Learning Danish can be a rewarding endeavor, especially if you’re aiming to reach a B2 level of proficiency. At this stage, you should be able to understand the main ideas of complex texts, interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity, and produce clear, detailed texts on a wide range of subjects. To achieve this, expanding your vocabulary is essential. In this article, we’ll explore some key Danish words and phrases that will help you navigate through this intermediate level.

Everyday Vocabulary

At the B2 level, you should be familiar with a wide range of everyday vocabulary. Here are some essential words and phrases that can help you in daily conversations:

1. Forskellig – Different
Example: “Der er mange forskellige meninger om dette emne.” (There are many different opinions on this topic.)

2. Sammenligne – Compare
Example: “Hvordan kan vi sammenligne disse to bøger?” (How can we compare these two books?)

3. Beslutning – Decision
Example: “Det var en svær beslutning at tage.” (It was a difficult decision to make.)

4. Nysgerrig – Curious
Example: “Jeg er nysgerrig efter at vide mere om det.” (I’m curious to know more about it.)

5. Forbedre – Improve
Example: “Hvordan kan jeg forbedre min udtale?” (How can I improve my pronunciation?)

Work and Education

In a professional or academic context, you’ll need specific vocabulary to discuss your job, studies, and related activities. Here are some important words:

1. Ansvar – Responsibility
Example: “Jeg har meget ansvar på mit arbejde.” (I have a lot of responsibility at my job.)

2. Erfaring – Experience
Example: “Hun har mange års erfaring inden for marketing.” (She has many years of experience in marketing.)

3. Uddannelse – Education
Example: “Han har en god uddannelse fra universitetet.” (He has a good education from the university.)

4. Færdigheder – Skills
Example: “Hvilke færdigheder har du?” (What skills do you have?)

5. Karriere – Career
Example: “Jeg vil gerne udvikle min karriere inden for IT.” (I would like to develop my career in IT.)

Social Interactions

Being able to hold meaningful conversations and interact socially is crucial at the B2 level. Here are some phrases that can help you in social settings:

1. Hilsener – Greetings
Example: “Hej, hvordan går det?” (Hi, how are you?)

2. Smalltalk – Small talk
Example: “Det er dejligt vejr i dag, ikke?” (It’s nice weather today, isn’t it?)

3. Invitere – Invite
Example: “Vil du med til middag på lørdag?” (Would you like to come to dinner on Saturday?)

4. Tillykke – Congratulations
Example: “Tillykke med fødselsdagen!” (Happy birthday!)

5. Undskylde – Apologize
Example: “Jeg vil gerne undskylde for min fejl.” (I would like to apologize for my mistake.)

Descriptive Language

Describing people, places, and things accurately is a key component of reaching the B2 level. Here are some useful adjectives and related vocabulary:

1. Smuk – Beautiful
Example: “Det er en smuk park.” (It’s a beautiful park.)

2. Kedelig – Boring
Example: “Filmen var lidt kedelig.” (The movie was a bit boring.)

3. Spændende – Exciting
Example: “Det var en spændende oplevelse.” (It was an exciting experience.)

4. Mærkelig – Strange
Example: “Det er en mærkelig situation.” (It’s a strange situation.)

5. Komfortabel – Comfortable
Example: “Sofaen er meget komfortabel.” (The sofa is very comfortable.)

Expressing Opinions

Being able to express your opinions clearly and respectfully is important at the B2 level. Here are some phrases that can help you:

1. Mening – Opinion
Example: “Jeg har en anden mening om det.” (I have a different opinion about that.)

2. Enig – Agree
Example: “Jeg er enig med dig.” (I agree with you.)

3. Uenig – Disagree
Example: “Jeg er uenig i den beslutning.” (I disagree with that decision.)

4. Synes – Think
Example: “Jeg synes, det er en god idé.” (I think it’s a good idea.)

5. Tro – Believe
Example: “Jeg tror, han har ret.” (I believe he is right.)

Health and Well-being

Discussing health and well-being is often necessary in everyday conversations. Here are some useful terms:

1. Sund – Healthy
Example: “Det er vigtigt at spise sund mad.” (It’s important to eat healthy food.)

2. Syg – Sick
Example: “Jeg føler mig syg i dag.” (I feel sick today.)

3. Behandling – Treatment
Example: “Han får behandling for sin sygdom.” (He is receiving treatment for his illness.)

4. Medicin – Medicine
Example: “Har du taget din medicin?” (Have you taken your medicine?)

5. Træning – Exercise
Example: “Regelmæssig træning er godt for helbredet.” (Regular exercise is good for your health.)

Travel and Transportation

Whether you’re traveling within Denmark or abroad, knowing travel-related vocabulary is essential. Here are some important words and phrases:

1. Rejse – Travel
Example: “Jeg elsker at rejse til nye steder.” (I love traveling to new places.)

2. Transport – Transportation
Example: “Offentlig transport er meget effektiv her.” (Public transportation is very efficient here.)

