How to Learn Danish: The Ultimate Guide to Mastering Danish

Are you struggling with learning Danish? Or let me guess, struggling to figure out how to learn Danish pronunciation? Well, if you are, stop! 

Danish is just like any other language, and contrary to popular belief, it is not impossible to learn! It just requires your full attention. 

Ok, I’ll admit it, Danish pronunciation can be a bit intimidating. But don’t give up just yet! If Mary Donaldson could learn Danish, so can you! Well, she had quite some motivation, if you ask me, but don’t worry, we’ll find some for you too!

Even if you follow all of the advice in this guide, I can’t promise you a palace in Copenhagen as a reward for your efforts. The king’s already taken, and unfortunately for all the guys reading this article, he doesn’t have a sister. What I can promise you is that you’ll learn Danish without even realizing you’re doing it! Here’s how to learn Danish and become proficient, all while having fun!

Learning Danish, or any language for that matter, begins with adopting the right mindset and discovering what drives you. This will help you cultivate a positive attitude, and you’ll learn the language with enthusiasm and determination.

My experience in teaching Danish has taught me that people who are learning the language for the right reasons have a much higher success rate than those who aren’t.

So, try to find your motivation, whether it’s a personal goal, a passion for Danish culture, or a desire to travel to Denmark and speak with locals. With the right mindset and motivation, learning Danish will become not just a task, but an exciting adventure!

If the first advice wasn’t convincing enough and you’re still trying to figure out how to learn Danish, I’ve got something better for you! Don’t just learn Danish; fall head over heels for it and Danish culture. I know that sounds big. But it’s actually as easy as it can get. 

Denmark and Danish culture are simply awesome! Denmark is home to the world’s happiest people who not only live by but invented the concepts of hygge and lykke! It’s home to amazing literature and one of the world’s most famous children’s writers Hans Christian Andersen. It’s home to great cinema and world-famous directors like Lars von Trier and Thomas Vinterberg, who changed cinema forever. And did you know that it’s Danish people that are behind one of the biggest classics of the 90s – the Barbie Girl song?

What else? Danish pastries like kanelsnegle (cinnamon buns), smørrebrød, the Danes’ favorite open sandwiches, and, of course, the great beer!

What I’m trying to say here, and I think that you’ve already figured it out by now, is that Danish culture has so much to offer! And it’s hard not to fall in love with it! When you’re truly in love with a country and its culture, learning their language becomes much easier.

I know perfectly well that learning Danish can be a bit intimidating, especially when you’re afraid of making mistakes. I’ve been there, too. But here’s the thing: mistakes are a natural part of the learning process! Embrace them, and think of them as an opportunity to learn and improve. Instead of striving for perfection, focus on progress. Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small, and keep pushing forward. 

Danish can be complex in some aspects, and it’s okay to stumble along the way. Remember, every word you learn and every sentence you construct is a step closer to fluency. So, don’t let fear hold you back. Make mistakes, and learn from them.

Pronunciation can be a stumbling block for many language learners, especially in Danish with its specific sounds and intonation. But here’s a somewhat unpopular opinion that not everyone may agree with: you don’t need to stress too much about Danish pronunciation! 

While I truly admire people who have mastered perfect pronunciation, not just in Danish but in any foreign language, it’s not essential for effective communication. Try not to fixate on achieving native-like pronunciation from the start. Besides, let’s be honest, this can be quite challenging even after years of study. Instead, focus on being understood and conveying your message clearly. Simply practice regularly, and listen to as much Danish as possible. 

Remember, language learning is a long journey, and your pronunciation will improve over time with patience and persistence. So, relax, don’t care that much about pronouncing words perfectly, and enjoy the journey!

Before becoming a teacher, I probably would never have given such advice. There isn’t anything I love more than grammar when learning a language. As much as I love all aspects of language, it is grammar that has my heart!

However, as a teacher, I’ve noticed that there are so many people who study so hard and know so much. And yet, they fail to express themselves, just because they think too much about grammar rules. 

While good grammar is important for clear communication, obsessing over every grammatical detail can hinder your progress in learning Danish. Instead of getting bogged down by grammar rules, focus on conveying your thoughts and ideas effectively. Danish grammar can be complex, with its use of gender, verb conjugations, and word order, but don’t let that discourage you. 

Remember, fluency comes from practice, not perfection. So, don’t stress too much about grammar. 

Learning vocabulary regularly is like adding pieces to your language puzzle. It makes it easier to remember words and incorporate them into your everyday speech.

However, watch out for false friends — words that look or sound similar in two languages but have different meanings. They’re like sneaky little imposters trying to trip you up! Here are some examples of false friends between English and Danish:

Word	Meaning in English	Meaning in Danish
art	art	species
barn	barn	child
chef	chef	boss
fart	fart	speed
gift	gift	married, poison
kind	kind	cheek
sky	sky	cloud
slut	slut	end

So, stay sharp and be careful with false friends along the way!

Study Danish every day. It doesn’t even have to be so time-consuming; even just 30 minutes a day can be enough to make a difference.

And yet, some people find it hard to find motivation to study even for 30 minutes. It helps to create a daily study routine with a touch of Danish hygge! Create a cozy atmosphere with soft lighting, maybe some candles, a warm or cold beverage depending on the season, and something sweet to eat, recommended for all seasons. 

If it’s winter, wrap yourself in a soft blanket and settle into your favorite spot, whether it’s a comfy chair or a cozy sofa. If it’s summer, go to the park and simply enjoy the sun (provided that you’re not already in Denmark. In case you are, you know that summer and sun don’t necessarily go together, but you can always stick to the blanket).

