Hej covers almost every situation
Danish greeting culture is famously low on formality distinctions compared to many other European languages, and "Hej" works comfortably with strangers, colleagues, and friends alike β making it one of the easiest words to lean on as a beginner.
Danish pronunciation is notoriously soft
Danish is known even among other Scandinavians for swallowing consonants and blurring sounds together, so the written form and the spoken form can look quite different from each other. Don't be discouraged if a native speaker's pronunciation sounds far softer or shorter than the spelling suggests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Danish similar to Swedish and Norwegian?
Yes, the three are closely related and largely mutually intelligible in writing, though pronunciation differences β especially Danish's soft, swallowed consonants β can make spoken Danish harder for Swedes and Norwegians to follow than the reverse.
Do Danes commonly speak English?
English proficiency in Denmark is generally very high, but attempting a few Danish phrases is still commonly appreciated as a small, courteous gesture.