Everyday Spoken Danish
The Danish people actually say every day — greetings, reactions and small talk, with the spoken shortcuts textbooks skip.
- 1
Hej!
Hi!
Tip: Casual hello for anyone, any time of day.
- 2
Hvordan går det?
How's it going?
Tip: Friendly opener after hello; expect a short answer.
- 3
Godt, tak – hvad med dig?
Good, thanks — and you?
Tip: Standard reply that bounces the question back.
- 4
Tusind tak!
Thanks a lot!
Tip: Warm thanks for help, a favour or a gift.
- 5
Selv tak!
You're welcome!
Tip: Reply when someone thanks you.
- 6
Undskyld!
Sorry!
Tip: To apologise, or to get past someone in a crowd.
- 7
Det gør ikke noget!
No worries! (reply to sorry)
Tip: Reassure someone who just apologised.
- 8
Hvad sagde du?
Sorry, what did you say?
Tip: When you didn't catch what someone said.
- 9
Kan du tale lidt langsommere?
Could you speak a bit slower?
Tip: Ask natives to slow down — they'll happily do it.
- 10
Det forstår jeg ikke.
I don't understand.
Tip: Say it honestly; people will rephrase.
- 11
Kan du lige hjælpe mig?
Could you help me for a sec?
Tip: Polite way to ask a stranger for a quick hand.
- 12
Seriøst?!
Really?!
Tip: Surprised reaction to news or gossip.
- 13
Fedt!
Great! / Awesome!
Tip: Enthusiastic reaction to good news or a plan.
- 14
Det lyder godt!
Alright, sounds good!
Tip: Agree to a plan or confirm you understood.
- 15
En kaffe, tak.
A coffee, please.
Tip: In Danish, 'tak' (thanks) does the job of 'please' when ordering.
- 16
Hvad koster det?
How much is it?
Tip: Ask the price in a shop or at a market.
- 17
Kan jeg betale med kort?
Can I pay by card?
Tip: Ask at the till before you pay.
- 18
Nej tak.
No, thanks.
Tip: Politely decline an offer.
- 19
Hej hej!
Bye!
Tip: Doubling 'hej' turns hello into goodbye.
- 20
Vi ses!
See you later!
Tip: Goodbye when you expect to meet again soon.