While most Danes do have some English understanding, and the majority have a very good understanding. It is always polite to have a few words in Danish in order to communicate. Anyone who has visited a foreign language country knows the uncomfortable feeling of not knowing how to say sorry to somebody because you bumped into them. Or the multitude of other situations where knowing a little bit of the language would be helpful. Knowing a handful of Danish words can also help you translate some of the Danish signs and text you will encounter while you are in Denmark. Any attempt a foreigner makes at speaking Danish will be greatly appreciated.

Her are a few helpful words and phrases in order to get you started:

English	Danish	Pronounciation

Hello	Goddag/Hej	Go-day/Hi
Goodbye	Farvel	Fah-vel
Yes	Ja	Ya
No	Nej	Nai
Thank you	Tak	Tack
Excuse me	Undskyld	Un-school
Sorry	Beklager	Bi-clay-er
You're welcome	Selv tak	Sell tack
Do you speak English?	Taler du engelsk?	Tai-ler do eng-gelsk?
I don't speak Danish.	Jeg taler ikke dansk.	Yai tai-ler igge dansk.
How much is it?	Hvor meget koster det?	Vor my-et kaw-sta day?
I'm just looking. (Useful when shopping)	Jeg kikker bare.	Yai kee-gah bah
Unleaded petrol	Blifri benzin	Blee-free ben-seen
Diesel	Diesel	Dee-sel
Where is...	Hvor er...	Vor air...
I'm ill	Jeg er syg.	Yai air sue.
I'm allergic to...	Jeg er allergisk over for...	Yai air a-ler-geesk ower for...
It hurts here.	Det gør ondt her.	Day ger ond hair.
What's your name?	Hvad hedder du?	Ved hell-er do?
My name is...	Mit navn er...	Meet now-n air..
Where are you from?	Hvor kommer du fra?	Vor kom-ah do fra?
I'm from...	Jeg er fra...	Jai air fra..
Entrance	Indgang	In-gang
Exit	Udgang	Ool-gang
Open	Åben	Oben
Closed	Lukket	Lou-ket
Prohibited	Forbudt	For-boot
Police	Politi	Po-lee-tee
Hospital	Hospitalet/Syghus	Haws-pee-tai-let/Sue-who-s
Post Office	Posthus	Post-who
City Centre	Centrum	Cen-trum
What time is it?	Hvad er klokken?	Ved air claw-gen
Toilet (Mens)	Toilet (Herrer)	Toy-let (Hair-ah)
Toilet (Womens)	Toilet (Damer)	Toy-let (Day-mah)

Learn More about Denmark
So You Want to Learn Danish
The Danish Alphabet
Viking Food and Dining
Kronborg Castle
20 Largest Cities in Denmark
Business Etiquette in Denmark