How to talk to friends and family in Danish
When everyone at the table switches to Danish, it's easy to smile, nod and get left out.
From the first visit to Christmas Eve: the moments with your partner's family and friends, each with a conversation to practise — you hear what they say and choose what to say back — and the phrases and customs that go with it.
Greetings and introductions in Danish
How to say hello and introduce yourself in Danish — hej, hvordan går det?, rart at møde dig — practised on the first visit to your partner's family.
| Danish | English | When |
|---|---|---|
| Hej! Hvordan går det? | Hi! How are you? | Greeting anyone you know |
| Det går godt, tak. Hvad med dig? | Fine, thanks. And you? | The usual answer |
| Rart at møde dig. | Nice to meet you. | Meeting someone new |
| Jeg lærer dansk, så tal bare dansk med mig. | I'm learning Danish, so just speak Danish to me. | Before anyone switches to English |
Danish phrases at the dinner table
Skål (cheers), complimenting the food, and the words every Danish host waits for at the end: tak for mad — thanks for the meal — answered with velbekomme.
| Danish | English | When |
|---|---|---|
| Tak for invitationen. | Thanks for the invitation. | At the door |
| Skal jeg tage skoene af? | Should I take my shoes off? | Entering a home |
| Skål! | Cheers! | Raising a glass |
| Det smager rigtig godt. | It tastes really good. | Complimenting the food |
| Må jeg få kartoflerne? | Could I have the potatoes? | Asking for a dish |
| Tak for mad. | Thanks for the meal. | When the meal ends |
| Velbekomme. | You're welcome. | The host's reply to “tak for mad” |
| Tak for i aften. | Thanks for this evening. | Saying goodbye |
Happy birthday in Danish
Tillykke med fødselsdagen! — happy birthday — plus the present, the flags on the table and the birthday song.
| Danish | English | When |
|---|---|---|
| Tillykke med fødselsdagen! | Happy birthday! | Birthdays |
| Hvor gammel bliver du? | How old are you turning? | Birthday small talk |
| Her er en lille gave til dig. | Here's a little present for you. | Handing over the present |
| Det skulle du da ikke have gjort! | You shouldn't have! | What you'll hear when you hand it over |
Merry Christmas in Danish
Glædelig jul or god jul — merry Christmas — and godt nytår for the new year. Then Christmas Eve itself: duck or flæskesteg, risalamande with a hidden almond, and dancing around the tree.
| Danish | English | When |
|---|---|---|
| Glædelig jul! | Merry Christmas! | December |
| God jul! | Merry Christmas! | Just as common, a bit more casual |
| Tusind tak for gaven. | Thank you so much for the present. | Opening presents |
| Godt nytår! | Happy New Year! | New Year |
Talking with your partner's kids in Danish
Children ask what adults won't — hvorfor taler du så sjovt? — and they're often the first to make you laugh at your own Danish.
| Danish | English | When |
|---|---|---|
| Hvor gammel er du? | How old are you? | The first thing to ask |
| Hvilken klasse går du i? | What year are you in at school? | Asking a school-age child |
| Har du nogen dyr? | Do you have any pets? | An easy topic |
| Skal vi spille et spil? | Shall we play a game? | When talking runs out |
| Kan du lære mig det? | Can you teach me? | Letting them be the expert |
When it's too fast — or Danes switch to English
They switch to English for your sake, or talk too fast on the phone. How to ask them to slow down — and to stay in Danish.
| Danish | English | When |
|---|---|---|
| Kan du sige det igen? | Can you say that again? | When you didn't catch it |
| Du må gerne tale lidt langsommere. | Could you speak a bit more slowly? | When it's too fast |
| Jeg vil gerne øve mig på dansk. | I'd like to practise my Danish. | When they switch to English |
More conversations with friends and family
- Introducing yourself at a partyEasy · 3 min
- Finding a time to meet a friendMedium · 4 min
- Talking about your hobbiesMedium · 4 min
- Telling a friend about a family visitMedium · 4 min
- A friend's wedding plansMedium · 4 min
- Planning a night outMedium · 4 min
- Planning a weekend at the summer houseMedium · 4 min
- A day at the zoo with a friendMedium · 3 min
- Deciding what to have for dinnerMedium · 4 min
- A friend visits after an accidentMedium · 4 min
Keep going
Family words
Mor, svigerfar, søskende and the rest.
Food and drink words
For everything on the table.
Possessives
Min mor, din far, vores børn — and when it's sin, not hans.
Modal verbs
Jeg vil gerne have…, må jeg…, skal jeg…?
Danish small talk
How are you, the weather, hobbies, the weekend — the same with family as anywhere.
Danskprøve A2
The A2 test for family-reunified residents: everyday listening and speaking.
Frequently asked questions
How do the conversations work?
You hear what the other person says and choose what to say back. Different answers take the conversation in different directions, and every line has an English translation.
I'm a complete beginner. Where do I start?
With “Meeting your partner's family” and the phrases next to it: short, predictable moments you can get right from day one.
My partner's family always switches to English. What can I do?
Tell them you'd like to practise, and start with the short, predictable moments — greetings, thanking for the meal, saying goodbye. Once those happen in Danish, the rest of the conversation often stays there.