Language Cheat Sheet: Danish

Posted by
Lisa Sabol-Sikorski
Dec 27, 2006

Danish, like Swedish and Norwegian, is a Germanic language. While there are similarities to written Swedish and Norwegian, Danes are known for having a guttural accent, making it difficult even for other Scandinavians to understand them when they speak. The Danish to English phrases below will at least help you be understood by others and give you the basics to read signs and get around the country, whether you are in Copenhagen, Arhus, or any other corner of Denmark.

GREETINGS and CONVERSATION

English - Danish

Hello - Hallo/Hej
Goodbye - Farvel
Yes - Ja
No – Nej
Please – Må jeg bede
Thank you – Tak
You’re welcome – Selv tak
Excuse me/sorry – Undskyld
Do you speak English? – Taler de engelsk?
What’s your name? – Hvad hedder du?
My name is… - Mit navn er…

SHOPPING and SERVICES

English - Danish

bank - en bank
chemist/pharmacy – et aptotek
newsagent – en aviskiosk
tourist office - turistinformationen

TRANSPORTATION

English – Danish

airport - lufthavn
boat – båden
bus (city) – bussen
bus (intercity) – rutebilen
car – bil
bicycle - cykel
bus stop – bus holdeplads
train – toget
train station – jernbanestation (banegård)
tram – sporvognen
tram stop – sporvogn holdepads
one way ticket – en enkelbillet
return ticket – en tur-retur billet
timetable - køreplan

EMERGENCIES

English - Danish

Help! – Hjælp!
Call a doctor! – Ring efter en læge!
Call the police – Ring efter politiet!
Go away! – Forsvind!

SIGNS

English - Danish

Entrance - Indgang
Exit - Udgang
Open – ?ben
Closed - Lukket
Prohibited - Forbudt
Toilets – Toiletter
Men’s Toilet - Herrer
Women - Damer

For seafood and fish translations, visit the Nordic Fish Guide. For basic phrases in other Nordic languages, see the Norwegian, Swedish, or Finnish language cheat sheets.

English to Danish translations taken from Lonely Planet Scandinavia, 7th Edition, February 2005 and www.freedict.com/onldict/dan.html.