smuk
/smok/
The English word 'beautiful' is translated into Danish as smuk.
Smuk is a common way to say 'beautiful' in Danish when describing both people and things. If you wish to express beauty in a more refined and sophisticated manner, you can use the word 'elegant'.
Meaning: attractive (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The form smuk is the base form used for common gender and neuter nouns. When the adjective modifies a plural noun or a noun in the definite form, use smukke. If you are modifying a neuter singular noun in the indefinite form, use smukt.
How do you pronounce it?
/smok/
Did you know?
- Historically, smuk is related to a word meaning 'to crawl' or 'to creep'. This suggests that 'beauty' was once linked to the idea of something being lithe or supple.
- The word smuk can be used ironically in Danish to describe a situation that is 'beautifully' disastrous. In this context, it functions similarly to the English 'just great'.
- In Danish, the concept of beauty is often linked to the word hyggelig. A room might be described as smuk, but if it feels cozy and inviting, hyggelig is the higher compliment.
Examples in context
- Du er så smuk!You're so beautiful!This sentence is useful for expressing that someone is beautiful using smuk.Tatoeba #1747926 by danepo, translation #385394 by Mouseneb
- Min mor er smuk.My mother is beautiful.This sentence is useful for describing a person's beauty using smuk.Tatoeba #626730 by danepo, translation #250277 by CK
- Mary er så smuk.Mary is so beautiful.This sentence is useful for emphasizing how beautiful a person is using smuk.Tatoeba #10586263 by danepo, translation #10586253 by CK
- En smuk solnedgangA beautiful sunset
- Du ser smuk udYou look beautiful
- Et skjønt smilA lovely smile
- Du ser virkelig flot udYou look really beautiful
- Du ser lækker udYou look amazing
- Du ser smaddersmuk udYou look absolutely stunning
- Du ser virkelig flot ud i den kjoleYou look really beautiful in that dress
- Jeg synes, du er smaddersmukI think you are absolutely stunning
- 209 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Freja are looking at a view from a mountain.
- LucasSolen er meget smuk i dag.The sun is very beautiful today.
- FrejaJa, det er en smuk udsigt.Yes, it is a beautiful view.
- LucasNaturen her er virkelig smuk.The nature here is truly beautiful.
- FrejaDet er meget smukt, Lucas.It is very beautiful, Lucas.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “beautiful” translations and entries smuk, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries smuk, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
