https://www.youtube.com/embed/M5Qf8za8s4s Carnival is a Christian holiday that’s celebrated in numerous countries, so it should come as no surprise that Denmark—a nation with a roughly 75% Christian population and a long history of spirituality—observes it, too.  Called Fastelavn in Denmark, this holiday shares many things in common with Carnival celebrations in other countries as well as Western Halloween traditions. But there are some...fascinating...components of the Danish version that may surprise you!  Are you ready to delve into this fun holiday and pick up some new Danish vocabulary? 1. What is Fastelavn?  Fastelavn is the Danish version of the traditionally Catholic holiday of Carnival. It... Show more

What would you say to lift the spirits of a special person you know? No doubt, you have dozens of kind words that come to mind in English, but do you know many compliments in Danish? A compliment can be described as a polite expression of praise, admiration, encouragement or congratulations. It’s sometimes used in absolute sincerity and sometimes to flatter, but either way, human beings love to receive compliments! Table of Contents The Importance of Compliments Compliments you always want to hear Conclusion 1. The Importance of Compliments Giving and receiving compliments is so important in society, that you can be considered rude if you’re a person who never acknowledges anyone. We all need to hear words of affirmation to... Show more

Anger is a natural response to pain of some sort; when you’re angry, you’re angry with a cause and want someone to pay! It’s so much harder when you’re traveling, because your routines are off-kilter, there’s culture shock to deal with and the smallest problems can seem overwhelming. How do you handle someone who’s just pushed your last button? At home, we often have a go-to person who is good at calming us down, but emotions are tricky to deal with in a foreign country. Sometimes people may treat you unfairly, but you’re completely baffled as to why. You have to remember that people in think differently to how you do and it’s not impossible to inadvertently cause offense. Don’t stress about it too much, because you’ll adapt! Once you... Show more

What is the most defining moment you will face this year? From memories that you immortalize in a million photographs, to days you never wish to remember, one thing's for certain: big life events change you. The great poet, Bukowski, said, "We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well, that death will tremble to take us." The older I get, the more I agree with him! Talking about significant events in our lives is part of every person's journey, regardless of creed or culture. If you're planning to stay in for more than a quick visit, you're sure to need at least a few 'life events' phrases that you can use. After all, many of these are shared experiences, and it's generally expected that we will show up with good manners... Show more

Epiphany, or Three Kings Day, in Denmark is a Christian holiday celebrated by the religious and non-religious alike. In this article, you’ll learn how the Danish celebrate Epiphany and the stories behind this festive holiday. At DanishClass101.com, it’s our goal to make every aspect of your language-learning journey both fun and informative—starting with this article! Are you ready? Let’s get started and delve into the Danish version of the Epiphany holiday. 1. What is Epiphany in Denmark? Epiphany celebrates the revelation of Christ Jesus as a divine being to those around him. In Denmark, this holiday specifically focuses on the visit of the three wise men, or Magi, to witness the birth of Jesus and present him with... Show more

Did you know there are many different types of calendars? As you probably know - a calendar is a system of organizing days in weeks and months for specific purposes, according to Wikipedia. Worldwide, most countries use the Gregorian calendar. Some just work on the same framework, meaning that time is divided into units based on the earth's movement around the sun - the "solar calendar". Other calendars keep time by observing the moon's movements, a combination of the moon and the sun's movements, and seasons. Through DanishClass101, you can learn all about this and so much more! Our themed, culturally relevant lessons are skillfully designed so you can do your planning perfectly for a holiday or a date. Having a good plan for a visit... Show more

Did you know that only some reptiles and birds don't parent their offspring? Except for crocodiles, all reptiles (and one family of bird species called megapodes) hatch from eggs and grow up alone, without any family. The rest of us need family if we are to survive and thrive - humans and animals alike! At DanishClass101, we know how important family is. Therefore, we take care to teach you all the important vocabulary and phrases pertaining to family. Table of Contents Why Is It Important to Know Danish Vocabulary about Family? Learn a New Culture? Learn its Family Vocab first How DanishClass101 Can Help You Learn Danish Family Terms 1. Why Is It Important to Know Danish Vocabulary about Family? Well, if you're serious... Show more

St. Lucy’s Day is a festive, cozy holiday in Denmark, celebrated not long before Christmas each year. In this article, you’ll learn all about St. Lucy’s Day, from who Lucy was to how Danish people celebrate the holiday today. At DanishClass101.com, we aim to make every aspect of your language-learning process both fun and informative—starting with this article! Are you ready? Let’s go. 1. What is St. Lucy’s Day? The Danish celebrate St. Lucy’s Day in the same month as Christmas, but don’t be fooled! This holiday, and the woman it’s named after, really have nothing to do with Christmas. So who was Lucy? Read the following Danish text to find out, and then test your reading skills against the English text directly below... Show more

You're learning to speak Danish, and it's going well. Your confidence is growing! So much so that you feel ready to share your experiences on social media—in Danish. At Learn Danish, we make this easy for you to get it right the first time. Post like a boss with these phrases and guidelines, and get to practice your Danish in the process. 1. Talking about Your Restaurant Visit in Danish Eating out is fun, and often an experience you'd like to share. Take a pic, and start a conversation on social media in Danish. Your friend will be amazed by your language skills...and perhaps your taste in restaurants! Hans eats at a restaurant with his friends, posts an image of the group eating, and leaves this comment: POST Let's break down... Show more

Father's Day (or Fars Dag), admittedly, isn't the most celebrated of Danish holidays, but that doesn't mean that Danish fathers are left out in the cold! Keeping in mind that it takes place on the same date as the Constitution Day of Denmark, the honor and appreciation fathers are shown means that much more. At DanishClass101.com, we hope to make learning about Danish holidays and traditions both fun and informative! After all, learning about a country's culture is a vital step forward in mastering the language. So let's get started! 1. What is Father’s Day in Denmark? Father's Day is easily overlooked because of Constitution Day, as both fall on June 5 every year. The day is in many ways similar to Mother's Day, but... Show more