Sometimes we use sproget (the language) as a trylleformular (magical formula). Når nogen nyser (when someone’s sneezing), most Danes will automatically react by saying prosit! [PROSS-it]. In some strange way the little word changes the air, making the sneezer feel better. Below are a handful of other expressions used in order to wish somebody well:

• Skål! [skawl] when you’re drinking beer (remember to se den anden ind i øjnene – look the other person into his eyes).

• Held og lykke! (literally ”luck and luck!”) is the thing to say to your friend who’s going to a challenging interview. You can also add jeg krydser fingrene for dig (I cross the fingers for you) – in that case, you should remember to actually cross your fingers! Who knows, maybe it really bringer held (does bring luck). Læg langfingeren over pegefingeren. (Put your middle finger across your index finger.)

• Pøj pøj! [poy poy] is yet another way of saying ”break a leg”! It is used quite often.

• If somebody’s ill, a nice thing to say is god bedring! (good improvement!). It is the equivalent of saying ”I hope you’ll be better soon”. Depending on the situation, you could perhaps also say jeg håber du snart bliver rask! (I hope you get well soon!) or even op med humøret! (cheer up!, literally ”up with the mood!”).

• There are many ways you can cheer on someone, including kom så! (come on!) and sådan! [saw-DAN] (that’s IT!). Many Danes mix in bits of English when cheering – if their teammate is called Søren, for example, they’ll chant ”go Søren!” (or maybe Danify it by ”gå Søren!”).

• It is not compulsory to wish your guests a good meal in Denmark (like you do when saying bon appétit in English). If you feel like it, though, you could always go for a velbekomme [VELbekom]. (If someone says it to you, remember to reply with tak!)

• When a friend leaves, you can show some extra attention with the words kom godt hjem! [kom got yem] (”may you get well back home”) or god rejse! [goth RISE-eh] (bon voyage!) if she’s going far.

• Many shop assistants like to take leave of their customers with the words hav en god dag! (have a nice day).

• When somebody wishes you well, it’s easy to return the favour: Tak, i lige måde! (Thanks, the same to you!)

God arbejdslyst! (Happy working/studying!)