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".