A1 Expression خنثی 1 دقیقه مطالعه

Hvad hedder du?

What is your name?

تمرین کن

Phrase in 30 Seconds

The essential Danish phrase for introducing yourself and meeting new people by asking for their name.

  • Means: 'What is your name?' (literally 'What are you called?')
  • Used in: Parties, classrooms, business meetings, and casual encounters.
  • Don't confuse: With 'Hvem er du?' which can sound confrontational like 'Who are you?'
🤝 + ❓ = 🇩🇰 'Hvad hedder du?'

توضیح در سطح شما:

This is one of the first things you learn! It means 'What is your name?'. 'Hvad' is 'What', 'hedder' is 'is called', and 'du' is 'you'. You use it to meet new friends. You can answer with 'Jeg hedder...' and then your name.
At this level, you should notice that 'hedder' is a special verb. We don't use 'er' (is) for names. You can also use it to ask about things, like 'Hvad hedder det på dansk?' (What is that called in Danish?). It is a very useful tool for learning more words.
You should now be comfortable with the V2 word order in this question. Notice how the subject 'du' comes after the verb 'hedder'. You might also start to hear the past tense 'Hvad hed...' when people talk about things that changed names, or the formal 'De' in very specific, rare contexts like period dramas or when meeting the Queen.
At the B2 level, you can appreciate the sociolinguistic shift of the 'Du-reform' in Denmark. Using 'Hvad hedder du?' is not just a question; it's an act of social leveling. You should also master the 'soft d' pronunciation in 'hedder', which distinguishes a fluent speaker from a beginner. You can use variations like 'Hvad kalder man dig?' to sound more idiomatic.
Advanced learners should analyze the verb 'at hedde' as a 'middle-voice' remnant in Germanic languages, where the subject is the recipient of the naming. You should be able to navigate the subtle nuances between 'Hvad hedder du?' and 'Hvad er dit navn?', choosing the latter for administrative or emphatic contexts. You should also be aware of regional dialectal variations in the pronunciation of 'hvad'.
Mastery involves understanding the pragmatic functions of the phrase in various Danish discourse markers. For instance, using the phrase with a specific intonation can signal a desire to move from a 'consultative' register to a 'casual' one. You can also explore the etymological links to the Proto-Indo-European root '*kēy-', meaning 'to set in motion', and how this evolved into the concept of 'calling' someone into a social presence through their name.

معنی

Asking for someone's name.

🌍

زمینه فرهنگی

The 'Du-reform' of the 1970s made 'Hvad hedder du?' the standard for everyone. Using 'De' today can actually make you seem distant or even sarcastic. In Greenland (part of the Kingdom of Denmark), names often have deep meanings related to nature or ancestors. Asking 'Hvad hedder du?' might lead to a story about the person's namesake. Faroese people often use patronymics or are closely knit. Asking for a name often leads to 'Who are your parents?' to establish a connection. Danes value efficiency. They will often skip long titles and go straight to 'Hvad hedder du?' to get the collaboration started.

💡

The Soft D

Don't pronounce the 'dd' in 'hedder' like an English 'd'. It's much softer, like the 'th' in 'this'.

⚠️

Don't use 'Hvem'

Even though you are asking about a person, Danish uses 'Hvad' (What) for names.

💡

The Soft D

Don't pronounce the 'dd' in 'hedder' like an English 'd'. It's much softer, like the 'th' in 'this'.

⚠️

Don't use 'Hvem'

Even though you are asking about a person, Danish uses 'Hvad' (What) for names.

🎯

Add 'nu igen'

If you forgot someone's name, add 'nu igen' (now again) to make it sound more natural and less awkward.

خودت رو بسنج

Fill in the missing word to ask for someone's name.

Hvad ______ du?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: hedder

'Hedder' is the present tense form of the verb used for names.

Which of these is the most natural way to introduce yourself and ask for a name?

Select the best option:

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Jeg hedder Peter. Hvad hedder du?

This uses the most natural Danish verb 'at hedde' for both introduction and inquiry.

Match the Danish question with its English meaning.

