Start here: a quick, doable routine
If you’re a beginner, momentum matters more than marathon study. Aim for 10–20 minutes a day, every day. Short, focused sessions help you learn Danish steadily while keeping stress low. Consistency is the secret that turns beginners into confident speakers.
Use a simple two-part routine: a fast warm-up, then one focused skill. The warm-up builds recall; the focus block creates real progress. You can do it all online, and most tools are free.
If you miss a day, don’t worry. Just pick up the routine again next session. Your only real need is consistency.
- 2 minutes: review yesterday’s words (flashcards or notes).
- 5–10 minutes: pronunciation or listening mini-task.
- 5–8 minutes: grammar or phrase practice with examples.
- Bonus: jot new phrases into a tiny PDF or notebook.
The Danish basics that unlock A1–A2
Danish looks familiar to English speakers, but sound and rhythm are different. Start by training your ear for vowels and the famous soft d, then add small chunks of grammar. As a beginner, you don’t need all the rules—just the ones that help you speak simple sentences now.
Focus on high-frequency words and set phrases for greetings, ordering, directions, time, and daily routines. Learn patterns, not isolated words. One strong pattern can generate dozens of useful sentences.
- Pronunciation: long vs. short vowels, soft d (as in “mad”), and the glottal stop (stød).
- Grammar: S-V-O word order, yes/no questions, en vs. et, plurals, and basic prepositions.
- Survival phrases: greeting, introducing yourself, numbers, times, prices, transport, food.
- Mini-goal: build 20 core verbs (at være, at have, at gå, at kunne…) and reuse them daily.
Free online resources and handy PDFs
You can learn Danish online for free using a mix of apps, videos, and PDF sheets. Combine one core app with one audio source and one printable reference. This gives you words, sound, and structure—all you need to cover beginner goals.
As you study, save key vocabulary and short dialogues into a compact PDF you can review offline. Keep it under 3 pages so you’ll actually use it.
- Apps and sites: beginner-friendly courses and word lists with spaced repetition.
- Audio: podcasts or YouTube for slow Danish, subtitles, and everyday topics.
- Pronunciation help: online dictionaries with audio and native speaker examples.
- Grammar quick guides: free PDF summaries of word order, en/et, and common phrases.
- Community: language exchange groups for short, supportive speaking practice.
A 30-day plan you can finish
This beginner plan fits busy schedules and keeps each step clear. Expect 15 minutes most days, with one slightly longer review day each week. If a day runs long, stop early and return tomorrow—progress beats perfection.
By the end, you’ll handle introductions, simple questions, numbers, times, and basic daily needs. You won’t know it all, but you’ll be solidly A1 and moving toward A2.
- Week 1: alphabet, key sounds, greetings, I/you/he/she, en vs. et, numbers 1–20.
- Week 2: present tense verbs, yes/no questions, café phrases, polite requests.
- Week 3: times, days, transport, directions, prices, plural nouns, basic prepositions.
- Week 4: daily routines, likes/dislikes, invitations, simple past, stød awareness.
- Weekly review: one 30–40 minute session to test yourself and update your PDF.
FAQ
- How many minutes a day do I need to learn Danish as a beginner?
- Start with 10–20 minutes daily. That’s enough to build habits, grow vocabulary, and train pronunciation without burnout. Add one longer review (30–40 minutes) weekly to consolidate and test yourself.
- Is learning Danish online free actually effective?
- Yes—if you mix input (listening/reading), output (speaking/writing), and spaced repetition. Use one core course, one audio source, and a small PDF of your notes. Keep sessions short and consistent.
- Do I need a teacher for A1–A2?
- Not necessarily. Many beginners reach A1–A2 using free online tools, plus occasional language exchange. A teacher helps with pronunciation and accountability, but it’s optional if your routine is steady.
- Are PDFs enough to learn Danish grammar?
- PDF summaries are great for quick references, but they’re not enough alone. Pair them with listening practice, speaking drills, and example sentences so you can use the rules in real conversation.
- What’s the best first thing to learn?
- Train your ear: vowels, soft d, and basic rhythm. Then learn set phrases for greetings, introductions, and ordering. Mastering sound early makes all later grammar and vocabulary much easier.