Languages of Denmark

The Danish Realm does not name an official language in its laws, but most people speak Danish. Danish is the main language in Denmark proper. In the Faroe Islands, people use both Danish and Faroese. In Greenland, the official language is Greenlandic, but people can also use Danish for important matters.

Danish is the first language for most people in Denmark. Other languages spoken there include Arabic, English, and German. Almost everyone—87% of people—can speak English, and many also know German, Swedish, or French. This makes Denmark a place where many languages are welcome and used every day.

Recognized minority languages

German people moved to Denmark around the 12th century for jobs, especially in cities like Copenhagen. Many German workers and traders settled there, and German became a common language in some places.

Over time, German was used in important places like documents, churches, and schools. But as Denmark became more proud of its culture, people started using Danish more. After Denmark lost some land in 1864, a smaller group of German speakers stayed in northern areas. Today, there are still German-speaking communities, especially around Tønder and Aabenraa, who keep their language alive while also speaking Danish.

Minority languages

Dutch

In the 16th century, King Christian II of Denmark invited Dutch farmers to live in Amager and other parts of Denmark. They helped with farming. Over time, their language mixed with Low German, High German, and Danish. By the 19th century, most people spoke Danish instead.

Frisian

North Frisian was once spoken near the German border and in Tønder. By the 17th century, it was mostly used between the Danish-German border and Højer. Even in the 1930s, some families still spoke Frisian. After World War II, only a few older people still knew the language.

Polish

Polish people came to Denmark to work on farms in Lolland-Falster and South Zealand between 1893 and 1929. They brought their language with them, and some Polish words became part of Danish. After World War I, Polish immigrants started schools to teach their language. When Poland joined the European Union in 2004, more Polish people came to Denmark.

Romani

Romani languages have a small presence in Denmark. There have been a few books and school materials in Romani, but the language is not officially recognized. Some people in Denmark are descendants of Romani families.

Russian

Russian-speaking people came to Denmark in two main waves. First, Jewish immigrants from Russia arrived around 1900. Later, after the October Revolution in 1917, Russian aristocrats and professionals settled in Denmark. They kept using Russian in their families and communities.

Yiddish

Yiddish-speaking Jews came to Denmark starting in 1640. By the late 1700s, many Jewish people lived in Copenhagen. Over time, Yiddish was used less in official documents and schools, which started teaching Hebrew instead. In the early 1900s, thousands of Jewish migrants passed through Copenhagen, and some settled there. They helped keep Yiddish alive until the mid-1950s.