen.
(Nice to meet you, thanks for the invitation.)

Hvordan kender du…?
Meaning: How do you know…?
Hvordan kender du fødselaren?
(How do you know the birthday person?)

Vil du danse?
Meaning: Would you like to dance?
Du ser ud som om du har lyst til at danse, vil du danse?
(You look like you want to dance, would you like to dance?)

Kan vi tage et billede sammen?
Meaning: Can we take a picture together?
Det her er et perfekt øjeblik, kan vi tage et billede sammen?
(This is a perfect moment, can we take a picture together?)

Jeg afslår tak
Meaning: No thank you (polite refusal)
Vil du have mere kage? Nej, jeg afslår tak.
(Would you like more cake? No thank you.)

Armed with these simple yet effective Danish phrases, you’ll be ready to navigate any event or gathering with more confidence and cultural awareness. Considering how Denmark is often referred to as one of the happiest countries in the world, your efforts to speak the language can go a long way in forging new connections. Husk, øvelse gør mester! (Remember, practice makes perfect!)