Figure it out. Say it. Remember it.

Learning Danish: a practical guide

This is a written companion to the free Danish course on LanguagePath: what the language is like, how it sounds, the phrases you will use first, how the course is structured, and what to watch out for. Everything here comes from the same lessons you can practise interactively above.

What Danish is like

Danish word order is close to English: subject, verb, object. Danish nouns have two genders — en and et — so it's en mand (a man) but et hus (a house). Verbs don't change for person: jeg er, du er, han er all use the same er. The vowels æ, ø and å are letters in their own right and come after z in the alphabet.

Words you may already know

Pronunciation notes

Danish has a few sounds that don't exist in English, but the spelling is predictable once you know them. The tricky part is the way words glide together — don't worry if it feels fast at first.

• æ — like the "a" in cat, but a little longer, as in æble = apple.
• ø — say "er" in her with rounded lips, as in øl = beer.
• å — like the "aw" in law, as in gå = to go.
• stød — the glottal stop — a short catch or "click" inside a syllable, as in en mand = a man.
• d — the soft d — between vowels it sounds like a very light "th" or "l", as in mad = food.
• g — after a vowel it softens toward a "y" or becomes a small hitch, as in jeg = I.
• r — a guttural r at the back of the throat, like French or German, as in rød = red.
• j — always like the "y" in yes, as in jeg hedder = my name is.

First phrases

The pocket phrases below are the ones learners reach for most often. Say each one out loud a few times before moving on.

How the Danish course is structured

The course has 12 short lessons that build on each other. Each one introduces a few new pieces and then asks you to construct sentences you have never seen, before revealing the answer:

1. Greetings & being polite — hej · godmorgen · godaften · tak
2. Please & thank you — tak · vær så venlig · undskyld · ja/nej
3. Numbers 1–10 — en · to · tre · fire · fem
4. I want" — jeg vil & jeg vil gerne — jeg vil · jeg vil gerne have · det
5. Food & drink — vand · brød · kaffe · te · øl
6. Getting around — hvor er …? · til højre · til venstre · lige ud
7. Questions & "can I…?" — hvad · hvor · hvornår · kan jeg …?
8. Family & people — familie · mor · far · bror · søster · ven
9. Time, days & weather — i dag · i morgen · hvad er vejret?
10. Your name — jeg hedder · hvad hedder du? · hyggeligt
11. Help & emergencies — hjælp · læge · apotek · sygehus · jeg forstår ikke
12. Tying it together — hej · tak · hvad koster · capstone

Inside the lessons

Here is how a few of the lessons explain the language, with worked examples and the word-by-word breakdown the course uses.

Greetings & being polite

Key pieces: hej · godmorgen · godaften · tak

The word every Dane uses all the time: hej — hello. It works morning and night, and saying it twice, hej hej , means bye.

• hej (HAY) — hello / hi
• godmorgen (goh-MORN) — good morning
• godaften (goh-AF-ten) — good evening
• godnat (goh-NAT) — good night Memory hook: ≈ English night.

To say “Hello, good morning” in Danish: Hej, godmorgen! (HAY, goh-MORN). Built from hej = hello; godmorgen = good morning.

Say hej hej to say goodbye. The more formal farvel is closer to the English 'farewell'.

To say “Bye! See you” in Danish: Hej hej! (HAY HAY). Built from hej hej = bye.

To ask how someone is: Hvordan går det? A common reply is Det går godt — it's going well.

• Hvordan går det? (vor-DAN gaw deh) — How are you?
• Det går godt (deh gaw goht) — It's going well
• Hvad med dig? (vah meh dai) — How about you?

To say “Hello, how are you?” in Danish: Hej, hvordan går det? (HAY, vor-DAN gaw deh). Built from hej = hello; hvordan går det? = how are you?.

Please & thank you

Key pieces: tak · vær så venlig · undskyld · ja/nej

The single most useful politeness word: tak — thank you. Add mange for 'many thanks': mange tak .

