
Learning Danish language in Denmark can add value to an international student’s life, not only academically but also socially. Although the higher education system in Denmark offers lots of courses in English, it is still recommended to master the basics of Danish so that one can go through everyday life, interact with locals better, and immerse oneself in the lively Danish culture.
This tutorial will help you familiarize yourself with the basics of the Danish language, including pronunciation tips, grammatical advice, useful words and phrases, and resources to get you started with learning the Danish language.
1. Getting Started with Danish: Understanding Key Pronunciation and Vocabulary
Danish Pronunciation: The Essentials for Beginners
Danish pronunciation is notoriously difficult for a native speaker to get across. The Danish language has many unusual sounds and vowel combinations to send even the best student packing. But once you learn these basic sounds, your pronunciation will blossom.
Danish Vowels: Vowels are very integral to Danish words, and sometimes the intonation could easily change the whole meaning of the phrase. Practice the following vowel sounds:
“Ø”: The French “EU” sound in those words like “sød”, which is sweet.
“Æ”:Like the “a” sound in the English word “cat,” as seen in the word “mærke” (meaning “mark”).
“Å”: Like “aw” in “law” as in “kår” which is condition.
Consonant Sounds: The Danish consonants can be soft and silent. The “d” in Danish is more often pronounced, almost like the smooth “th.” And a couple of consonants get lost in speech.
Intonation Patterns: Danish uses a rising and falling intonation pattern. It will take you a little while to get used to that. Pay close attention to how the native speaker speaks to get comfortable with it.
Building Your Danish Vocabulary
Start with some common words and phrases to help you in your daily endeavours. Being able to understand even a few key phrases can be just what you need to give you that confidence boost as you settle into Denmark.
- Hej (Hi)
- Tak (Thank you)
- Undskyld mig / undskyld (Excuse me / Sorry)
- Hvordan har du det? (How are you?)
- Hvad er klokken? (What time is it?)
With these commonly used phrases, you can start quick practice in everyday Danish conversations.
2. Danish Language Grammar Rules for Beginners
Several grammar rules could confuse a beginner eager to learn Danish, but they become intuitive with constant practice. The most important Danish grammar rules for beginners can be found below.
Danish Sentence Structure: SVO
The sentence structure in Danish is as SVO as it is in English. Example:
English: “I am studying at university.”
Danish: “Jeg studerer på universitetet.”
Although the sentence structure is almost identical, do observe that in Danish questions, the verb goes before the subject, unlike in English:
English: “Are you coming?”
Danish: “Kommer du?”
Danish Nouns and Articles: Gender Matters
In Danish language, every noun belongs to one of the two grammatical genders: common (en) or neuter (et). The choice of article that precedes the noun depends on the noun’s gender.
En for common gender: En bil (A vehicle)
Et for the neuter gender: Et hus (A house)
The best way to learn the gender of nouns is to practice them with their article. As you expand your vocabulary, remember the gender of each noun.
Verbs and Tenses in Danish: An Easy Overview
Danish verbs are pretty straightforward, and once you get the hang of generalizing the rules for the tenses, you can create all sorts of sentences.
Present Tense: Simply append an “r” to the verb.
Jeg spiser. (I eat).
Past Tense: Most verbs have very regular changes.
Take care because there are several irregular verbs.
Jeg spiste. (I ate).
Future Tense: This uses the auxiliary verb skal, meaning will/shall.
Jeg skal studere. (I will study).
3. Some Basic Danish Phrases for International Students
Knowing the basics of the Danish language will make you more confident in your academic and social life. Here are some very basic phrases that international students should know:
University and Academic Phrases
Since you are an international student, there are many phrases you can use in classroom and campus situations.
- Hvor er biblioteket? (Where is the library?)
- Kan du hjælpe mig? (Can you help me?)
- Jeg er en international studerende. (I am an international student.)
- Hvornår starter foredraget? (What time does the lecture start?)
Danish Phrases for Everyday Life
Practising the following practical phrases will also help you in your everyday dealings.
Kan jeg få regningen, tak? Tak! (Can I have the bill, please? Thank you!)
Hvor er det nærmeste busstoppested? (Where is the closest bus stop?)
Jeg har mistet min telefon. (I’ve lost my phone.)
These easy phrases will make your transition to Danish life easier and more enjoyable.
4. Best Danish Language Resources for International Students
The following tools can make your learning faster. Some tools will help you on your trip as a beginner.
Language Learning Apps
Duolingo: This is a free language learning app. You can begin with vocabulary and sentence formation by doing interactive activities.
Babbel: This app offers paid lessons, focusing on practical conversation and grammar.
Memrise: Such lessons are gamified for pronunciation and listening.
Free Online Courses and Websites
Learn Danish Language Online: Free with full grammar and vocab guides and downloadable exercises.
Copenhagen Language School: Offers specific courses for international students, and both online and onsite options are available.
Language Exchange Platforms
To enhance speaking practice, you could use language exchange portals like Tandem or HelloTalk for Danish with native speakers.
5. Learn Danish Language Through Cultural Immersion
Here are a few ideas on how to use Danish as much as possible.
Watch Danish movies and TV shows
You can listen to colloquial expressions and regional dialects if you watch Danish media. You should watch :
- DR1 (Danish national channel)
- DR TV (Streaming service with many popular shows and documentaries)
- Read Danish books and news
Start with simple children’s books or online news sources, such as Politiken or The Copenhagen Post, to get you used to reading in Danish.
Be Social
Speak to native Danes as much as you can. Whether grabbing a coffee or attending university social events, speaking to locals remains the best way to improve one’s grip over a new language.
6. Overcoming Obstacles in Learning Danish
Learning another language can be intimidating, but do not worry. Here are some tricks to help you overcome many common obstacles:
Ditch Common Errors
Pronunciation: Don’t worry if you cannot pronounce all the sounds on day one. First, learn the basics and do it frequently.
Grammar Dump: Don’t try to stuff everything in your brain in one go. Talk practically and use the language. Grammar will flow as time passes.
Stick to Your Schedule of Learning
Set aside a daily time slot to learn the language. 15-20 minutes a day can work wonders for you. Consistency is the word.
Conclusion: Danish Language and Culture Course of Learning for You
With a good mastery of Danish language basics, your time spent in Denmark as an international student will be more enjoyable, rewarding, and enriching. You will find ways to reach out to locals more intensely, build confidence in social and academic areas, and easily navigate life there by embracing the language and culture.
Keep on practicing, stay motivated.
Language is something that requires marathon effort, not short dashes. The more you practice, the easier it gets. Just be patient and don’t fear making mistakes. A step forward brings you closer to fluency.
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