15 Must-Know Danish Verbs for Daily Conversations

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Danish verbs are the backbone of everyday speech. If you’re learning the language, these 15 verbs will help you navigate conversations with ease. No fluff - just the essentials.

1. At være (To be)

At være

/æt ˈvɛːɐ/

To be

The most fundamental verb in any language. Use it to describe states, identities, and conditions.

Example: Jeg er træt. (I am tired.)

2. At have (To have)

At have

/æt ˈhæːvə/

To have

Essential for possession, relationships, and experiences.

Example: Jeg har en kat. (I have a cat.)

3. At gøre (To do/make)

At gøre

/æt ˈɡøːɐ/

To do/make

Versatile for actions and creating things.

Example: Hvad laver du? (What are you doing?)

4. At sige (To say)

At sige

/æt ˈsaɪ/

To say

Crucial for communication and quoting others.

Example: Hvad siger du? (What are you saying?)

5. At gå (To go/walk)

At gå

/æt ˈɡɔː/

To go/walk

Used for movement on foot or general going.

Example: Jeg går på arbejde. (I walk to work.)

6. At se (To see)

At se

/æt ˈseː/

To see

For visual perception or understanding.

Example: Kan du se mig? (Can you see me?)

7. At vide (To know)

At vide

/æt ˈviːðə/

To know

For factual knowledge.

Example: Jeg ved det ikke. (I don’t know.)

8. At komme (To come)

At komme

/æt ˈkɔmə/

To come

Essential for arrivals and approaching.

Example: Hvornår kommer du? (When are you coming?)

9. At tage (To take)

At tage

/æt ˈtæːjə/

To take

For grabbing, accepting, or consuming.

Example: Jeg tager en kop kaffe. (I’ll take a cup of coffee.)

10. At spise (To eat)

At spise

/æt ˈspiːsə/

To eat

Because food is life.

Example: Vi spiser middag klokken seks. (We eat dinner at six.)

11. At drikke (To drink)

At drikke

/æt ˈdʁɛɡə/

To drink

For beverages, from water to beer.

Example: Hun drikker te. (She drinks tea.)

12. At elske (To love)

At elske

/æt ˈɛlskə/

To love

For deep affection, whether people, hobbies, or food.

Example: Jeg elsker dig. (I love you.)

13. At arbejde (To work)

At arbejde

/æt ˈɑːbɑjdə/

To work

For jobs, tasks, or effort.

Example: Hvor arbejder du? (Where do you work?)

14. At sove (To sleep)

At sove

/æt ˈsoːvə/

To sleep

Because everyone needs rest.

Example: Jeg sover otte timer hver nat. (I sleep eight hours every night.)

15. At lære (To learn)

At lære

/æt ˈlɛːɐ/

To learn

Meta, but necessary for language learners.

Example: Jeg lærer dansk. (I am learning Danish.)

Pro tip: Pair these verbs with common Danish prepositions for smoother sentences. Check out our guide on essential Danish prepositions.

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