1000 Most Common Danish Words: Your Path to Fluency
Did you know that in most languages, including Danish, a small core of vocabulary makes up the vast majority of daily speech? Research suggests that mastering the top 1000 Danish words allows you to understand approximately 75% to 80% of everyday written and spoken Danish.
Expert Tip: Don't just memorize definitions. Focus on how these words function in sentences, especially Danish "småord" (small words) like jo, vel, and nok which add nuance to conversation.
Why Start with a Frequency List?
Learning a language can feel overwhelming. With over 100,000 words in the Danish language, where do you begin? The answer lies in Frequency Theory. By prioritizing the words that appear most often in newspapers, podcasts, and casual conversations in Copenhagen or Aarhus, you maximize your "Return on Investment" (ROI) for study time.
This list is curated specifically for the LearnDanishLab community, focusing on vocabulary required for the Prøve i Dansk 3 (PD3) and general integration into the Danish workforce. Whether you are an IT professional, a nurse, or a student, these words form the foundation of your linguistic house.
The Vocabulary List
Updated for 2026| English | Danish |
|---|---|
| Voice | Stemme |
| Finally | Endelig |
| Pull | Trække |
| Return | Afkast |
| According | Ifølge |
| Decision | Beslutning |
| Develop | Udvikle |
| View | Udsigt |
| Relationship | Forhold |
| Carry | Bære |
| Receive | Modtage |
| Value | Værdi |
| Building | Bygning |
| Action | Handling |
| Join | Tilslutte |
| Society | Samfund |
| Player | Afspiller |
| Agree | Enig |
| Especially | Især |
| Wear | Slid |
| Ground | Jorden |
| Support | Støtte |
| Event | Begivenhed |
| Matter | Anliggende |
| Court | Domstol |
| Responsible | Ansvarlige |
| Regular | Regelmæssig |
| Spread | Spredning |
| Chairman | Formand |
| Soft | Blød |
| Murder | Mord |
| Review | Anmeldelse |
| Editor | Redaktør |
| Engage | Engagere |
| Speed | Fart |
| Cross | Krydse |
| Influence | Indflydelse |
| Anyway | Alligevel |
| Threaten | True |
| Commit | Begå |
| Wave | Bølge |
| Background | Baggrund |
| Native | Indfødte |
| Broad | Bred |
| Wonderful | Dejlig |
| Apparently | Tilsyneladende |
| Slightly | En Anelse |
| Reaction | Reaktion |
| Suit | Kulør |
| Blow | Slag |
| Season | Årstid |
| Star | Stjerne |
| Teach | Undervise |
| Half | Halvt |
| Situation | Situationen |
| Figure | Figur |
| Image | Billede |
| Either | Enten |
| Cover | Dække Over |
| Quite | Helt |
| Clear | Klar |
| Practice | Praksis |
| Piece | Stykke |
| Land | Jord |
| Recent | Seneste |
| Describe | Beskrive |
| Product | Produkt |
| Wall | Væg |
| Worker | Arbejder |
| News | Nyheder |
| Test | Prøve |
| Certain | Vis |
| North | Nord |
| Personal | Personlig |
| Simply | Simpelthen |
| Third | Tredje |
| Step | Trin |
| Attention | Opmærksomhed |
| Type | Typen |
| Draw | Tegne |
| Tree | Træ |
| Source | Kilde |
| Nearly | Næsten |
| Choose | Vælge |
| Cause | Årsag |
| Century | Århundrede |
| Evidence | Beviser |
| Difficult | Vanskeligt |
| Culture | Kultur |
| Billion | Milliarder |
| Energy | Energi |
| Period | Periode |
| Realize | Indse |
| Available | Tilgængelig |
| Plant | Plante |
| Likely | Sandsynligvis |
| Opportunity | Lejlighed |
| Term | Sigt |
| Short | Kort |
| Letter | Brev |
| Condition | Tilstand |
| Choice | Valg |
| Single | Enkelt |
| Rule | Regel |
| Daughter | Datter |
| South | Syd |
| Congress | Kongressen |
| Floor | Etage |
| Campaign | Kampagne |
| Material | Materiale |
| Population | Befolkning |
| Economy | Økonomi |
| Medical | Medicinsk |
| Church | Kirke |
| Close to | Tæt på |
| Thousand | Tusinde |
| Risk | Risiko |
| Current | Nuværende |
| Fire | Brand |