• tak (TAHK) — thank you
• mange tak (MAHNG-eh tahk) — thanks a lot
• ja (yah) — yes
• nej (nay) — no

To say “Thank you very much” in Danish: Mange tak (MAHNG-eh tahk). Built from mange = many / a lot; tak = thanks.

To say please, Danes usually say vær så venlig (literally 'be so kind'), or simply add tak — politeness by thanks.

To say “A coffee, please” in Danish: En kaffe, vær så venlig (en KAH-feh, vair saw VEN-lee). Built from en = a; kaffe = coffee; vær så venlig = please.

For 'sorry' or 'excuse me': undskyld . Handy in a crowd or to get someone's attention.

To say “Excuse me, thank you” in Danish: Undskyld, tak (OON-skyul, tahk). Built from undskyld = excuse me; tak = thanks.

Numbers 1–10

Key pieces: en · to · tre · fire · fem

Numbers come up everywhere. Listen and repeat: en, to, tre .

• en (EN) — 1
• to (TOH) — 2
• tre (TRAY) — 3
• fire (FEE-reh) — 4
• fem (FEM) — 5
• seks (SEKS) — 6
• syv (SIV) — 7
• otte (OT-eh) — 8
• ni (NEE) — 9
• ti (TEE) — 10

To say “Two coffees, please” in Danish: To kaffe, vær så venlig (TOH KAH-feh, vair saw VEN-lee). Built from to = two; kaffe = coffee; vær så venlig = please.

To ask the price: Hvad koster det? — how much does it cost?

To say “How much is it?” in Danish: Hvad koster det? (vah KOS-ter deh). Built from hvad = what; koster = costs; det = it.

To say “It costs five euros” in Danish: Det koster fem euro (deh KOS-ter fem OO-roh). Built from det koster = it costs; fem = five; euro = euros.

I want" — jeg vil & jeg vil gerne

Key pieces: jeg vil · jeg vil gerne have · det

To want something, Danes say jeg vil . But the polite, everyday way to ask is jeg vil gerne have… — I would like to have…

• jeg vil (yigh vil) — I want
• jeg vil gerne have (yigh vil GAIR-neh hah) — I would like to have
• det (deh) — it / that

To say “I would like a coffee” in Danish: Jeg vil gerne have en kaffe (yigh vil GAIR-neh hah en KAH-feh). Built from jeg vil gerne have = I would like; en kaffe = a coffee.

To say “I would like water” in Danish: Jeg vil gerne have vand (yigh vil GAIR-neh hah VAN). Built from jeg vil gerne have = I would like; vand = water.

A bare jeg vil (I want) can sound blunt. When in doubt, use jeg vil gerne have — it's the politest way to order.

To say “I would like that one” in Danish: Jeg vil gerne have den der (yigh vil GAIR-neh hah den dair). Built from jeg vil gerne have = I would like; den der = that one.

Food & drink

Key pieces: vand · brød · kaffe · te · øl

The essentials for any café or shop: vand (water), brød (bread), kaffe (coffee), te (tea).

• vand (VAN) — water Memory hook: ≈ English water.
• brød (BRUTH) — bread Memory hook: ≈ English bread.
• kaffe (KAH-feh) — coffee Memory hook: ≈ English coffee.
• te (TEH) — tea Memory hook: ≈ English tea.
• øl (UHL) — beer Memory hook: ≈ English ale.

To say “Water and bread, please” in Danish: Vand og brød, vær så venlig (VAN oh BRUTH, vair saw VEN-lee). Built from vand = water; og = and; brød = bread; vær så venlig = please.

To say “I would like a coffee and a tea” in Danish: Jeg vil gerne have en kaffe og en te (yigh vil GAIR-neh hah en KAH-feh oh en TEH). Built from jeg vil gerne have = I would like; en kaffe = a coffee; og = and; en te = a tea.

To say it's delicious: Det smager godt — it tastes good. And when you sit down to eat, velbekomme means 'enjoy your meal'.

