Learning objectives:
After completing this lesson you will be able to:
Learning objectives:
After completing this lesson you will be able to:
Bob meets Peter and Anna. Notice how they greet each other, both with handshakes, hugs and words.
Bob meets Peter and Anna. Notice how they greet each other, both with handshakes, hugs and words.
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Peter | |
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Anna |
Hej is the most common greeting in Denmark. You can use hej both to greet someone and greet them back.
Hej is the most common greeting in Denmark. You can use hej both to greet someone and greet them back.
Danes usually do not differentiate between greeting men or women, young or old, or a person with high or low status. In fact, one does not see social status when choosing a greeting.
Danes usually say hello and shake hands the first time they meet. A greeting is almost always followed by a handshake. Danes say hello to the people they know well and sometimes they even give a hug.
On the next page you will learn some greetings for more formal situations. You should use these greetings when you meet someone for the first time. You can always shake hands when greeting someone politely.
Danes usually do not differentiate between greeting men or women, young or old, or a person with high or low status. In fact, one does not see social status when choosing a greeting.
Danes usually say hello and shake hands the first time they meet. A greeting is almost always followed by a handshake. Danes say hello to the people they know well and sometimes they even give a hug.
On the next page you will learn some greetings for more formal situations. You should use these greetings when you meet someone for the first time. You can always shake hands when greeting someone politely.
The most common and polite greeting is goddag.
The most common and polite greeting is goddag.
In the morning, you say:
In the morning, you say:
When you go to bed you say:
When you go to bed you say:
After a greeting, you can use the following sentence to start the conversation:
After a greeting, you can use the following sentence to start the conversation:
You can reply to hvordan går det in the following ways:
You can reply to hvordan går det in the following ways:
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Rigtigt | |
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Forkert |
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Godmorgen | |
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Hej | |
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Goddag | |
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Godnat |
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Det går fint. | |
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Det går fint, tak. | |
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Hvad med dig? | |
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Hej, hvordan går det? |
Personal pronouns are categorized in person and number.
Person describes whether the person who is meant is the speaker, i.e. the 1st person, the person being spoken to, i.e. the 2nd person, or a completely different person, i.e., 3rd person.
Number describes whether it is singular (singular) or plural (plural) that is meant. So whether there is one person or several.
Personal pronouns are categorized in person and number.
Person describes whether the person who is meant is the speaker, i.e. the 1st person, the person being spoken to, i.e. the 2nd person, or a completely different person, i.e., 3rd person.
Number describes whether it is singular (singular) or plural (plural) that is meant. So whether there is one person or several.
When you present yourself, you use the verb hedder. The verb does not change according to the subject regardless of number and gender.
When you present yourself, you use the verb hedder. The verb does not change according to the subject regardless of number and gender.
When you need to introduce others, you say det er (this is)
When you need to introduce others, you say det er (this is)
When asking other people's names, use the word hvad (what), which you also used in hvad med dig?
When asking other people's names, use the word hvad (what), which you also used in hvad med dig?
Try to compare it with the way you say your own name. Notice that hedder is used in both cases.
Try to compare it with the way you say your own name. Notice that hedder is used in both cases.
In Danish you can address a person either formally or informally:
De is formal
Du is informal
In modern Danish, De is rarely used unless it is under special conditions. It is sometimes used by waiters in formal restaurants or in hotels, although du is most often perfectly acceptable.
You can use De as signs of respect toward older people. You must always use De when talking to members of the royal family!
In Danish you can address a person either formally or informally:
De is formal
Du is informal
In modern Danish, De is rarely used unless it is under special conditions. It is sometimes used by waiters in formal restaurants or in hotels, although du is most often perfectly acceptable.
You can use De as signs of respect toward older people. You must always use De when talking to members of the royal family!
Tell Anna your name is Bob Johnson:
Tell Anna your name is Bob Johnson:
introduce Anna:
introduce Anna:
Answer Anna's question:
Answer Anna's question:
Farvel (goodbye) can be used in all situations where people are leaving:
Farvel (goodbye) can be used in all situations where people are leaving:
Hej, hej can be used in more informal situations:
Hej, hej can be used in more informal situations:
There are several ways to say goodbye in Danish:
Danes shake hands, give each other a hug or wave when they say goodbye.
When saying goodbye to a person you have met for the first time, you can say det var hyggeligt at møde dig (it was nice to meet you).
There are several ways to say goodbye in Danish:
Danes shake hands, give each other a hug or wave when they say goodbye.
When saying goodbye to a person you have met for the first time, you can say det var hyggeligt at møde dig (it was nice to meet you).
When you meet a person for the first time, you can say goodbye by saying: det var hyggeligt at møde dig.
When you meet a person for the first time, you can say goodbye by saying: det var hyggeligt at møde dig.
Hav en god dag is a less common way of saying farvel, but is used.
Hav en god dag is a less common way of saying farvel, but is used.
A nice response here is to wish the same to the other person;
A nice response here is to wish the same to the other person;
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Forkert | |
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Rigtigt |
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I lige måde | |
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Farvel | |
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Hav en god dag |
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Rigtigt | |
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Forkert |
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Forkert | |
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Rigtigt |
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Det går fint, tak | |
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Det går fint | |
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Hvad med dig? | |
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Det går dårligt |
Ask about her name by using the right gender he or she
Ask about her name by using the right gender he or she
Ask Anna how it's going:
Ask Anna how it's going:
Respond to what is said:
Respond to what is said:
Respond to the question:
Respond to the question:
Tell Anna it was nice to meet her:
Tell Anna it was nice to meet her:
Answer "det var hyggeligt at møde dig."
Answer "det var hyggeligt at møde dig."
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Forkert | |
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Rigtigt |
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Section completed | ![]() |
Exercise | Result | Your answer | Correct answer |