jeg hedder …
The English phrase "my name is" is expressed in Danish as jeg hedder …
This phrase is used to identify yourself to others.
Meaning: a way to identify oneself (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase jeg hedder literally translates to "I am called".
Which one should you use?
You might be tempted to use mit navn er, which is a literal translation of "my name is", but jeg hedder is much more common and natural in spoken Danish.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb hedder is the present tense form of hedde, used to state one's name.
Did you know?
- The verb hedder is a linguistic relative of the English word 'hail', as both derive from an ancient root meaning to call or greet.
- In some traditional Danish contexts, identifying oneself might involve a handshake and direct eye contact, as avoiding eye contact while saying jeg hedder can be perceived as untrustworthy.
- Danish pronunciation of jeg is often so soft that in rapid speech, it can sound almost like a mere 'ya' or 'j'. This can make it difficult for beginners to hear exactly when a person is starting to introduce themselves.
Examples in context
- Mit navn er Anna Jensen.My name is Anna Jensen.
- Jeg hedder Lars Andersen.I am called Lars Andersen.
- Jeg æ' Michael Jørgensen.I am called Michael Jørgensen.
- Jeg hedder Mads.My name is Mads.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “my name is” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
