Learning a foreign language by textbook and audio clips can be a stimulating mental feat. However, once you start using that language in a real-life communicational situation, the fun begins!
Getting to know people in Denmark isn’t always as easy as depicted in language courses. Many Danes seem to be a little reserved, perhaps a bit wary. You never know where you’ve got the weather, after all, so why risk leaving the snug hygge (a special kind of Danish ”cosiness”) of your house? But do not despair: Danes too have a craving for contact, and once the initial ice has been broken, you’ll find that even the quiet roadside farmer or the shy lady at the bus has a captivating life story to swap. (If you’re the impatient kind of person, just go to a party or a bar, drink some beer with the Danes, and you’ll sure hear some Danish!)
Well, assuming the field has been cleared, and you’re now ready for some sentiment exchange, what do you say? Below are some useful phrases to introduce yourself – and getting to know the other person.
Hej Hi!
Jeg hedder John. My name is John.
Hvad hedder du? What is your name?
Hvor kommer du fra? Where do you come from?
Jeg kommer fra USA / England / Australien / Canada. I come from…
Hvor gammel er du? How old are you? (Be careful before asking a female Dane about this!)
Jeg er 80 år gammel. I am 80 years old.
Vil du have en cigaret? Would you like a smoke?
Nej tak, jeg ryger ikke. No, thanks. I don’t smoke.
Hvad laver du i Danmark? What do you do in Denmark?
Jeg er på ferie. I’m on holiday.
Jeg er turist. I’m a tourist.
Hvor bor du? Where do you live?
Jeg bor på hostel i København. I live at a hostel in Copenhagen.
Jeg bor hjemme. I live at home.
Hvad arbejder du med? What do you do for a living?
Jeg læser arkitektur. Jeg er lærer. Jeg er sygeplejerske. Jeg er arbejdsløs. I’m an architecture student. I’m a teacher. I’m a nurse. I’m unemployed.
Har du søskende? Have you got any siblings?
Ja, jeg har en søster og en bror. Yes I’ve got a sister and a brother.
Nej, jeg er enebarn. No, I’m a lone child.
Det var hyggeligt at møde dig! Nice meeting you!
Hej hej! Bye!
Vi ses! See you!
