Learning Danish can be a rewarding experience, especially if you’re just starting out. Whether you’re planning to travel to Denmark, connect with Danish relatives, or simply have an interest in the language, knowing essential vocabulary is a crucial first step. For learners at the A1 level, mastering a basic set of words can make a world of difference in your ability to communicate effectively. In this article, we’ll cover 50 essential Danish words that every beginner should know. These words will help you navigate everyday conversations and build a solid foundation for your language learning journey.

Basic Greetings and Politeness

1. **Hej** (Hello)
– This is the most common greeting in Danish, used in both formal and informal settings.

2. **Farvel** (Goodbye)
– Use this word when you are leaving a place or ending a conversation.

3. **Tak** (Thank you)
– A polite way to express gratitude in Danish.

4. **Ja** (Yes)
– A simple affirmation that you’ll use frequently.

5. **Nej** (No)
– The opposite of “ja,” used to negate or decline.

6. **Undskyld** (Excuse me / Sorry)
– Useful for getting someone’s attention or apologizing.

7. **Vær så venlig** (Please)
– A polite way to make requests.

Numbers and Time

8. **En** (One)
– The first number and the basis for counting in Danish.

9. **To** (Two)
– The number two, essential for basic arithmetic and conversation.

10. **Tre** (Three)
– The number three.

11. **Fire** (Four)
– The number four.

12. **Fem** (Five)
– The number five.

13. **Seks** (Six)
– The number six.

14. **Syv** (Seven)
– The number seven.

15. **Otte** (Eight)
– The number eight.

16. **Ni** (Nine)
– The number nine.

17. **Ti** (Ten)
– The number ten.

18. **Time** (Hour)
– Useful for telling time.

19. **Minut** (Minute)
– Another time-related term.

20. **Dag** (Day)
– Important for discussing days of the week and planning.

Common Nouns

21. **Mand** (Man)
– A common noun you’ll encounter frequently.

22. **Kvinde** (Woman)
– The female counterpart to “mand.”

23. **Barn** (Child)
– A gender-neutral term for a young person.

24. **Hus** (House)
– A common place of residence.

25. **By** (City)
– Useful for discussing locations.

26. **Ven** (Friend)
– A term for someone you have a friendly relationship with.

27. **Mad** (Food)
– Essential for discussing meals and preferences.

28. **Drik** (Drink)
– Useful when ordering beverages.

29. **Bil** (Car)
– Important for discussing transportation.

30. **Arbejde** (Work)
– Common in conversations about daily activities.

Basic Verbs

31. **At være** (To be)
– One of the most fundamental verbs in any language.

32. **At have** (To have)
– Another essential verb for basic conversation.

33. **At gøre** (To do)
– Useful for discussing actions and activities.

34. **At gå** (To go)
– Important for discussing movement and travel.

35. **At spise** (To eat)
– Essential for talking about meals and food.

36. **At drikke** (To drink)
– Useful when discussing beverages.

37. **At sove** (To sleep)
– Important for discussing rest and daily routines.

38. **At arbejde** (To work)
– Common in conversations about employment and tasks.

39. **At elske** (To love)
– Useful for expressing affection and preferences.

40. **At tale** (To speak)
– Essential for discussing language and communication.

Useful Adjectives

41. **Stor** (Big)
– Useful for describing size.

42. **Lille** (Small)
– The opposite of “stor,” important for size descriptions.

43. **God** (Good)
– Common in positive descriptions.

44. **Dårlig** (Bad)
– Useful for negative descriptions.

45. **Glad** (Happy)
– Important for discussing emotions.

46. **Trist** (Sad)
– The opposite of “glad,” useful for emotional expression.

47. **Ny** (New)
– Common in discussions about time and acquisition.

48. **Gammel** (Old)
– Useful for describing age and time.

49. **Rigtig** (Right / Correct)
– Important for affirmations and correctness.

50. **Forkert** (Wrong)
– The opposite of “rigtig,” useful for negations and corrections.

Conclusion

These 50 essential Danish words will serve as a solid foundation for your A1-level language learning. By familiarizing yourself with these terms, you’ll be better equipped to handle basic conversations, express your needs, and understand common expressions. Remember, language learning is a gradual process, and the more you practice, the more confident you’ll become. Don’t hesitate to use these words in your daily life, and soon enough, you’ll find yourself more comfortable and proficient in Danish. Happy learning!