| Future | Fremtid |
| Wrong | Forkert |
| Involve | Involvere |
| Defense | Forsvar |
| Anyone | Nogen |
| Increase | Forøge |
| Security | Sikkerhed |
| Certainly | Sikkert |
| West | Vest |
| Board | Bord |
| Seek | Søge |
| Per | Om |
| Subject | Emne |
| Private | Privat |
| Rest | Hvile |
| Behavior | Adfærd |
| Deal | Deal |
| Performance | Præstation |
| Fight | Kamp |
| Throw | Smide |
| Top | Top |
| Quickly | Hurtigt |
| Past | Fortid |
| Goal | Mål |
| Order | Bestilling |
| Author | Forfatter |
| Fill | Udfylde |
| Represent | Repræsentere |
| Focus | Fokus |
| Foreign | Fremmed |
| Drop | Drop |
| Blood | Blod |
| Upon | På |
| Agency | Agentur |
| Push | Skub |
| Nature | Natur |
| Color | Farve |
| Recently | For nylig |
| Store | Butik |
| Reduce | Reducere |
| Sound | Lyd |
| Note | Note |
| Fine | Bøde |
| Near | Nær ved |
| Movement | Bevægelse |
| Page | Side |
| Enter | Indtaste |
| Share | Del |
| Common | Fælles |
| Poor | Fattige |
| Natural | Naturlige |
| Race | Løb |
| Concern | Bekymring |
| Series | Serie |
| Significant | Signifikant |
| Similar | Lignende |
| Hot | Varm |
| Language | Sprog |
| Usually | Normalt |
| Response | Respons |
| Dead | Døde |
| Rise | Stige |
| Animal | Dyr |
| Factor | Faktor |
| Decade | Årti |
| Article | Artiklen |
| Shoot | Skyde |
| East | Øst |
| Save | Spare |
| Seven | Syv |
| Artist | Kunstner |
| Scene | Scene |
| Stock | Lager |
| Career | Karriere |
| Despite | Trods |
| Central | Centrale |
| Eight | Otte |
| Thus | Dermed |
| Treatment | Behandling |
| Beyond | Uden |
| Happy | Glad |
| Exactly | Præcis |
| Protect | Beskytte |
| Approach | Tilgang |
| Lie | Løgn |
| Size | Størrelse |
| Dog | Hund |
| Fund | Fond |
| Serious | Alvorlig |
| Occur | Forekomme |
| Media | Medier |
| Ready | Klar |
| Sign | Tegn |
| Thought | Tænkte |
| List | Liste |
| Individual | Individuel |
| Simple | Simpel |
| Quality | Kvalitet |
| Pressure | Tryk |
| Accept | Acceptere |
| Answer | Svar |
| Resource | Ressource |
| Identify | Identificere |
| Left | Venstre |
| Meeting | Møde |
| Determine | Bestemme |
| Prepare | Forberede |
| Disease | Sygdom |
| Whatever | Hvad end |
| Success | Succes |
| Argue | Argumentere |
| Cup | Kop |
| Particularly | Især |
| Amount | Beløb |
| Ability | Evne |
| Staff | Personale |
| Recognize | Genkende |
| Indicate | Angiver |
| Character | Karakter |
| Growth | Vækst |
| Loss | Tab |
| Degree | Grad |
| Wonder | Spekulere |
| Attack | Angreb |
| Herself | Selv |
| Region | Region |
| Television | Fjernsyn |
| Box | Kasse |
| Training | Uddannelse |
| Pretty | Smuk |
| Trade | Handel |
| Election | Valg |
| Everybody | Alle |
| Physical | Fysisk |
| Lay | Lægge |
| General | Generelt |
| Feeling | Følelse |
| Standard | Standard |
| Bill | Regning |
| Message | Besked |
| Fail | Mislykkes |
| Outside | Udenfor |
| Arrive | Ankommer |
| Analysis | Analyse |
| Benefit | Fordel |
| Sex | Køn |
| Forward | Frem |
| Lawyer | Advokat |
| Present | Stede |
| Section | Sektion |
| Environmental | Miljømæssige |
| Glass | Glas |
| Skill | Dygtighed |
| Sister | Søster |
| Professor | Professor |
| Operation | Drift |
| Financial | Finansielle |
| Crime | Kriminalitet |
| Stage | Etape |
| Compare | Sammenligne |
| Authority | Myndighed |
| Design | Design |
| Sort | Slags |
| Ten | Ti |
| Knowledge | Viden |
| Gun | Pistol |
| Station | Station |
| Blue | Blå |
| Strategy | Strategi |
| Clearly | Klart |
| Discuss | Diskutere |
| Indeed | Faktisk |
| Truth | Sandheden |
| Song | Sang |
| Example | Eksempel |
| Democratic | Demokratisk |
| Check | Kontrollere |
| Environment | Miljø |
| Leg | Ben |
| Dark | Mørk |
| Various | Diverse |
| Rather | Snarere |
| Laugh | Grine |
| Guess | Gæt |
| Executive | Udøvende |
