There’s no exact translation for ‘please’ in Danish. But that doesn’t mean Danes are rude.

More than merely an interesting quirk, the lack of “please” in Danish can sometimes help to explain social norms.

It also means that the right word, phrase or expression that should be deployed to convey a polite request depends a lot more on context than it does in English.

So how do you say it?

Tak

In many instances, the best appropriation for ‘please’ in Danish is in fact ‘thank you’, tak.

If you want to make a quick but polite coffee order, for example, en kop kaffe, tak (‘a cup of coffee, thanks’) is perfectly acceptable. 

It can also be used in a firm but friendly command, such as one a school teacher might give: fødderne nede fra bordet, tak! (‘feet off the table, please!’).

Venligst

To be venlig is to be friendly: a ven is a friend. Venligst is the superlative form of the word: the “most friendly”.

It can also be used as part of a polite request – often in writing and more formal and polite than using tak. 

Vær så venlig at lukke døren, for example, means “be so kind as to close the door”.

The superlative venligst can fill in as a contraction for venlig in sentences like these. Luk venligst døren has the exact same meaning — “be so kind as to close the door” — but uses the imperative form of the verb at lukke (“to close”).

READ ALSO: Danish word of the day: Venligst

Må jeg bede om

You can also say må jeg bede om en kop kaffe (“May I ask for a cup of coffee”) to order your cup of coffee. You’ll certainly be thought of as polite if you say this, but it’s not considered necessary.

This formulation is probably the most polite way to ask for something in everyday speech, since venligst is primarily a written form. It’s good for being respectful in cafes and restaurants, and you’d also make a good impression when having dinner with your in-laws by saying må jeg bede om saltet (“please pass me the salt”).

READ ALSO: Six ways to make a great impression at a Danish home

Please

Sometimes, the best Danish substitute for ‘please’ is… please.

In casual and informal situations, particularly among younger people or in international contexts, the English word “please” is dropped seamlessly into an otherwise fully Danish sentences.

It can come across as desperate – a last resort when every other form of request has failed. Vil du ikke please lade være med at gøre det der (‘will you please stop doing that!’) might be the follow-up if the unruly children in our hypothetical classroom don’t remove their feet from the table right away.

You might also hear older children using it on their parents: Far, må jeg please få en is! (‘Dad, can I please have an ice cream!’) is probably something many a Danish parent has heard this summer.