VOTE: Which of these 10 finalists is the best word in the Danish language?
The Local's readers nominated more than 45 Danish words to our competition. Here's a final shortlist – it's now time to pick a winner.
Thanks to everyone who took part in the first round of voting. The final shortlist is based on the number of nominations the words received, with our jury given the final say whenever a tiebreaker was needed.
Click below to upvote your favourite.
VOTE: What's the best word in the Danish language?
Upvote your favourite word and help The Local pick the best word in the Danish language.
Kæreste
Translating literally to 'dearest', kæreste "can be anyone who you love regardless of sex or gender, instead of calling (them) boyfriend or girlfriend in English. How lovely to say 'min kæreste' without any hesitation or boundary" explains Helen in Copenhagen, one of the readers who nominated it.
Ø
No man or woman should be an island, but the Danish word for 'island' is just that in a visual sense, consisting as it does of a single letter: the aesthetically pleasing Ø.
Overspringshandling
An activity used to kill time or avoid doing work or other chores which you really should be getting on with. Overspringshandling is "very descriptive", Caroline in Copenhagen noted.
Flodhest
The Danish word for 'hippopotamus' translates literally to 'river horse'. Hippopotamus is a common word in many languages, but "Denmark stands apart with its gracious translation of these gentle giants", writes Monica in Copenhagen, and we're inclined to agree.
Lykke
One of the most popular nominations we received, lykke can mean both 'happiness' or 'luck' and is also a girl's name. "Sometimes to be happy you need to be lucky", as Valeria from Frederiksberg eloquently puts it.
Skat
We were surprised to see this word nominated, given it means 'tax'. It is also a term of endearment, though, which probably explains it. But can you imagine calling your sweetheart 'Tax'?!
Forelsket
The theme of love is strong in our readers' nominations. Forelsket translates to 'in love'. Its connotations are "deep and romantic", wrote one of our readers in nominating it.
Pyt
This word was a popular choice for nominees, and is used as a comment to mean something like 'never mind': 'I forgot to wash my coffee cup before I went out this morning. Pyt!' It's "important to choose your battles wisely and sometimes the best response is just to shrug your shoulders and say 'pyt!'," writes reader Anita.
Tak
The Danish word for 'thank you' received several nominations. Heard "every day several times", according to Abhay in Vanløse, it received praise for being short and polite.
Hygge
Yes, the most famous Danish word of them all is amongst our nominations, evidence that readers are yet to tire of it. So what does it actually mean? More on that here.
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Thanks to everyone who took part in the first round of voting. The final shortlist is based on the number of nominations the words received, with our jury given the final say whenever a tiebreaker was needed.
Click below to upvote your favourite.
VOTE: What's the best word in the Danish language?
Upvote your favourite word and help The Local pick the best word in the Danish language.
Kæreste
Translating literally to 'dearest', kæreste "can be anyone who you love regardless of sex or gender, instead of calling (them) boyfriend or girlfriend in English. How lovely to say 'min kæreste' without any hesitation or boundary" explains Helen in Copenhagen, one of the readers who nominated it.
Ø
No man or woman should be an island, but the Danish word for 'island' is just that in a visual sense, consisting as it does of a single letter: the aesthetically pleasing Ø.
Overspringshandling
An activity used to kill time or avoid doing work or other chores which you really should be getting on with. Overspringshandling is "very descriptive", Caroline in Copenhagen noted.
Flodhest
The Danish word for 'hippopotamus' translates literally to 'river horse'. Hippopotamus is a common word in many languages, but "Denmark stands apart with its gracious translation of these gentle giants", writes Monica in Copenhagen, and we're inclined to agree.
Lykke
One of the most popular nominations we received, lykke can mean both 'happiness' or 'luck' and is also a girl's name. "Sometimes to be happy you need to be lucky", as Valeria from Frederiksberg eloquently puts it.
Skat
We were surprised to see this word nominated, given it means 'tax'. It is also a term of endearment, though, which probably explains it. But can you imagine calling your sweetheart 'Tax'?!
Forelsket
The theme of love is strong in our readers' nominations. Forelsket translates to 'in love'. Its connotations are "deep and romantic", wrote one of our readers in nominating it.
Pyt
This word was a popular choice for nominees, and is used as a comment to mean something like 'never mind': 'I forgot to wash my coffee cup before I went out this morning. Pyt!' It's "important to choose your battles wisely and sometimes the best response is just to shrug your shoulders and say 'pyt!'," writes reader Anita.
Tak
The Danish word for 'thank you' received several nominations. Heard "every day several times", according to Abhay in Vanløse, it received praise for being short and polite.
Hygge
Yes, the most famous Danish word of them all is amongst our nominations, evidence that readers are yet to tire of it. So what does it actually mean? More on that here.
Quiz Maker - powered by Riddle
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