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Updated July 22, 2026
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Worried you’ll use the wrong word at a dinner party or on paperwork? Use this quick guide so you refer to people from Denmark correctly and respectfully.
- Demonym (noun): Danes
- Adjective (relating to Denmark): Danish
- Language: Danish (Dansk); English widely spoken
- Population of Denmark: around 6 million
Denmark and its People
Denmark is a compact country in Northern Europe with a long history – from the Viking period to a modern welfare state. If you live here or plan to move, you’ll meet people who identify primarily as Danes (dansker in Danish), but that national label sits on top of a few important nuances: regional accents and identities, and the distinct peoples of Greenland and the Faroe Islands who are part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
The society is often described as egalitarian, and the state provides universal services that shape everyday life. Understanding who to call a Dane and what “Danish” covers helps you avoid awkward mistakes and shows cultural respect.
Terminology for People from Denmark
The simple answer: people from Denmark are called “Danes” (English noun) and you describe something from Denmark as “Danish” (adjective). In Danish, the word is dansker (person) and dansk (adjective).
- Correct: “She is a Dane.” / “He is Danish.”
- Danish (adjective) covers language, food, culture: Danish design, Danish pastry, Danish law.
Be careful not to assume every person connected to the Kingdom of Denmark calls themselves Danish. People from Greenland and the Faroe Islands commonly identify as Greenlandic (Kalaallit) or Faroese, respectively – those are distinct ethnic and cultural identities even though they hold Danish citizenship in many cases.
Don’t call Greenlanders or Faroese people “Danes” unless they identify that way themselves.
Also note there are informal local labels: someone from Copenhagen may be called a Copenhagener or “københavner” in Danish; someone from Jutland might say they’re from Jutland (Jylland). These are regional, not national replacements.
Language in Denmark
Danish (Dansk) is the national language and part of the North Germanic branch, closely related to Norwegian and Swedish. For newcomers, English works almost everywhere – Danes learn English early – but using a few Danish words goes a long way socially and professionally.
If you want to learn or improve Danish, pick methods that fit your schedule: apps, books, or classes. Two practical resources on Denmark Expat are the apps to learn Danish and recommendations for books to learn Danish.
Remember also that Greenland and the Faroe Islands have their own primary languages (Kalaallisut and Faroese). Danish is often used in official contexts across the Kingdom .
Regional Variation Within Denmark
Although Denmark is geographically small, people often identify with a region or city as well as the national identity. The main regions are Jutland (Jylland), Funen (Fyn), and Zealand (Sjælland, where Copenhagen sits), plus several islands like Bornholm.
- Accents and dialects: Rural Jutland accents (jysk) sound noticeably different to Copenhagen speech. Some dialects are harder to understand for non-natives.
- Urban vs rural: Copenhageners can be perceived as more cosmopolitan; rural communities often emphasise local ties.
- Local identity won’t usually replace “Dane,” but you’ll hear people say they’re from a town or island first.
Those regional labels are useful in conversation – they show attentiveness to local identity without overriding the national term “Dane.”
Danish Diaspora
There are active Danish communities outside Denmark – in the US, Canada, Australia, the UK and elsewhere. These people are often called Danish expats or overseas Danes. If you meet someone described this way, they typically retain cultural ties to Denmark but mix them with local culture.
If you’re moving to or from Denmark, practical requirements like visas and work permits affect how long you stay and whether you join an expatriate community. For details on legal requirements if you plan to move, see our guide to a work permit in Denmark.
Perception of Danish People Internationally
Internationally, Danes are often associated with progressive politics, strong social safety nets, high trust in institutions, minimalist design, and the cultural idea of “hygge” (cozy, comfortable living). Those are useful shorthand descriptions, but they’re generalisations – individual Danes will disagree with or exceed those labels in many ways.
When meeting people from Denmark, it’s better to use the simple, correct demonym (Dane/Danish) and then learn how each person prefers to identify (region, mixed heritage, or another label).
Memorise the basics: call them Danes, call the culture/language Danish, and try a Danish greeting. If you’re preparing to move, read our New to Denmark guide and start learning Danish with an app or a book.