Feelings

1. Jeg er glad

   I'm glad

   Usage

   The everyday way to express gladness. It takes "for": "jeg er glad for det". Careful — Norwegian uses "glad i" for a different meaning

2. Jeg er lykkelig

   I'm happy

   Usage

   Deeper and more lasting than "glad". Denmark's perennial top ranking in world happiness surveys makes it an easy conversation opener

3. Hvor sjovt!

   How fun!

   Usage

   The standard reaction to news or an invitation. "Hvor" is not only "where" but also the exclamatory "how". Safe with anyone

4. Jeg glæder mig

   I'm looking forward to it

   Usage

   A reflexive — literally "I gladden myself". Extremely common as a reply to any plan, with "til" marking what you await: "jeg glæder mig til i morgen"

5. Jeg er stolt

   I'm proud

   Usage

   "Jeg er stolt af dig" — I'm proud of you — takes the preposition "af". Danes are sparing about praising themselves, a legacy of the Janteloven mindset

6. Sikke en lettelse

   What a relief

   Usage

   "Sikke" is the characteristically Danish exclamation "what a". For the moment a worry resolves — your lost bag turns up, the test comes back clear

7. Jeg elsker dig

   I love you

   Usage

   Strong, for a partner or family, and not said lightly. For a friend, "jeg kan godt lide dig" is the right level

8. Jeg kan lide det

   I like it

   Usage

   Danish expresses liking with the fixed modal phrase "kunne lide", built quite unlike Swedish "gilla" or Norwegian "like". Add "godt" to strengthen it: "jeg kan godt lide det"

9. Jeg savner dig

   I miss you

   Usage

   For someone close. It works for places and things too: "jeg savner Danmark" — I miss Denmark

10. Jeg er ked af det

    I'm sad

    Usage

    This fixed phrase is how Danish says sad, and "det er jeg ked af" doubles as a common apology. It does the same job as Norwegian "lei meg" but from an unrelated word

11. Hvor ærgerligt

    What a shame

    Usage

    The response to a cancelled plan or bad news — a very Danish word, sympathetic, and safe with anyone

12. Jeg er skuffet

    I'm disappointed

    Usage

    Strong enough for a complaint but quieter than anger — and in Denmark that lands better than raising your voice

13. Jeg føler mig ensom

    I feel lonely

    Usage

    "Føle sig" is the reflexive "to feel". The long dark winter is a common subject when this comes up

14. Jeg er vred

    I'm angry

    Usage

    Direct and strong; for milder irritation Danes say "sur". It is a different word from Norwegian "sint" and Swedish "arg"

15. Jeg er irriteret

    I'm annoyed

    Usage

    Milder than "vred". Add "over" for the cause: "irriteret over det"

16. Jeg er bange

    I'm scared

    Usage

    Name what frightens you with "for": "bange for hunde" — afraid of dogs. An entirely different word from Swedish "rädd" and Norwegian "redd"

17. Jeg blev overrasket

    I was surprised

    Usage

    Works for good and bad surprises alike. "Hvor overraskende!" is the exclamation form

18. Jeg er bekymret

    I'm worried

    Usage

    Takes "for" for the object of the worry: "jeg er bekymret for min bagage" works at an airport

19. Jeg er stresset

    I'm stressed

    Usage

    Also the way to say you are in a hurry — a tight connection, for instance

20. Jeg skammer mig

    I'm ashamed

    Usage

    Real shame at your own mistake — for mere embarrassment use "flov"

21. Jeg bliver flov

    I get embarrassed

    Usage

    The blush when someone compliments you — much lighter than "skamme sig" and said with a smile

22. Jeg keder mig

    I'm bored

    Usage

    The reflexive verb "kede sig". If a thing is boring, use "kedelig": "filmen var kedelig"

23. Jeg er træt

    I'm tired

    Usage

    Covers both tiredness and sleepiness. Careful with the preposition — "træt af noget" means fed up with something

24. Jeg er søvnig

    I'm sleepy

    Usage

    Sleepiness specifically — handy when Denmark's long summer days and short winter ones have wrecked your body clock

25. Jeg har det godt

    I'm doing well

    Usage

    The standard answer to "hvordan har du det?". Its negative, "jeg har det ikke godt" in the Health & Hospital category, is what you say at a clinic

26. Jeg er nervøs

    I'm nervous

    Usage

    Before an interview or a presentation — and saying it at the dentist or a clinic will get you a gentler pace

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