We can’t be talking about grammar and pronunciation all the time – let’s get down to the essential stuff: følelser (feelings, say ’FURLsor’).

If someone makes you smile or even laugh, you may describe your mood by the words

Jeg er glad! [yaah glath] I’m happy!

If you’re happy at a more profound level – like you’re happy with your life – you may say

Jeg er lykkelig. [yaah LURK-eh-lee] I’m happy/fortunate. (It’s the same word as English ’lucky’!)

If someone makes you feel angry and sad, on the other hand, the best words to use may be

Jeg er sur (på dig). [yaah soor paw dy] I’m cross (with you).

If it’s even worse – you want to pick the nearest bottle and throw it at your conversational partner – say

Jeg er vred (på dig). [yaah vreth paw dy] I’m angry (with you).
Jeg er rasende (på dig). [yaah RAHsneh paw dy] I’m furious (with you).

(But don’t throw that bottle!)

But hey! The other person is cowering! Did you give him too much skældud [skelOOTH] (scolding)?

Hvordan har du det? [VOdan har doo deh] How are you?
Er du bange? [ah doo BANG] Are you afraid?
Er du ked af det? [ah doo KETH ah deh] Are you sad?

Perhaps he’s just ligeglad [LEEHglath] (indifferent). Or jaloux [shalOO] (jealous). Or nervøs [nare-VURS] (nervous). Or hemmeligt forelsket [HEMleet forELSketh] (secretly in love). Or maybe he keder sig [KETHor sy] (bores himself, is bored).

Anyway, it might be a good idea not to exclaim strong declarations like

Jeg elsker dig! [yah ELSkor dy] I love you

or

Jeg hader dig! [yah HATHor dy] I hate you

He might just end up feeling forvirret [forVEEoth] (confused) or ulykkelig [ooLURK-eh-lee] (sad, brokenhearted). I’d take a chance on

Skal vi snakke om det? [skal vee SNARK-eh om deh] Wanna talk about it?