How to make small talk in Danish
Danish small talk runs on a handful of topics — learn those, and you can join in almost anywhere.
The same few exchanges come up with neighbours, colleagues and your partner's family alike: how are you, the weather, what you do, the weekend. Practise each one, then pick up the phrases and what Danes expect.
How are you in Danish — and what to answer
Hvordan går det? is the everyday “how are you”: answer det går godt, tak, ask back, and the conversation moves on — in this one, to making plans.
| Danish | English | When |
|---|---|---|
| Hvordan går det? | How are you? / How's it going? | The everyday version |
| Det går godt, tak. Og dig? | Fine, thanks. And you? | The usual answer |
| Hvordan har du det? | How are you doing? | A bit more personal |
| Ikke så godt, faktisk. | Not so good, actually. | When it's true — that's fine too |
Talking about the weather in Danish
The safest opener there is — with a colleague in the morning, a neighbour on the stairs, or now and then someone at the bus stop. Sikke et vejr!
| Danish | English | When |
|---|---|---|
| Sikke et vejr! | Some weather we're having! | Works for good weather and bad |
| Det regner igen. | It's raining again. | On a grey day |
| Det er koldt i dag, ikke? | It's cold today, isn't it? | Inviting agreement |
| Sikke dejligt vejr i dag! | Lovely weather today! | On a sunny day |
Where you're from and what you do, in Danish
With a new neighbour on the stairs, at a party or at work: who you are, where you're from and what you do.
| Danish | English | When |
|---|---|---|
| Hej, jeg er lige flyttet ind. | Hi, I've just moved in. | Meeting a neighbour |
| Hvor kommer du fra? | Where are you from? | What they'll often ask you |
| Hvad arbejder du med? | What do you do for work? | Asking about work |
| Hvor længe har du boet her? | How long have you lived here? | Getting to know a neighbour |
| Vi ses! | See you! | Leaving it friendly |
Talking about hobbies in Danish
Hvad laver du i din fritid? — what do you do in your free time? — is how a lot of small talk turns into a real conversation.
| Danish | English | When |
|---|---|---|
| Hvad laver du i din fritid? | What do you do in your free time? | Asking about hobbies |
| Har du nogen hobbyer? | Do you have any hobbies? | A simpler way in |
| Jeg kan godt lide at læse. | I like reading. | Answering |
| Hvor længe har du gjort det? | How long have you been doing that? | Keeping it going |
Weekend small talk in Danish
On Fridays it's hvad skal du lave i weekenden?, on Mondays hvad lavede du i weekenden? — the most predictable small talk of the week.
| Danish | English | When |
|---|---|---|
| Hvad skal du lave i weekenden? | What are you doing at the weekend? | On a Friday |
| Hvad lavede du i weekenden? | What did you do at the weekend? | On a Monday |
| Ikke noget særligt, jeg skal bare slappe af. | Nothing special, I'm just going to relax. | Answering on a Friday |
| Ikke noget særligt, jeg slappede bare af. | Nothing special, I just relaxed. | Answering on a Monday |
| God weekend! | Have a good weekend! | Leaving on a Friday |
How to keep a conversation going in Danish
Small talk stalls when one side only answers. A few words for asking back and reacting keep it alive.
| Danish | English | When |
|---|---|---|
| Hvad med dig? | What about you? | Asking back |
| Nå, virkelig? | Oh, really? | Showing you want to hear more |
| Hvor spændende! | How interesting! | Reacting |
| Ja, ikke? | Right? | Agreeing |
| Det var hyggeligt at snakke med dig. | It was nice talking to you. | Ending it |
Keep going
Essential Danish phrases
The phrases that come up in almost every conversation.
How to ask questions
Word order for the questions that keep small talk going.
Greetings and phrases
The word list, with audio.
Friends and family
Dinners, birthdays and Christmas — small talk with your partner's family.
Danish at work
Lunch, fredagsbar and meetings with colleagues.
Frequently asked questions
What do Danes make small talk about?
Mostly the same few things: how you are, the weather, what you do, your free time and the weekend. Learn the phrases for those and you can join most small talk.
Is small talk short in Denmark?
Often, yes. Answers like “det går godt, tak” are complete, and pauses are normal. What keeps it going is asking back.
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.