Here are some basic Danish phrases which you can use in everyday conversation, as well as some common words you will see on signs.
| Tak | Thanks (can also have the sense of "please" when used at the end of a request) |
| Mange tak | Thanks very much |
The following are some polite ways you can reply to someone who thanks you:
| Selv tak or Værsgo | You're welcome |
| Det var så lidt | Don't mention it (literally: that was so little) |
| Slet ikke | Not at all |
Saying hello and goodbye
Here are some different ways to greet people:
| Hej or Hejsa | Hi (informal) |
| Goddag | Hello (literally: "good day"; can be used any time from morning until around 5pm) |
| Godmorgen | Good morning (used until around 10am) |
| God eftermiddag | Good afternoon (used from noon until around 5pm) |
| Godaften | Good evening (used from around 5pm) |
The following expressions, on the other hand, are some different things you can say when saying goodbye:
| Hej hej | Bye (informal) |
| Farvel | Goodbye |
| Take care! |
| Godnat | Goodnight |
| Vi ses! | See you! |
| Vi ses snart! | See you soon! |
| Vi ses senere! | See you later! |
| Hav en god dag! | Have a nice day! |
| Hav en god weekend! | Have a good weekend! |
Getting someone's attention and apologising
| Undskyld mig | Excuse me (can be used to get someone's attention, to get past someone, or to apologise) |
| Undskyld | Sorry |
If someone apologises to you, you can reply using one of the following expressions:
| Ikke noget problem | No problem |
| Det er ok | It's OK |
| Det skal du ikke tænke på | Don't worry about it |
Making yourself understood
| Taler du dansk? | Do you speak Danish? |
| Jeg taler ikke dansk | I don't speak Danish |
| Jeg taler ikke meget dansk | I don't speak much Danish |
| Jeg taler lidt dansk | I speak a little Danish |
| Jeg taler kun meget lidt dansk | I only speak very little Danish |
| Vær venlig at tale langsommere | Please speak more slowly |
| Vær venlig at skrive det ned | Please write it down |
| Kunne du gentage det? | Could you please repeat that? |
| Jeg forstår | I understand |
| Jeg forstår ikke | I don't understand |
Other basic phrases
| Det ved jeg | I know |
| Det ved jeg ikke | I don't know |
| Undskyld mig, hvor er toilettet? | Excuse me, where's the toilet? |
Things you might see
| Indgang | Entrance |
| Udgang | Exit |
| Nødudgang | Emergency exit |
| Toiletter | Toilets |
| WC | WC |
| Herrer | Gentlemen |
| Damer | Ladies |
| Fri | Vacant |
| Optaget | Occupied |
| I stykker | Out of order |
| Rygning forbudt | No smoking |
| Privat | Private |
| Ingen adgang | No entry |