| Prove | Bevise |
| Hang | Hænge |
| Entire | Hele |
| Rock | Sten |
| Forget | Glemmer |
| Claim | Fordring |
| Remove | Fjerne |
| Manager | Leder |
| Enjoy | God fornøjelse |
| Network | Netværk |
| Legal | Juridiske |
| Religious | Religiøse |
| Cold | Kold |
| Final | Endelige |
| Main | Vigtigste |
| Science | Videnskab |
| Green | Grøn |
| Memory | Hukommelse |
| Card | Kort |
| Above | Ovenfor |
| Seat | Plads |
| Cell | Celle |
| Establish | Etablere |
| Nice | God |
| Trial | Retssag |
| Expert | Ekspert |
| Spring | Forår |
| Firm | Fast |
| Democrat | Demokrat |
| Visit | Besøg |
| Management | Ledelse |
| Avoid | Undgå |
| Imagine | Forestille |
| Tonight | I aften |
| Huge | Kæmpe |
| Ball | Bold |
| Finish | Færdig |
| Yourself | Du selv |
| Theory | Teori |
| Impact | Indvirkning |
| Respond | Reagere |
| Statement | Erklæring |
| Maintain | Vedligeholde |
| Charge | Opkræve |
| Popular | Populær |
| Traditional | Traditionelle |
| Reveal | Afsløre |
| Direction | Retning |
| Weapon | Våben |
| Employee | Medarbejder |
| Cultural | Kulturel |
| Contain | Indeholder |
| Peace | Fred |
| Pain | Smerte |
| Apply | Anvende |
| Measure | Måle |
| Wide | Bred |
| Shake | Ryste |
| Fly | Flyve |
| Interview | Interview |
| Manage | Administrere |
| Chair | Stol |
| Fish | Fisk |
| Particular | Særlig |
| Camera | Kamera |
| Structure | Struktur |
| Politics | Politik |
| Perform | Udføre |
| Bit | Smule |
| Weight | Vægt |
| Suddenly | Pludselig |
| Discover | Opdage |
| Candidate | Kandidat |
| Production | Produktion |
| Treat | Behandle |
| Trip | Tur |
| Evening | Aften |
| Affect | Påvirke |
| Inside | Indenfor |
| Conference | Konference |
| Unit | Enhed |
| Best | Bedst |
| Style | Stil |
| Adult | Voksen |
| Worry | Bekymre |
| Range | Område |
| Mention | Nævne |
| Rather | Hellere |
| Far | Langt |
| Deep | Dyb |
| Front | Front |
| Edge | Kant |
| Individual | Individ |
| Specific | Specifik |
| Writer | Forfatter |
| Trouble | Problemer |
| Necessary | Nødvendig |
| Throughout | Gennem |
| Challenge | Udfordring |
| Fear | Frygt |
| Shoulder | Skulder |
| Institution | Institution |
| Middle | Midten |
| Sea | Hav |
| Dream | Drøm |
| Bar | Bar |
| Beautiful | Smuk |
| Property | Ejendom |
| Instead | I stedet |
| Improve | Forbedre |
| Stuff | Ting |
| Claim | Krav |
| Notice | Bemærke |
| Growth | Vækst |
| Gas | Gas |
| Deeply | Dybt |
| Fight | Kæmpe |
| Response | Svar |
| Reality | Virkelighed |
| Control | Kontrol |
| Direction | Retning |
| Situation | Situation |
| Memory | Hukommelse |
| Operation | Operation |
| Chance | Chance |
| Pressure | Pres |
| Blood | Blod |
| Benefit | Fordel |
| Success | Succes |
| Condition | Tilstand |
| Apply | Ansøge |
| Agree | Enig |
| Purpose | Formål |
| Increase | Stigning |
| Ability | Evne |
| Knowledge | Viden |
| Language | Sprog |
| Energy | Energi |
| Region | Region |
| Support | Støtte |
| Decision | Beslutning |
| Meeting | Møde |
| Resource | Ressource |
| Employee | Ansat |
| Production | Produktion |
| Investment | Investering |
| Development | Udvikling |
| Strategy | Strategi |
| Security | Sikkerhed |
| Technology | Teknologi |
| Information | Information |
| Communication | Kommunikation |
| Transportation | Transport |
| Education | Uddannelse |
| Environment | Miljø |
| product | produkt |
| black | sort |
| short | kort |
| numeral | talord |
| class | klasse |
| wind | vind |
| question | spørgsmål |
| happen | ske |
| complete | komplet |
| ship | skib |
| area | område |
| half | halvdelen |
| rock | sten |
| order | ordre |
| fire | brand |
| south | syd |
| problem | problem |
| piece | stykke |
| told | fortalt |
| knew | vidste |
| pass | passere |
| farm | gård |
| top | top |
| whole | hel |
