ost
/ˈost/common gender
The Danish word for cheese is ost.
ost is a noun used to refer to the dairy product. It is a common-gender noun.
Meaning: dairy product (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular indefinite form is ost. To refer to a specific piece of cheese, use the definite form osten. When referring to multiple pieces or types of cheese, use the plural form oste. If you are referring to specific types of cheeses, use the definite plural form ostene.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈost/
When do people say it?
While ost refers to the food, the word appelsin is used as a playful substitute for "cheese" when someone is being photographed, similar to how English speakers say "cheese" in pictures.
Did you know?
- While ost means 'cheese', the identical spelling and pronunciation of øst means 'east'.
- In Denmark, ost is frequently paired with syltetøj, which is jam, as a common breakfast combination.
- Danes traditionally eat a smørrebrød, an open-faced sandwich where a slice of ost is often a primary layer rather than a filling between bread.
Examples in context
- Han har smør og ost.He has butter and cheese.This example shows how to use ost in a list of food items.Tatoeba #1764393 by danepo, translation #2809831 by ExponentialYoghurt
- Månen er lavet af ost.The moon is made of cheese.This example uses ost in a common whimsical phrase.Tatoeba #11641452 by danepo, translation #6694900 by Eccles17
- Osten er lavet af komælk.The cheese is made from cow's milk.This example uses ost to describe the composition of a food product.Tatoeba #12139383 by MyWay, translation #10646490 by sundown
- Jeg vil gerne have noget ost, tak.I would like some cheese, please.
- Hvad slags ost foretrækker du?What kind of cheese do you prefer?
- Har du lyst til at smage noget ost?Do you want to try some cheese?
- Jeg elsker at lave sandwiches med ost og skinke.I love making sandwiches with cheese and ham.
- Kan du anbefale en god ost til ostebrættet?Can you recommend a good cheese for the cheese platter?
- Må jeg bede om lidt mere ost?May I ask for some more cheese?
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofie and Lucas are at a grocery store.
- SofieSkal vi købe ost?Should we buy cheese?
- LucasJa, vi mangler ost.Yes, we need cheese.
- SofieVil du have en bestemt ost?Do you want a specific cheese?
- LucasJeg vil gerne have denne ost.I would like this cheese.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cheese” translations and entries ost, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ost, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
