skat
/skat/
The Danish word for darling is skat.
skat is an informal term of endearment used to address someone who is very dear to you, functioning similarly to the English sweetheart.
Meaning: often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word skat literally means treasure.
Which one should you use?
While the English word darling can sometimes feel slightly old-fashioned or formal, skat is the standard and everyday way to address a loved one in Danish.
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as a term of address, skat is used for both singular and plural forms.
How do you pronounce it?
/skat/
Did you know?
- The history of skat traces back to Old Norse words for 'cattle', meaning that calling someone a 'darling' is etymologically linked to the concept of livestock.
- In Danish, the word skat is also the official word for 'tax'. This means a sentence can technically describe someone as both a 'treasure' and a 'tax payment' depending on the context.
- The word skat shares a common root with the English word 'scot', as in the archaic phrase 'scot-free', which originally referred to a tax payment.
Examples in context
- Godaften, skat!Good evening, darling!This sentence is useful for seeing how to use skat in a greeting.Tatoeba #8770783 by danepo, translation #6586698 by Eccles17
- Hej, kære! Hvordan har din dag været?Hello, darling! How has your day been?
- Elskede, din kærlighed betyder alt for mig.Darling, your love means everything to me.
- Hej skat! Hvad har du lyst til at lave i dag?Hi darling! What would you like to do today?
- Jeg elsker dig, skat.I love you, darling.
- Kom herover, skat.Come here, darling.
Example conversation
A couple is relaxing on the sofa in the evening.
- SofieEr du træt, skat?Are you tired, darling?
- MadsJa, jeg er meget træt.Yes, I am very tired.
- SofieSkal vi ikke se en film?Shall we not watch a movie?
- MadsDet lyder som en god idé.That sounds like a good idea.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry skat, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries skat, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