Match the following:

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: all

These are all correct translations of the verb 'at hedde' with different pronouns.

Complete the dialogue between two people meeting for the first time.

A: Hej! Jeg hedder Mette. B: Hej Mette. Jeg hedder Lars. A: ______?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Hyggeligt at møde dig

Since they have already exchanged names, the next logical step is 'Nice to meet you'.

🎉 امتیاز: /4

ابزارهای بصری یادگیری

بانک تمرین

5 تمرین‌ها
جواب درست رو انتخاب کن Fill Blank

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
Fill in the missing word to ask for someone's name. Fill Blank A1

Hvad ______ du?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: hedder

'Hedder' is the present tense form of the verb used for names.

Which of these is the most natural way to introduce yourself and ask for a name? Choose A1

Select the best option:

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Jeg hedder Peter. Hvad hedder du?

This uses the most natural Danish verb 'at hedde' for both introduction and inquiry.

Match the Danish question with its English meaning. Match A2

هر مورد سمت چپ را با جفتش در سمت راست مطابقت دهید:

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: all

These are all correct translations of the verb 'at hedde' with different pronouns.

Complete the dialogue between two people meeting for the first time. dialogue_completion A1

A: Hej! Jeg hedder Mette. B: Hej Mette. Jeg hedder Lars. A: ______?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Hyggeligt at møde dig

Since they have already exchanged names, the next logical step is 'Nice to meet you'.

🎉 امتیاز: /5

سوالات متداول

5 سوال

No, it is perfectly acceptable in Denmark. You can use it with the interviewer without any problem.

It's grammatically correct but sounds like you are reading from a passport. 'Hvad hedder du?' is the heartbeat of spoken Danish.

Simply say 'Jeg hedder [Your Name]'.

Yes! 'Hvad hedder den her by?' (What is this city called?) is very common.

The formal version is 'Hvad hedder De?', but you will likely never need to use it.

عبارات مرتبط

🔗

Jeg hedder...

builds on

My name is...

🔄

Hvad er dit navn?

synonym

What is your name?

🔗

Hyggeligt at møde dig

similar

Nice to meet you

🔗

Hvad kalder man dig?

specialized form

What do people call you?

کجا استفاده کنیم

🥳

At a Party

Person A: Hej! Fed fest. Hvad hedder du?

Person B: Jeg hedder Søren. Hvad med dig?

informal
🏫

First Day of School

Lærer: Velkommen! Hvad hedder du?

Elev: Jeg hedder Mette.

neutral
💼

Business Networking

Netværker: Interessant oplæg! Hvad hedder du?

Taler: Tak! Jeg hedder Thomas fra Novo Nordisk.

neutral
🏡

Meeting a Neighbor

Nabo A: Hej, jeg er lige flyttet ind. Hvad hedder du?

Nabo B: Velkommen til! Jeg hedder Karen.

neutral
🍷

On a Date

Date A: Du ser godt ud. Hvad hedder du egentlig til efternavn?

Date B: Haha, jeg hedder Jensen. Meget dansk, ikke?

informal
📞

Customer Service

Kunde: Må jeg spørge, hvad du hedder? Jeg vil gerne rose din service.

Medarbejder: Selvfølgelig, jeg hedder Louise.

formal

حفظ کنید

روش یادسپاری

Think of 'Hvad' as 'What' and 'Hedder' as 'Header'. Your name is the 'Header' of your life!

تداعی تصویری

Imagine a person wearing a giant name tag that says 'HEADER'. You point at it and ask 'Hvad Header du?'

Rhyme

Hvad hedder du? Jeg hedder Knud!

Story

You walk into a Danish bakery. You see a delicious pastry. You ask the baker, 'Hvad hedder du?' He laughs and says 'Jeg hedder Lars, men kagen hedder en Hindbærsnitte!'

In Other Languages

It is very similar to the German 'Wie heißt du?' and the Dutch 'Hoe heet je?'. All three use a specific verb for 'to be called' rather than 'to be'.

شبکه واژگان

NavnEfternavnFornavnKaldeHvemHvadPræsentationHilsen

چالش

Go to a Danish social media group or a language exchange app and ask three people 'Hej! Hvad hedder du?'

