Adjectives

1. stor

   Big

   Usage

   For stating size, e.g. clothes or rooms

   Grammar Note

   Neuter "stort", definite and plural "store"

2. lille

   Small

   Usage

   The opposite of big; use it to ask for another size

   Grammar Note

   The plural is the suppletive form "små"

3. tung

   Heavy

   Usage

   Describe a heavy bag, often before asking for help

   Grammar Note

   Neuter "tungt", plural "tunge"

4. let

   Light (weight)

   Usage

   Light in weight — a different word from "bright"

   Grammar Note

   Means both "light in weight" and "easy"; light in colour is "lys"

5. dyr

   Expensive

   Usage

   Opens a price negotiation

   Grammar Note

   Neuter "dyrt"; the identical noun "dyr" means "animal"

6. billig

   Cheap

   Usage

   Use it when hunting for a cheaper option

   Grammar Note

   Neuter "billigt", plural "billige"

7. varm

   Hot

   Usage

   Hot to the touch — distinct from hot weather

   Grammar Note

   Hot to the touch; "hed" is used for scorching heat

8. kold

   Cold

   Usage

   Cold to the touch — distinct from cold weather

   Grammar Note

   Cold to the touch; neuter "koldt"

9. ny

   New

   Usage

   For asking for a new item or a different room

   Grammar Note

   Neuter "nyt", plural "nye"

10. gammel

    Old (thing)

    Usage

    Old as in an object — not used for people here

    Grammar Note

    Old as in an object; definite and plural "gamle"

11. ung

    Young

    Usage

    For talking about a person's age

    Grammar Note

    Neuter "ungt", plural "unge"

12. ældre

    Old (person)

    Usage

    The word used for people; keep it apart from "old thing"

    Grammar Note

    Literally the comparative of "gammel", but the established polite word for an elderly person

13. ren

    Clean

    Usage

    For the cleanliness of a room or of water

    Grammar Note

    "Clean" only; beautiful is "smuk"

14. beskidt

    Dirty

    Usage

    For complaints, e.g. asking to change rooms

    Grammar Note

    "Snavset" is an equally common synonym

15. god

    Good

    Usage

    The most general word for a positive judgement

    Grammar Note

    Neuter "godt", plural "gode"

16. dårlig

    Bad

    Usage

    For reporting something faulty or unwell

    Grammar Note

    Neuter "dårligt", plural "dårlige"

17. tæt på

    Near

    Usage

    Comes up constantly as an answer about distance

    Grammar Note

    "Er det tæt på?" is the standard question; plain "nær" is more literary

18. langt væk

    Far

    Usage

    Check it to decide between walking and taking transport

    Grammar Note

    "Er det langt væk?" is the traveller's standard question

19. tidlig

    Early

    Usage

    Early in time — this entry is about the clock, not speed

    Grammar Note

    Early in time; fast in speed is "hurtig"

20. sen

    Late

    Usage

    Late in time; also used to report a delay

    Grammar Note

    Late in time; slow in speed is "langsom"

21. mange

    Many

    Usage

    A large quantity; handy for adjusting an order

    Grammar Note

    For countables; use "meget" for amounts

22. få

    Few

    Usage

    A small quantity; use it to ask for less

    Grammar Note

    For countables; use "lidt" for amounts

23. Det er varmt

    Hot (weather)

    Usage

    Hot weather; many languages use a different word than for hot objects

    Grammar Note

    Weather uses the dummy subject "det" and the neuter form "varmt"

24. Det er koldt

    Cold (weather)

    Usage

    Cold weather; many languages use a different word than for cold objects

    Grammar Note

    Weather uses the dummy subject "det" and the neuter form "koldt"

25. Sød

    Cute

    Usage

    A versatile compliment for people, objects, or animals

26. Sej

    Cool

    Usage

    Mainly for complimenting the look of a person or object

27. Lækker

    Delicious

    Usage

    The most common compliment to give at the table

28. Fantastisk

    Amazing

    Usage

    Expresses surprise or admiration

29. Sjov

    Fun

    Usage

    Used to react to an experience itself

30. mere

    More

    Usage

    Point at this to ask for more of something: "Mere vand, tak"

    Grammar Note

    Use "mere" with uncountables and "flere" with countables: "mere vand" but "flere stole"

31. kun lidt

    Just a little

    Usage

    Point at this to ask for a small amount — a small portion, or go easy on a seasoning

    Grammar Note

    "Kun" (only) + "lidt" (a little); "lidt" goes with uncountables, while countables take "få"

32. halvdelen

    Half

    Usage

    Point at this to ask for half as much: "Kun halvdelen, tak"

    Grammar Note

    The definite form of "halvdel"; before a noun use the adjective instead, as in "en halv portion"

33. alt

    Everything

    Usage

    Point at this to mean the whole lot: "Jeg tager alt"

    Grammar Note

    "Alt" covers uncountables and abstractions; for countable items use "alle", as in "alle billetterne"

34. Det er nok

    That is enough

    Usage

    Show this to stop someone pouring or serving more: "Tak, det er nok"

    Grammar Note

    "Nok" means enough; as an adverb the same word means "probably" ("Han kommer nok"), but in a serving situation "Det er nok" is unambiguous

Browse all TravelPhrases languages