Basic Words

1. Ja

   Yes

   Usage

   The shortest affirmative reply; use it to confirm anything

2. Nej

   No

   Usage

   The basic negative reply; also works to decline an offer

3. Venligst

   Please

   Usage

   Add it to any request or order; it also stands alone

   Grammar Note

   Danish has no everyday word for "please"; you either add "tak" at the end or say "Vil du være så venlig at..."

4. Tak

   Thank you

   Usage

   Use it everywhere: after paying, after getting directions

   Grammar Note

   Covers both thanks and requests; "Tusind tak" intensifies it

5. Undskyld mig

   Excuse me

   Usage

   The opening word when you need a stranger's attention

   Grammar Note

   Used to get attention or to squeeze past someone

6. Undskyld

   Sorry

   Usage

   An apology after bumping into someone or making a mistake

   Grammar Note

   The standard apology; "Det må du undskylde" is more formal

7. Det er i orden

   It's OK / I'm fine

   Usage

   Reply to an apology, or politely wave off offered help

8. Jeg forstår ikke

   I don't understand

   Usage

   Say it as soon as you lose the thread; people will rephrase

9. Jeg forstår

   I understand

   Usage

   Confirms you followed an explanation

10. Jeg er færdig

    I'm finished / Done

    Usage

    Tell staff you have finished a meal or a procedure

    Grammar Note

    "Færdig" means both "finished" and "ready"

11. Vent venligst

    Please wait

    Usage

    Use it when you need the other person to hold on

12. Et øjeblik

    Just a moment

    Usage

    A shorter, lighter version for a very brief pause

13. En voksen, tak

    One adult, please

    Usage

    Say it at a ticket window or an entrance gate

14. Jeg har ikke en reservation

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    Tell a restaurant or hotel that you are a walk-in

    Grammar Note

    "Ikke" goes straight after the verb

15. Jeg har en reservation

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    Say it first at reception, then give your name

16. Hjælp mig, tak

    Please help me

    Usage

    For trouble or emergencies; a strong call for help

    Grammar Note

    In an emergency, shout "Hjælp!"

17. En gang til, tak

    Once more, please

    Usage

    Ask someone to repeat what you missed

18. Tal langsomt, tak

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    When the speech is too fast; people almost always oblige

19. Jeg taler lidt dansk

    I speak a little

    Usage

    Saying it early makes the other person slow down

    Grammar Note

    Say it early and people will slow down

20. Taler du engelsk?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Your fallback when you get stuck; ask with the polite pronoun

    Grammar Note

    Danish uses "du" even with strangers; the formal "De" is now almost obsolete

21. det her

    This one

    Usage

    Point at an item in front of you — or at your screen — to say "this one" when ordering or buying

    Grammar Note

    Use "den her" for common-gender nouns and "det her" for neuter; when unsure, "det her" is understood

22. det der

    That one

    Usage

    Point at something a little away to say "that one", e.g. an item inside a display case

    Grammar Note

    "Den der" for common gender. Danish has only a two-way near/far system, so it does not separate Japanese "sore" from "are"

23. det derovre

    That one over there

    Usage

    Point at something further off; use it together with an actual pointing gesture

    Grammar Note

    "Der" (there) + "ovre" (over) adds distance; "den derovre" for common-gender nouns

24. her

    Here

    Usage

    Marks where you are — point at a spot on a map, or combine it as in "Stop her"

    Grammar Note

    An adverb of place; "to here" is "herhen"

25. der

    There

    Usage

    Marks a spot a little away; use it when pointing at a place on a map or photo

    Grammar Note

    An adverb of place; the same spelling also serves as a relative pronoun and as the dummy subject in "Der er...", but on its own it points at a location

26. derovre

    Over there

    Usage

    Marks a distant place; combine it with a pointing gesture

    Grammar Note

    An adverb formed from "der" + "ovre" to add distance

27. jeg

    I

    Usage

    Point at yourself to make clear who is meant

    Grammar Note

    Subject form; the object form is "mig" and possessives are "min / mit / mine". Unlike English "I", it is always lowercase

28. du

    You

    Usage

    Point at the other person; Danes use "du" even with strangers, and it is not rude

    Grammar Note

    Singular subject form; the object form is "dig". Plural "you" is capitalised "I", and the formal "De" is nearly obsolete

29. sammen

    Together

    Usage

    Shows that you are with someone, or want to sit or stay together; for one shared bill, "Samlet regning"

    Grammar Note

    An adverb; "together with someone" is "sammen med" + person

30. med det samme

    Right away

    Usage

    Signals urgency — show it when you cannot wait, e.g. a medical problem or a connection to catch

    Grammar Note

    An adverbial phrase; "straks" means the same

31. en person

    One person

    Usage

    States the size of your party: "Et bord til én person" asks for a table for one

    Grammar Note

    "Person" is common gender; when stressing the numeral, Danish writes "én" with an accent to distinguish it from the article "en"

32. to personer

    Two people

    Usage

    States a party of two: "Et bord til to, tak"

    Grammar Note

    The plural adds "-er" to "person"; no article follows a numeral

33. tre personer

    Three people

    Usage

    States a party of three: "Et bord til tre, tak"

    Grammar Note

    Use "personer" when counting people; to break it down, "to voksne og et barn" (two adults and one child)

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