| king | konge |
| size | størrelse |
| heard | hørte |
| best | bedst |
| hour | time |
| better | bedre |
| true | sand |
| during | under |
| hundred | hundrede |
| five | fem |
| remember | huske |
| step | trin |
| early | tidlig |
| hold | holde |
| west | vest |
| ground | jord |
| interest | interesse |
| reach | nå |
| fast | hurtig |
| verb | udsagnsord |
| sing | synge |
| listen | lytte |
| six | seks |
| table | bord |
| travel | rejse |
| less | mindre |
| morning | morgen |
| ten | ti |
| simple | simpel |
| several | flere |
| vowel | vokal |
| toward | mod |
| war | krig |
| lay | lægge |
| against | imod |
| pattern | mønster |
| slow | langsom |
| center | centrum |
| love | kærlighed |
| person | person |
| money | penge |
| serve | tjene |
| appear | optræde |
| road | vej |
| map | kort |
| science | videnskab |
| rule | regel |
| govern | styre |
| pull | trække |
| cold | kold |
| notice | bemærke |
| voice | stemme |
| unit | enhed |
| power | kraft |
| town | by |
| fine | fin |
| certain | sikker |
| fly | flyve |
| fall | falde |
| lead | lede |
| cry | græde |
| dark | mørk |
| machine | maskine |
| note | note |
| wait | vente |
| plan | plan |
| figure | figur |
| star | stjerne |
| box | kasse |
| noun | navneord |
| field | mark |
| rest | hvile |
| correct | korrekt |
| able | i stand |
| pound | pund |
| done | gjort |
| beauty | skønhed |
| drive | køre |
| stood | stod |
| contain | indeholde |
| front | front |
| teach | undervise |
| week | uge |
| final | endelig |
| gave | gav |
| green | grøn |
| oh | åh |
| quick | hurtig |
| develop | udvikle |
| sleep | sove |
| warm | varm |
| free | fri |
| minute | minut |
| strong | stærk |
| special | speciel |
| mind | sind |
| behind | bagved |
| clear | klar |
| tail | hale |
| produce | producere |
| fact | faktum |
| street | gade |
| inch | tomme |
| multiply | multiplicere |
| nothing | intet |
| course | kursus |
| stay | blive |
| wheel | hjul |
| full | fuld |
| force | kraft |
| blue | blå |
| object | objekt |
| decide | beslutte |
| surface | overflade |
| deep | dyb |
| moon | måne |
| island | ø |
| foot | fod |
| system | system |
| busy | travl |
| test | test |
| record | registrere |
| boat | båd |
| common | almindelig |
| gold | guld |
| possible | mulig |
| plane | fly |
| stead | sted |
| dry | tør |
| wonder | undre |
| laugh | grine |
| thousand | tusind |
| ago | siden |
| ran | løb |
| check | tjekke |
| game | spil |
| shape | form |
| equate | sidestille |
| hot | varm |
| miss | miste |
| brought | bragte |
| heat | varme |
| snow | sne |
| tire | dæk |
| bring | bringe |
| yes | ja |
| distant | fjern |
| fill | fylde |
| east | øst |
| paint | male |
| language | sprog |
| among | blandt |
| grand | storslået |
| ball | bold |
| yet | endnu |
| wave | bølge |
| drop | dråbe |
| heart | hjerte |
| am | er |
| present | til stede |
| heavy | tung |
| dance | danse |
| engine | motor |
| position | position |
| arm | arm |
| wide | bred |
| sail | sejle |
| material | materiale |
| fraction | brøk |
| forest | skov |
| sit | sidde |
| race | løb |
| window | vindue |
| store | butik |
| summer | sommer |
| train | tog |
| sleep | sove |
| prove | bevise |
| lone | alene |
| leg | ben |
| exercise | øvelse |
| wall | væg |
| catch | fange |
| mount | montere |
| wish | ønske |
| sky | himmel |
| board | bræt |
| joy | glæde |
| winter | vinter |
| sat | sad |
| written | skrevet |
| wild | vild |
| instrument | instrument |
| kept | beholdt |
| glass | glas |
| grass | græs |
| cow | ko |
| job | job |
| edge | kant |
| sign | tegn |
| visit | besøge |
| past | fortid |
| soft | blød |
| fun | sjov |
| bright | lys |
| gas | gas |
| weather | vejr |
| month | måned |
| million | million |
