[takeaways] • Danish is Denmark's official language, spoken by the vast majority of the country's roughly six million residents.
• English is the clear second language here, spoken by about 73% of people in Denmark overall – and by almost 84% of 15- to 34-year-olds.
• Other commonly spoken languages include German, Swedish, French, Spanish, and Arabic, though none come close to English's reach.
• Whether Danish is "easy" to learn is debated, but it shares Germanic roots and some sentence structure with English.
• Learning a few key Danish phrases – like "hej" (hi) and "tak" (thank you) – goes a long way with locals.
• A SIMOVO eSIM for Denmark keeps translation apps, maps, and messaging running the moment you land. [/takeaways]
If you're planning to visit Scandinavia soon, it makes sense to think about how you'll communicate with people while you're there. In Denmark, for example – do you need to crack out a phrasebook or Duolingo, or can you get by with your own language? What language is spoken in Denmark?
As you might expect, most people, in fact, speak Danish. But there are other languages spoken here too, meaning you won't necessarily need to become a polyglot to make the most of your time here.
In this guide, we'll look at the languages spoken in Denmark, what you need to know about Danish, and tips for making the most of your vacation here.
What is the national language of Denmark?
Danish is, unsurprisingly, Denmark's national language, and most people there speak it. According to Denmark.dk, around six million people speak it there, and it's thought to have originated between 200 and 800 AD.
With just over six million people living in Denmark, you will probably meet at least one person who speaks Danish.
Do people speak English in Denmark?
According to LanguageKnowledge, English is reportedly the second most spoken language in Denmark. As of 2024, as many as 73.2% of people speak it. This contrasts with the source's claim that 95.8% of people in Denmark speak Danish.
Interestingly, only 6.8% of people in Denmark are native English speakers – the rest learn it as a second language, with roughly two-thirds of the overall population speaking it this way, which is part of why it's such a reliable language to fall back on here.
English is spoken by 83.7% of people between the ages of 15 and 34, according to the same source. Even 61.2% of people over 55 speak English, meaning it's usually a safe language to use if you don't know any others or aren't confident using Danish yet.
What other languages do Danish people speak?
Again, according to LanguageKnowledge, other languages spoken by people in Denmark (total) include German, Swedish, French, Spanish, Arabic, Dutch, Portuguese, and Italian. Fewer people speak languages like Chinese, Russian, Greek, and Polish, but they are still spoken here.
Among speakers aged 15 to 34, English, German, Swedish, Spanish, and Arabic remain the most used languages. For people over 55, French is a little more common, accounting for around 5.3% of the population. People aged between those brackets, meanwhile, tend to swap Spanish and French in terms of the order of popularity.
So, if you are a polyglot or speak a language other than English or Danish, you'll still have a good chance of navigating the country and enjoying yourself!
Regardless of the language you speak, one thing that is universal is that an eSIM for Denmark will benefit your travels here massively. A SIMOVO Danish eSIM will allow you to connect to the best available mobile networks when you land, and you won't have to worry about running up high roaming bills with your home carrier. Plus, you won't have to hunt for WiFi spots, which aren't always secure!
[esim flag="🇩🇰" label="Denmark" data="10GB · 30 days" price="$8.50" href="/products/denmark" benefits="Instant QR setup · Reliable 4G/5G · No contract"]Get connected the moment you land, so translation apps and maps work wherever you go[/esim]
Is it worth learning Danish phrases?
Yes, it is certainly worth learning a few Danish phrases if you are visiting Denmark, especially if you want to meet new people and make the most of local attractions. That said, as mentioned, if you speak English or German, you will likely find it fairly easy to navigate the main cities.
Danish is a fairly unique language, and there are notable differences between the way it is spoken and the way it is written. Therefore, we recommend that you try learning words and phrases as far ahead of your visit as possible, so that you're able to get accustomed to what you're likely to say, read, and hear the most.
