With Love From Denmark.. God rejse! Glædelig jul og godt nytår, a photo by firoze shakir photographerno1 on Flickr.
Every man’s life is a fairytale written by God’s fingers.
-Hans Christian Anderson
Denmark is a country in Scandinavia (northern Europe). It has a long history ranging back to the Vikings who sailed and conquered places around the world. They are now a constitutional monarchy and have “the most equal social system, and the most competitive”. They might be best known for their invention of Legos, nowhere else can you find such large Legos as at the Lego land in Denmark (one of the most popular tourist destinations). When traveling in Denmark, it may be useful to know how to say a few Danish phrases because it is the official language of the country. However, you will probably be able to get by with speaking English in most areas.
In order to get in the country, you will probably need a Visa of some sort. You will most likely enter the country through one of the airports, the main one being the largest in Scandinavia, the Copenhagen Airport. When traveling inside of Denmark, you will probably be using the train or bus system. They are very reliable and will get you where you need to go. In order to pay for your visit, you will need to exchange your money for the official currency of Denmark, the Danish krone. It is the most widely used form of payment, but occasionally in very popular tourist resorts, you can pay with Euros. In this country, you should note that tips are automatically put into the check or fare and you are not required to tip at all, but a nice tip for excellent service is always appreciated.
A collection of useful phrases in Danish. Click on the English phrases to see them in many other languages.
Key to abbreviations: inf = informal, frm = formal.
English dansk (Danish)
Welcome Velkommen
Hello Hej / Hallo (on phone)
How are you?
I'm fine, thanks. And you? Hvordan har du det? (inf) Hvordan har De det? (frm)
Fint, tak. Hvad med dig?
What's your name?
My name is ... Hvad hedder du?
Jeg hedder ...
Where are you from?
I'm from ... Hvor er du fra? Hvor kommer du fra?
Jeg er fra ... / Jeg kommer fra ...
Pleased to meet you Rart at møde dig
Good morning God morgen
Good afternoon God aftermiddag
Good evening God aften
Good night God nat
Goodbye Farvel
Good luck Held og lykke!
Cheers/Good health! Skål!
Bunden i vejret eller resten i håret! (bottoms up or the rest in your hair) - only used with friends when very drunk
Have a nice day Fortsat god dag
Bon appetit
(Have a good meal) Velbekomme!
Bon voyage
(Have a good journey) God rejse!
I don't understand Det forstår jeg ikke
Please speak more slowly Vil du tale lidt langsommere?
Please write it down Kan du skrive det ned, tak?
Do you speak Danish?
Yes, a little Taler du dansk? (inf)
Ja, en smule / Ja, lidt
How do you say ...
in Danish? Hvordan siger du ... på dansk?
Excuse me Undskyld mig!
How much is this? Hvad koster det? Hvor meget koster det?
Sorry Undskyld!
Thank you
Response Tak / Mange tak
Tusind tak (thousand thanks) Tak for ... (thanks for ...)
Det var så lidt / Ingen årsag
Where's the toilet? Hvor er toilettet?
This gentleman/lady
will pay for everything Denne herre betaler (for alt) - gentleman
Denne dame betaler (for alt) - lady
Would you like to
dance with me? Vil du danse med mig?
I love you Jeg elsker dig
Get well soon God bedring
Leave me alone! Lad mig være i fred!
Call the police! Ring efter politiet!
Merry Christmas
and Happy New Year Glædelig jul og godt nytår
Happy Easter God påske
Happy Birthday Tillykke med fødselsdagen
One language is never enough Ét sprog er aldrig nok
My hovercraft
is full of eels Mit luftpudefartøj er fyldt med ål
Min luftpudebåd er fyldt med ål