| bear | bjørn |
| finish | afslutte |
| happy | glad |
| hope | håb |
| flower | blomst |
| clothe | klæde |
| strange | mærkelig |
| gone | gået |
| jump | hoppe |
| baby | baby |
| eight | otte |
| village | landsby |
| meet | møde |
| root | rod |
| buy | købe |
| raise | hæve |
| solve | løse |
| metal | metal |
| whether | om |
| push | skubbe |
| seven | syv |
| paragraph | afsnit |
| third | tredje |
| shall | skal |
| held | holdt |
| hair | hår |
| describe | beskrive |
| cook | lave mad |
| floor | gulv |
| either | enten |
| result | resultat |
| burn | brænde |
| hill | bakke |
| safe | sikker |
| cat | kat |
| century | århundrede |
| consider | overveje |
| type | type |
| law | lov |
| bit | smule |
| coast | kyst |
| copy | kopiere |
| phrase | sætning |
| silent | stille |
| tall | høj |
| sand | sand |
| soil | jord |
| roll | rulle |
| temperature | temperatur |
| finger | finger |
| industry | industri |
| value | værdi |
| fight | kæmpe |
| lie | ligge |
| beat | slå |
| excite | ophidse |
| natural | naturlig |
| view | udsigt |
| sense | sans |
| capital | hovedstad |
| won’t | vil ikke |
| chair | stol |
| danger | fare |
| fruit | frugt |
| rich | rig |
| thick | tyk |
| soldier | soldat |
| process | proces |
| operate | betjene |
| practice | øve |
| separate | separat |
| difficult | svær |
| doctor | læge |
| please | venligst |
| protect | beskytte |
| noon | middag |
| crop | afgrøde |
| modern | moderne |
| element | element |
| hit | ramme |
| student | studerende |
| corner | hjørne |
| party | fest |
| supply | forsyning |
| bone | knogle |
| rail | skinne |
| imagine | forestille |
| provide | give |
| agree | enig |
| thus | således |
| capital | kapital |
| won | vandt |
| measure | måle |
| station | station |
| tree | træ |
| sugar | sukker |
| chance | chance |
| electric | elektrisk |
| period | periode |
| produce | frembringe |
| mark | mærke |
| trykke | |
| condition | tilstand |
How to Study These Words Effectively
1. Master the Genders
In Danish, nouns are either fælleskøn (en) or intetkøn (et). When you learn a word like "bord" (table), never learn it in isolation. Always learn it as "et bord". This helps you apply correct adjective endings later.
2. Identify the Verbs
Focus on the high-frequency modal verbs included in this list: kan, vil, skal, må, and bør. These verbs are the "engines" of Danish sentences and allow you to express ability, desire, and obligation immediately.
3. Spaced Repetition (SRS)
Don't try to learn all 1000 at once. Break them into chunks of 20. Use flashcard apps or our interactive Practice Hub to test your recall daily.
4. Pronunciation is Key
Danish is famous for its "stød" and silent letters. Many of the most common words (like "det" or "meget") are not pronounced the way they are spelled. Use a native audio guide whenever possible.
Take Your Learning Offline
Want to practice without a screen? Download our printable PDF version of the 1000 Most Common Danish Words, organized by category (Nouns, Verbs, Adjectives).
Download Printable PDF (Free)Standard A4 format • Includes English translations • Version 4.2
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these words enough to pass the PD3 exam?▼
While these 1000 words provide a solid foundation, the PD3 exam requires more specialized vocabulary and a deep understanding of complex sentence structures (inversion and subordinate clauses). However, you cannot pass without mastering these core words first.
Why are there so many small words like "da" and "når"?▼
Danish relies heavily on conjunctions and adverbs to indicate time and logic. Learning the difference between "da" (past) and "når" (future/habitual) is one of the most important milestones for a beginner.