According to Culture Trip, some of the most important Danish phrases you should learn before visiting Denmark include:
[numbered title="Hej" pill="Greeting"]Simply means "hi" – a very basic, friendly greeting to use with almost anyone.[/numbered] [numbered title="Ja / Nej" pill="Yes and no"]The two words you'll need constantly – "ja" for yes and "nej" for no.[/numbered] [numbered title="Tak" pill="Thank you"]Means "thank you", essential when shopping and dining – politeness costs nothing![/numbered] [numbered title="Skål" pill="Cheers"]Means "cheers", something you say when saluting another while drinking.[/numbered] [numbered title="Hvor er..." pill="Directions"]Means "where is", great if you don't want to rely on Google Maps.[/numbered] [numbered title="Jeg er fra..." pill="Icebreaker"]Means "I am from", a good icebreaker if you meet Danish people and want to talk about your heritage.[/numbered]
Naturally, these are just a few rudimentary words and phrases you should consider when visiting Denmark for the first time. If you intend to stay for an extended period, it's well worth taking a course or diving deep into some books.
Is Danish easy to learn?
It's a mixed bag. Many people online claim that it is a fairly easy language to get to grips with, while others claim that it isn't particularly beginner-friendly. Others confuse things even further by claiming it's easier than its reputation suggests.
Therefore, we can't really say for certain if Danish is easy to learn! What we can say, however, is that it shares roots with English in that both follow Germanic sentence structures and vocabulary. Unlike many European languages, Danish follows a subject-verb-object structure, meaning it may be easy for English speakers to pick up.
That said, whether or not Danish is easy to learn depends entirely on your ability to pick up languages and your own mother tongue. Give it a try, and you might surprise yourself!
Tips for visiting Denmark
If you're new to Denmark, here are some tips and tricks to help you get settled.
[tip title="Pack for peak season"]Denmark's best weather tends to arrive in the summer, and the winters can be pretty chilly indeed. Many people prefer to visit when the weather is hot, so crowds and higher rates are more likely between June and August.[/tip] [tip title="Watch out for cyclists"]Bicycles are everywhere in Danish cities, so watch for basic hand signals (and maybe bring your own bike if you'd like to get around fast!).[/tip] [tip title="Carry a little cash just in case"]Many shops and restaurants across Denmark accept card payments. However, just in case you head anywhere rural, keep some loose change handy.[/tip] [tip title="Drink the tap water"]It's safe to drink tap water across Denmark, so only order purified if you prefer to do so.[/tip] [tip title="Consider a small group tour"]Taking a small group tour is a great way to enjoy some of Denmark's best attractions, meaning you can take a leisurely stroll around cities like Copenhagen without getting lost on your own.[/tip] [tip title="Try smørrebrød"]When dining out, prioritize smørrebrød! This traditional bread-and-toppings treat is customizable and popular nationwide. You can top brown bread with cold cuts, eggs, cheese, fish, vegetables, and more.[/tip] [tip title="Check your bill before tipping"]Tipping isn't usually expected here, and service charges are usually billed, so make sure to check your bill before you add anything extra.[/tip] [tip title="Keep noise to a minimum in public"]Quiet and calmness are certainly prioritized here, meaning it's always a good idea to be respectful of others in public, especially when you are taking trains or buses.[/tip] [tip title="Pack layers"]Make sure to pack lots of layers! While summers can get quite hot in Denmark, the weather changes in an instant. So, pack garments that you can easily put on and pull off at short notice.[/tip] [tip title="Rely on trains and cycling, not cabs"]You typically won't need to worry about hailing cabs here. Just focus on taking trains and cycling around – it's all remarkably efficient.[/tip] [faq] [q]What language is spoken in Denmark?[/q] [a]Danish is Denmark's official language, spoken by the vast majority of its roughly six million residents.[/a] [q]Do people in Denmark speak English?[/q] [a]Yes – English is the clear second language, spoken by about 73% of people in Denmark overall, and by almost 84% of 15- to 34-year-olds.[/a] [q]Is Danish easy to learn?[/q] [a]It's debated – opinions online vary widely, though Danish does share some Germanic sentence structure with English, which may help English speakers pick it up.[/a] [q]What are some basic Danish phrases to know?[/q] [a]Useful starter phrases include "hej" (hi), "tak" (thank you), "ja"/"nej" (yes/no), and "skål" (cheers).[/a] [q]Do I need to speak Danish to visit Denmark?[/q] [a]Not really – with most people fluent in English, especially in cities, you can get by comfortably even without any Danish.[/a] [/faq] [esim flag="🇩🇰" label="Denmark" data="10GB · 30 days" price="$8.50" href="/products/denmark" benefits="Instant QR setup · Reliable 4G/5G · No contract"]Grab a Denmark eSIM and travel with one less thing to worry about[/esim]
