Travelling to Denmark? Start with hej (hello), tak (thank you), undskyld (excuse me), hvor er…? (where is…?) and hvad koster det? (how much does it cost?). Learn cykelsti (cycle path), udgang (exit), indgang (entrance) and forsinket (delayed) to make everyday travel easier in Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense and other destinations.
English is widely understood in many Danish visitor settings, but simple Danish greetings and sign vocabulary are useful. Cycling is part of everyday urban life, and the words on a sign may tell you whether a space belongs to pedestrians, cyclists or vehicles. This guide focuses on practical vocabulary rather than a long dictionary list.
Quick read: Greet with hej, thank someone with tak, and use undskyld before asking a stranger a question. Stay clear of marked cycle lanes, check live train information, and confirm the payment methods accepted by a particular business. Denmark uses the Danish krone, not the euro.
20 useful Danish travel words and phrases
| Danish | Meaning | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Hej | Hello | Friendly greeting |
| Godmorgen | Good morning | Morning greeting |
| God aften | Good evening | Evening greeting |
| Farvel | Goodbye | Farewell |
| Tak | Thank you | Thank someone |
| Mange tak | Thank you very much | Emphatic thanks |
| Vær så venlig | Please | Polite request |
| Undskyld | Excuse me / sorry | Approach or apologise |
| Ja / Nej | Yes / no | Confirm or decline |
| Hvor er…? | Where is…? | Ask for a place |
| Hvad koster det? | How much does it cost? | Ask a price |
| Jeg forstår ikke | I don’t understand | Clarify confusion |
| Taler du engelsk? | Do you speak English? | Ask whether English is possible |
| Toilet | Toilet | Find facilities |
| Indgang / Udgang | Entrance / exit | Read signs |
| Cykelsti | Cycle path | Recognise cycling infrastructure |
| Togstation | Railway station | Find train services |
| Forsinket | Delayed | Transport notice |
| Billet | Ticket | Transport and admission |
| Hjælp! | Help! | Request urgent help |
The Danish greeting: hej and tak
Hej is a common everyday hello. Tak means thank you, and mange tak gives a stronger thank-you. Undskyld is useful when approaching someone or apologising. These short phrases are easy to remember and help make a request feel courteous.
Many Danes speak English, particularly in Copenhagen and other visitor centres. You can ask taler du engelsk? rather than assuming. If the person prefers Danish or another language, listen and adapt. The goal is a shared understanding, not performing a perfect accent.
Cycling in Denmark: cykelsti is for bicycles
A cykelsti is a cycle path. In Copenhagen and other Danish cities, cycle lanes are an important part of street design and everyday transport. Visitors walking along a pavement should not step into a cycle lane without checking. Look in both directions before crossing, even when traffic appears quiet.
If you rent a bicycle, learn the local signals and rules, use lights as required and park only in permitted areas. Do not stop in the cycle lane to read a map or take a photo. A cyclist approaching at speed may not expect a pedestrian to step sideways into the lane.
- Use the pedestrian pavement when walking.
- Look for cycle-lane markings before crossing a street.
- Keep luggage and groups clear of the cycle path.
- Use lights and follow local rules when cycling.
- Park rental bicycles without blocking pavements, entrances or access routes.
Trains, buses and ferries
Danish public transport connects trains, buses, metro and local ferries. At a station, look for tog (train), togstation (railway station), afgang (departure), ankomst (arrival), spor (track/platform) and forsinket (delayed). Check the live display and operator journey planner for your actual travel date.
Ticket systems and fare zones matter. Do not assume that a ticket for one city, operator or zone covers a different service. Confirm the starting point, destination, transfer and expiry conditions. If the service is disrupted, follow the operator’s current replacement-transport instructions.
Money and payments
Denmark uses the Danish krone (DKK), not the euro. Some businesses may accept cards or mobile payments widely, but acceptance depends on the provider and card. Ask before you order if you need a specific payment method. Check the total on the terminal and understand any currency-conversion option before accepting it.
Prices may look high to visitors comparing them with other destinations. Make sure you are reading the currency correctly, and check whether the price is per item, person, hour or service. A clear amount is more useful than estimating from a familiar-looking number.
Cafés, accommodation and daily life
Use jeg vil gerne have… to say ‘I would like…’. Show a menu item if pronunciation is difficult. At a hotel, provide the full address, booking name, dates and number of guests. Keep the information available offline, especially if you are arriving late or travelling outside a major city.
Denmark’s word hygge is often used to describe a sense of cosiness, comfort and togetherness. It is a cultural idea rather than a specific tourist attraction. A relaxed café visit or an evening with friends may be described as hyggelig, but avoid reducing a whole culture to one fashionable word.
A five-day Danish phrase routine
- Day 1: practise hej, tak, mange tak and undskyld.
- Day 2: learn cykelsti, indgang, udgang and toilet.
- Day 3: read a train display and identify afgang, ankomst, spor and forsinket.
- Day 4: practise ordering and checking a price in DKK.
- Day 5: plan a cycling or walking route and identify the safe pedestrian and bicycle spaces.
Frequently asked questions
Do people in Denmark speak English?
English is widely understood in many visitor-facing settings, but learning a few Danish expressions is still polite and useful.
What does cykelsti mean?
It means cycle path. Pedestrians should keep out of marked cycle lanes and cross carefully.
Does Denmark use the euro?
No. Denmark’s currency is the Danish krone, abbreviated DKK.
What does hygge mean?
It describes a feeling or atmosphere of cosiness, comfort and conviviality. It is not a literal synonym for one kind of place.
Continue exploring Denmark
Explore things to do when visiting Denmark and the world travel vocabulary city directory.
References
- VisitDenmark — official destination information.
- Rejseplanen journey planner — public transport planning in Denmark.
- Visit Copenhagen — city visitor and cycling information.
Language note: Danish pronunciation varies and the written phrases are learner-friendly approximations. Check current transport zones, fares, cycling rules and payment methods with official operators. Editorial review: 3 November 2026.