A List of Important Danish Words
Useful Danish Phrases:
Greetings
Dag | Day |
Hej | Hello |
God morgen | Good morning (om morgenen / formiddagen) |
God dag | Good afternoon (om eftermiddagen) / Hello / Good day / How do you do |
Morgen | Morning |
Aften | Evening |
Nat | Night |
Godaften | Good evening (after 7 p.m.) |
Godnat | Good night |
Farvel | Goodbye |
Vi ses | See you |
Kære | Dear |
Common used words
Ja | Yes |
Nej | No |
Tak | Thank you |
Fint tak | Fine, thank you |
Undskyld | Sorry |
Hvordan har du det? | How are you? |
Hvor er du fra? | Where are you from? |
Taler du engelsk? | Do you speak English? |
Taler du dansk? | Do you speak Danish? |
Hvor meget koster det? | How much is this? |
Jeg forstår ikke | I don’t understand |
Det ved jeg ikke | I don’t know |
Måske | Maybe |
Hjælp | Help |
Services
Statsadministrationen | The State Administration |
SKAT | Tax (and “dear or darling”) |
Styrelsen for International Rekruttering og Integration (SIRI) | The (Danish) Agency for International Recruitment and Integration |
Udlændingestyrelsen | Danish Immigration Service |
Pladsanvisning | Daycare department |
Dagpleje | Daycare (day care kids 0-3) |
Vuggestue | Childcare (institution age 0-3) |
Børnehave | Kindergarden (age 3-5) |
Skole | School |
Boligstøtte | Housing benefit |
Børne- og ungdomsydelse | Child benefit |
Sygehus | Hospital |
Skadestue | Emergency Department |
Apotek | Pharmacy / Drugstore |
Politi | Police |
Brandvæsen | Fire Department |
Posthus | Post Office |
Rådhus | City Hall |
Borgerservice | Citizen Service |
Kørekort | Driving licence |
Sygesikringskort | Healthcare Card |
Køreskole | Driving School |
Læge | Doctor |
Privatpraktiserende læge | General Practitioner |
Tandlæge | Dentist |
Dyrlæge | Veterinarian |
Tid | Time / Appointment |
Recept | Prescription |
Work related
Arbejde | Work |
Frivilligt arbejde | Volunteer Work |
Ansøgning | Application |
Ansat | Employee |
Arbejdsgiver | Employer |
Fagforening | Union / Trade Union |
Insurances
Forsikring | Insurance |
Ulykkkesforsikring | Accident insurance |
Indboforsikring | Contents insurance |
Ansvarsforsikring | Third-party insurance / Liability insurance |
Bilforsikring | Vehicle insurance / car insurance (for car and motorcycle) |
Rejseforsikring | Travel Insurance |
Husforsikring | Housing insurance |
Arbejdsløshedsforsikring | Unemployment insurance |
A-kasse | Unemployment insurance fund |
Transportation
Bil | Car |
Cykel | Bike / bicycle |
Cykelhjelm | Bike helmet |
Bus | Bus |
Tog | Train |
Skib | Ship |
Færge | Ferry |
Fly | Aeroplane / plane / flight |
Lufthavn | Airport |
Havn | Port / Harbour |
Banegård | Railway station |
Offentlig transport | Public Transport |
Gågade | Pedestrian street |
Højre | Right |
Venstre | Left |
Ligeud | Straight ahead / follow the … |
Aflyst | Cancelled |
Places
Mødested | Meeting Place |
Arrangement / event | Event |
Underholdning | Entertainment |
Musikfestival | (Music) Festival |
Udendørsaktivitet | Outdoor activities |
Park | Park |
Teater | Theatre |
Musik | Music |
Koncert | Concert |
Biograf | Cinema |
Kultur | Culture |
Idræt / Sport | Sport |
Klub | Club |
Forening | Association |
Kunst | Art |
Bibliotek | Library |
Museum | Museum |
Genbrugsbutik | Second-hand store |
Loppemarked | Flea market / garage sale |
Gratis adgang | Free entrance/admission |
Family
Børn | Kids / Children |
Gift | Married (and ”poison”) |
Mand (ægtemand) | Husband |
Kone | Wife |
Mand | Man |
Kvinde | Woman |
Dreng | Boy |
Pige | Girl |
Bedsteforældre | Grand parents |
Baby | Baby |
Family | Familie |
Other words
Pris | Price |
Kontant | Cash |
Kvittering / bon | Receipt |
Bog | Book |
Tilladt | Allowed |
Forbudt | Forbidden / prohibited |
Adgang forbudt | No access / no entry / no admittance |
Affald | Waste |
Husholdningsaffald | Household Waste |
Genbrugsaffald | Recyclable waste |
Food and drink
Mad | Food |
Drikke | Drink |
Morgenmad | Breakfast |
Frokost | Lunch |
Aftensmad | Dinner |
Natmad | Late night snack |
Øl | Beer |
Vin | Wine |
Sodavand | Soda |
Vand | Water |
Drink | Drink (liqour) |
Mælk | Milk |
Frugt | Fruit |
Grønsager | Vegetables |
Colors
Sort | Black |
Hvid | White |
Gul | Yellow |
Grøn | Green |
Orange | Orange |
Blå | Blue |
Rød | Red |
Lilla | Purple |
Lyserød | Pink |
Brun | Brown |
Grå | Grey |
Mørk | Dark |
Lys | Light |
Do you think that a useful word or phrase is missing from this list? Please let us know. You can contact us at iso@sdu.dk. Please mark your email "Useful Danish Phrases".