To say “It tastes delicious, thanks” in Danish: Det smager godt, tak (deh SMAY-er goht, tahk). Built from det = it; smager = tastes; godt = good; tak = thanks.

Getting around

Key pieces: hvor er …? · til højre · til venstre · lige ud

The most useful question in any town: Hvor er…? — where is…?

• Hvor er…? (vor air) — Where is…?
• til højre (til HOY-reh) — to the right
• til venstre (til VEN-struh) — to the left
• lige ud (LEE-eh ooth) — straight ahead
• togstationen (TOH-stah-shoo-nen) — the train station

To say “Where is the train station?” in Danish: Hvor er togstationen? (vor air TOH-stah-shoo-nen). Built from hvor er = where is; togstationen = the train station.

To say “Where is the toilet?” in Danish: Hvor er toilettet? (vor air toh-LEH-tet). Built from hvor er = where is; toilettet = the toilet.

Til højre and til venstre tell you which way to turn. 'Straight ahead' is lige ud .

To say “To the right, then straight ahead” in Danish: Til højre, så lige ud (til HOY-reh, saw LEE-eh ooth). Built from til højre = to the right; så = then; lige ud = straight ahead.

Questions & "can I…?"

Key pieces: hvad · hvor · hvornår · kan jeg …?

The question words: hvad (what), hvor (where), hvornår (when). Note that the hv is just a 'v' sound.

• hvad (vah) — what
• hvem (vem) — who
• hvor (vor) — where
• hvornår (vor-NOR) — when
• hvorfor (vor-FOR) — why

To say “What is that?” in Danish: Hvad er det? (vah er deh). Built from hvad = what; er = is; det = that.

To ask for permission: Kan jeg…? — can I…?

To say “Can I get a coffee?” in Danish: Kan jeg få en kaffe? (kan yigh faw en KAH-feh). Built from kan jeg = can I; få = get; en kaffe = a coffee.

To say “Can I pay by card?” in Danish: Kan jeg betale med kort? (kan yigh beh-TAH-leh meh kort). Built from kan jeg = can I; betale = pay; med kort = by card.

Family & people

Key pieces: familie · mor · far · bror · søster · ven

Family words: familie (family), mor (mother), far (father).

• familie (fah-MEE-lee-eh) — family
• mor (mor) — mother
• far (far) — father
• bror (bror) — brother Memory hook: ≈ English brother.
• søster (SUS-ter) — sister Memory hook: ≈ English sister.
• ven (ven) — friend

To say “I have a brother” in Danish: Jeg har en bror (yigh har en bror). Built from jeg har = I have; en bror = a brother.

Jeg har = I have. Swap the noun to say what you've got.

To say “I have a family” in Danish: Jeg har en familie (yigh har en fah-MEE-lee-eh). Built from jeg har = I have; en familie = a family.

To say “I have a friend” in Danish: Jeg har en ven (yigh har en ven). Built from jeg har = I have; en ven = a friend.

Time, days & weather

Key pieces: i dag · i morgen · hvad er vejret?

Today is i dag , tomorrow is i morgen .

• i dag (ee dai) — today
• i morgen (ee MORN) — tomorrow
• mandag (MAN-dai) — Monday
• fredag (FRAY-dai) — Friday
• søndag (SUN-dai) — Sunday

To say “See you tomorrow” in Danish: Vi ses i morgen (vee sees ee MORN). Built from vi ses = see you; i morgen = tomorrow.

Ask about the weather: Hvad er vejret?

To say “It is raining” in Danish: Det regner (deh RY-ner). Built from det = it; regner = rains.

To say “It is sunny” in Danish: Det er solskin (deh er SOL-skeen). Built from det er = it is; solskin = sunshine.

Your name

Key pieces: jeg hedder · hvad hedder du? · hyggeligt

Introduce yourself: Jeg hedder… — my name is…, and Hyggeligt at møde dig — nice to meet you.