3. Billet – Ticket
Example: “Hvor kan jeg købe en billet?” (Where can I buy a ticket?)

4. Fly – Plane
Example: “Vi skal tage et fly til Paris.” (We are taking a plane to Paris.)

5. Tidsplan – Schedule
Example: “Har du set tidsplanen for togene?” (Have you seen the train schedule?)

Environmental Vocabulary

Discussing environmental issues is becoming increasingly important. Here are some words that can help you engage in such conversations:

1. Miljø – Environment
Example: “Vi skal beskytte miljøet.” (We need to protect the environment.)

2. Forurening – Pollution
Example: “Forurening er et stort problem i mange byer.” (Pollution is a big problem in many cities.)

3. Genbrug – Recycling
Example: “Vi skal blive bedre til genbrug.” (We need to get better at recycling.)

4. Bæredygtig – Sustainable
Example: “Det er vigtigt at finde bæredygtige løsninger.” (It’s important to find sustainable solutions.)

5. Klimaforandringer – Climate change
Example: “Klimaforandringer påvirker hele verden.” (Climate change affects the entire world.)

Cultural Vocabulary

Understanding cultural nuances is crucial for language learners. Here are some words related to Danish culture:

1. Tradition – Tradition
Example: “Vi har mange traditioner i Danmark.” (We have many traditions in Denmark.)

2. Festival – Festival
Example: “Roskilde Festival er meget populær.” (The Roskilde Festival is very popular.)

3. Kunst – Art
Example: “Jeg er interesseret i dansk kunst.” (I am interested in Danish art.)

4. Mad – Food
Example: “Dansk mad er meget forskelligartet.” (Danish food is very diverse.)

5. Musik – Music
Example: “Jeg elsker dansk musik.” (I love Danish music.)

Advanced Connectors and Conjunctions

At the B2 level, it’s important to use more advanced connectors and conjunctions to make your speech and writing more coherent. Here are some useful words:

1. Desuden – Moreover
Example: “Desuden er det en god mulighed for at lære.” (Moreover, it’s a good opportunity to learn.)

2. Derfor – Therefore
Example: “Jeg har meget travlt, derfor kan jeg ikke komme.” (I am very busy, therefore I cannot come.)

3. Selvom – Although
Example: “Selvom det regner, går vi en tur.” (Although it is raining, we are going for a walk.)

4. Mens – While
Example: “Jeg læser, mens jeg venter på toget.” (I am reading while waiting for the train.)

5. Fordi – Because
Example: “Jeg kan ikke komme, fordi jeg er syg.” (I cannot come because I am sick.)

Expressions and Idioms

Using idiomatic expressions can make your Danish sound more natural and fluent. Here are some common Danish idioms:

1. At tage benene på nakken – To take the legs on the neck (to run away quickly)
Example: “Han tog benene på nakken, da han så politiet.” (He ran away quickly when he saw the police.)

2. At have sommerfugle i maven – To have butterflies in the stomach (to be nervous)
Example: “Jeg har sommerfugle i maven før min præsentation.” (I am nervous before my presentation.)

3. At slå to fluer med ét smæk – To kill two flies with one swat (to kill two birds with one stone)
Example: “Vi kan slå to fluer med ét smæk ved at løse begge problemer på én gang.” (We can kill two birds with one stone by solving both problems at once.)

4. At hænge med næbbet – To hang with the beak (to be down or depressed)
Example: “Han har hængt med næbbet siden han mistede sit job.” (He has been down since he lost his job.)

5. At være på herrens mark – To be on the lord’s field (to be in a difficult situation)
Example: “Jeg er på herrens mark med denne opgave.” (I am in a difficult situation with this task.)

Conclusion

Reaching a B2 level in Danish requires a solid understanding of a wide range of vocabulary and the ability to use it in various contexts. By familiarizing yourself with these words and phrases, you will be better equipped to engage in meaningful conversations, understand complex texts, and express yourself more fluently. Practice regularly, immerse yourself in the language, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Happy learning!