By creating a daily study routine and infusing it with hygge, you’ll find how enjoyable and rewarding studying can be. You might even be surprised by how much you look forward to your next study session!

Whether you’re learning in school or college, or you’re enrolled in a language course, in Denmark or your home country, you probably stick to one main textbook. While there are good Danish textbooks that give a solid foundation, they’re not enough on their own. 

I always include extra materials on top of the main ones, be it other text- and exercise books, or materials I’ve created especially for my students, tailored to their needs.

Diverse resources and materials offer different perspectives and are essential for comprehensive language learning.

I also recommend using language learning apps and tools, as they make learning fun and easy. What makes them fun is their interactive and often gamified nature. You can play games, participate in contests, and complete quests with your friends. You’re actively involved and learn faster. 

My top picks for language learning apps are Duolingo, Babbel, and Clozemaster, each with its own advantages over the others. For interactive tools, I personally really like Kahoot! and Quizlet. 

Using language learning apps and tools is a great way to spend some of your screen time which, let’s be honest, is probably a lot, so why not at least spend some of it learning Danish? 

Reading Danish on a daily basis not only improves your language skills but also offers valuable insights into Danish culture and society.

Why not kickstart your day by reading the news in Danish while enjoying your coffee? Instead of mindlessly scrolling through your feed during lunch, why not read a Danish blog article? Whether you’re interested in languages, cooking, travel, or something else, I’m sure you’ll find a blog in Danish just for you. And what better way to end the day than by reading a chapter or two of a Danish book before going to bed? 

If you’re a beginner, dr.dk’s “Ligetil” provides simplified news articles with free access and audio options — perfect for training both your reading and listening skills.

Another great idea is to explore Danish children’s books. Consider yourself lucky; after all, you’re not learning any other language, you’re learning the language of Hans Christian Andersen! What better way to do it than by revisiting childhood favorites and timeless classics? 

If you’re intermediate or advanced, you can read non-simplified news articles or crime fiction, Danish ‘Nordic Noir’. Feeling bold? Challenge yourself with classic Danish literature.

Even if you’re a beginner and don’t understand that much, listening to as much Danish as possible, whether it’s news, music, radio, or podcasts, from day one is crucial. It helps you tune your ears to the unique sounds and intonation of the language. And, before you know it, you’ll be picking up whole sentences while listening to your new favorite podcast!

Danish music is amazing and it’s a great starting point. In fact, it was Danish music that inspired me to not only learn Danish, but Scandinavian languages as a whole. So follow my lead – sing yourself to fluency with Danish music! 

There are also really good radio programs and podcasts covering various topics, suitable for people at different levels. Here are my recommendations and personal favorites: 

Watching Danish TV, movies, and series to learn Danish can give you so much more than textbooks alone. By tuning your ears to the Danish language, you gradually get used to pronunciation, intonation, and learn vocabulary and colloquialisms that textbooks might not cover. Plus, let’s admit it – who doesn’t do late-night binge-watching? Just make it Danish, both for the sake of learning and for the sake of enjoying good cinema. 

Because Danish cinema is good. Whether you prefer crime series such as Forbrydelsen ‘The Killing’ or the Swedish-Danish crime thriller Broen ‘The Bridge’, political dramas such as Borgen, or comedies like the hit dramedy Rita, you won’t regret your choice. Or you can dive into the classics of the Dogme 95 movement, such as Festen ‘The Celebration’ and Jagten ‘The Hunt’, the latter starring the brilliant Mads Mikkelsen.  

Yes, Danish cinema has a lot to offer. You’d be making a mistake not to take this chance to learn Danish! 

So, create some hygge, grab some popcorn, settle into your sofa, and let Danish cinema be your Danish teacher. Who knows, you might even discover a new favorite show along the way. 

Practicing Danish from the very beginning is one of the best ways to learn the language. Whether you have the opportunity to practice with native speakers or simply exchange ideas with a study buddy, every conversation and practice session brings you closer to your goal. While these are easy to do if you’re in Denmark or you’re enrolled in a course, but what if you’re not in any of these situations? Well, there’s this magical place called the Internet!

There are plenty of discussions you can participate in on Reddit, covering all kinds of topics you might be interested in. Another idea is to join a Facebook group for Danish learners where you can chat or why not even schedule study sessions with fellow learners. 

It’s important that you start practicing from day one. Think of it like planting a seed. The sooner you sow, the deeper your roots grow. Speaking and writing, making mistakes and correcting them early on, not only build confidence but also reinforce what you learn. 

If reading books, listening to podcasts, and watching Danish TV isn’t enough and you can’t get enough of Danish and Danish culture, I have another idea. Try using sticky notes with Danish vocabulary around your home. Label your coffee machine button with ‘kaffe‘, your fridge with ‘køleskab‘, or your beer with ‘øl‘ (preferably Danish beer, of course!).

Explore Danish cuisine by cooking traditional recipes and following instructions in Danish. From Danish meatballs ‘frikadeller’ and potato salad to dream cake ‘drømmekage’ and cinnamon buns ‘kanelsnegle’, these are just a few of the amazing things you can try.

Change the settings on your phone, computer, and social media profiles to Danish. If you enjoy board games, buy some in Danish. Depending on your level, choose a game with simple rules or a more complex one if you’re feeling confident!

Make sure Danish language and culture are all around you!

Learning Danish isn’t just about studying grammar and cramming vocabulary. It’s also about getting to know Danish culture and appreciating its quirks and uniqueness. If you think of learning Danish as less of a task and more of a love affair, I’m sure that you’ll enjoy it so much you’ll become fluent before you even know it.