tak
/tak/
The English phrase 'thanks' is translated into Danish as tak.
tak is used to express appreciation or gratitude. When you want to thank someone for a specific thing, you follow the word with the preposition for, such as in the phrase tak for…
Meaning: used to express appreciation or gratitude (intj)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'many thanks' or 'thank you very much', use the phrase mange tak rather than adding an adjective to tak.
How do you pronounce it?
/tak/
When do people say it?
The standard response to tak is selv tak. While this literally means 'thanks yourself', it functions as 'you're welcome' or 'thanks to you too'.
Did you know?
- The Danish word tak has two completely different origins that merged into one spelling. One version is a direct relative of the English 'thank', while the other comes from an Old Low German word for a 'twig' or 'branch'.
- A Danish person might say tak for sidst, which literally means 'thanks for the last time', to thank someone for a previous meeting or event when they see them again.
- In Denmark, saying tak for mad after a meal is a deeply ingrained social requirement, regardless of whether the food was professionally prepared or a simple snack.
Examples in context
- Tak i lige måde.Thanks, same to you.This sentence shows how to use tak to return a sentiment to someone.Tatoeba #4955457 by danepo, translation #5881781 by astru
- Tak for dit svar.Thanks for your reply.This sentence demonstrates using tak to express gratitude for a specific item.Tatoeba #476975 by danepo, translation #64012 by CK
- Tak endnu en gang!Thanks again.This sentence shows how to use tak to express gratitude a second time.Tatoeba #10265681 by danepo, translation #2649233 by CK
- Tak for invitationenThanks for the invitation.
- Mange tak for din hjælpThanks a lot for your help.
- Tusind tak for gavenA thousand thanks for the gift.
- Tak skal du have for din venlighedThank you for your kindness.
- 46 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mads and Emma are finishing a coffee together.
- MadsTak for kaffen.Thanks for the coffee.
- EmmaSelv tak, Mads.You're welcome, Mads.
- MadsDet var et hyggeligt besøg.It was a lovely visit.
- EmmaTak for i dag.Thanks for today.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “thanks” translations and entries tak, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tak, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