To say “My name is Alex” in Danish: Jeg hedder Alex (yigh HEH-thor Alex). Built from jeg hedder = my name is; Alex = your name.

To ask someone's name: Hvad hedder du?

To say “What is your name?” in Danish: Hvad hedder du? (vah HEH-thor doo). Built from hvad = what; hedder du? = do you go by?.

To say “Nice to meet you” in Danish: Hyggeligt at møde dig (HUHG-eh-leet at MOO-theh dai). Built from hyggeligt = nice / cozy; at møde dig = to meet you.

Help & emergencies

Key pieces: hjælp · læge · apotek · sygehus · jeg forstår ikke

The word to shout if you need help: Hjælp! — help!

• Hjælp! (yelp) — Help!
• lægen (LAY-en) — the doctor (GP)
• apoteket (ah-poh-TEH-ket) — the pharmacy
• sygehuset (SOO-eh-hoo-set) — the hospital
• Jeg forstår ikke (yigh for-STOHR EE-geh) — I don't understand

To say “Help!” in Danish: Hjælp! (yelp). Built from hjælp = help.

To say “I don't understand” in Danish: Jeg forstår ikke (yigh for-STOHR EE-geh). Built from jeg = I; forstår = understand; ikke = not.

To say you need help: Jeg har brug for hjælp . And if you're unwell, Jeg er syg — I am sick.

To say “I need help” in Danish: Jeg har brug for hjælp (yigh har broo for yelp). Built from jeg har brug for = I need; hjælp = help.

Tying it together

Key pieces: hej · tak · hvad koster · capstone

Great — you've built a full toolbox. This capstone reuses only words you've met. Build each line yourself before revealing.

To say “Hello, how are you?” in Danish: Hej, hvordan går det? (HAY, vor-DAN gaw deh). Built from hej = hello; hvordan går det? = how are you?.

To say “I would like a coffee and a bread, please” in Danish: Jeg vil gerne have en kaffe og et brød, vær så venlig (yigh vil GAIR-neh hah en KAH-feh oh et BRUTH, vair saw VEN-lee). Built from jeg vil gerne have = I would like; en kaffe = a coffee; og = and; et brød = a bread; vær så venlig = please.

To say “Where is the train station?” in Danish: Hvor er togstationen? (vor air TOH-stah-shoo-nen). Built from hvor er = where is; togstationen = the train station.

To say “How much is it?” in Danish: Hvad koster det? (vah KOS-ter deh). Built from hvad koster det? = how much is it?.

Culture and etiquette

Hygge is everything

Hygge (pronounced 'hoo-gah') is Denmark's famous cosiness — candles, good company, warmth. It's the reason Danes are often ranked among the happiest people. Lighting a candle is a genuine act of hospitality.

Everyone cycles

In cities like Copenhagen, bikes outnumber people. Cyclists and pedestrians both signal and follow the rules — don't stand in the bike lane. Many trains let you bring a bike on board too.

Smørrebrød — open sandwiches

Smørrebrød is 'buttered bread' — an open sandwich on dark rye, piled with toppings like pickled herring, cold cuts or remoulade. It's a lunch art form, served with care. Order one at any lunch spot.

Danes are direct

Danes say exactly what they mean, and that's not rude. A plain 'ja' or 'nej' is normal. Don't read it as unfriendliness — it's efficient and honest.

Card is king, tipping is small

Denmark is nearly cash-free — every shop takes a card. Tipping is built into the price; rounding up is appreciated but never expected, and staff are paid a proper wage.

The dark winter

Danish winters are dark and long, but Danes face them with candles, warm blankets and a plan. In summer the light barely ends. Adjusting your rhythm to both is itself a kind of hygge.

Example dialogues

At a café

On the bus & train

At a restaurant

Written by the LanguagePath editorial team from our own course material. Pronunciation guides are approximate English respellings; tap any phrase in the app above to hear it. Native-speaker review of every course is ongoing — tell us if you spot an error.