Review this phrase on day 1, 3, and 7. Focus on the soft 'd' sound in 'hedder'.

تلفظ

Stress Stress is on 'hedder'.

The 'h' is silent. The 'd' is often silent or very soft.

The 'dd' is a soft Danish 'd'.

A short, clear 'u' sound.

طیف رسمیت

رسمی
Hvad hedder De?

Hvad hedder De? (General introduction)

خنثی
Hvad hedder du?

Hvad hedder du? (General introduction)

غیر رسمی
Hvad hedder du?

Hvad hedder du? (General introduction)

عامیانه
Hvad kalder man dig?

Hvad kalder man dig? (General introduction)

The phrase comes from the Old Norse 'Hvat heitir þú?'. The verb 'heita' meant to be called or named.

Old Norse:
Middle Danish:
Modern Danish:

نکته جالب

The verb 'at hedde' is a 'stærkt verbum' (strong verb) in its origins, though it now behaves mostly regularly in the present tense.

نکات فرهنگی

The 'Du-reform' of the 1970s made 'Hvad hedder du?' the standard for everyone. Using 'De' today can actually make you seem distant or even sarcastic.

“Asking a CEO: 'Hvad hedder du?' is perfectly normal.”

In Greenland (part of the Kingdom of Denmark), names often have deep meanings related to nature or ancestors. Asking 'Hvad hedder du?' might lead to a story about the person's namesake.

“Hvad hedder du? Jeg hedder Pipaluk (meaning 'sweet little thing').”

Faroese people often use patronymics or are closely knit. Asking for a name often leads to 'Who are your parents?' to establish a connection.

“Hvad hedder du? Jeg hedder Jógvan.”

Danes value efficiency. They will often skip long titles and go straight to 'Hvad hedder du?' to get the collaboration started.

“In a meeting: 'Hej, jeg er projektlederen. Hvad hedder du?'”

شروع‌کننده‌های مکالمه

“

Hej! Jeg er ny her. Hvad hedder du?

“

Det er en sød hund! Hvad hedder den?

“

Jeg har glemt dit navn, undskyld. Hvad hedder du nu igen?

اشتباهات رایج

✗

Hvad er dit navn?

✓

Hvad hedder du?

literal translation
While not grammatically 'wrong', it sounds like a translation from English. 'Hvad hedder du?' is much more natural in 90% of cases.

L1 Interference

0 1
✗

Hvem hedder du?

✓

Hvad hedder du?

wrong context
Learners often use 'Hvem' (Who) because they think 'Who are you called?'. In Danish, you must use 'Hvad' (What).

L1 Interference

0 1
✗

Hvad hedder dig?

✓

Hvad hedder du?

wrong conjugation
Using the object pronoun 'dig' instead of the subject pronoun 'du'. The person 'is called', so they are the subject.

L1 Interference

0
✗

Hvad heder du?

✓

Hvad hedder du?

wrong conjugation
Spelling mistake: forgetting the double 'd'. This also affects pronunciation, as 'heder' would have a long 'e' sound.

L1 Interference

0

In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

¿Cómo te llamas?

Spanish is reflexive; Danish is not.

French moderate

Comment t'appelles-tu ?

French requires a reflexive pronoun ('t'').

German Very Similar

Wie heißt du?

German uses 'How', Danish uses 'What'.

Japanese Different

お名前は何ですか？ (O-namae wa nan desu ka?)

Japanese is noun-based and highly formal.

Arabic Different

ما اسمك؟ (Ma ismuka?)

Arabic uses a noun + possessive suffix.

Chinese moderate

你叫什么名字？ (Nǐ jiào shénme míngzì?)

Chinese often adds the word 'name' to the end.

Korean Different

이름이 뭐예요? (Ireumi mwoyeyo?)

Korean is noun-based and requires politeness levels.

Portuguese moderate

Como você se chama?

Portuguese is reflexive and uses 'How'.

Spotted in the Real World

📺

(2010)

“Hvad hedder du? Jeg hedder Birgitte.”

Meeting a constituent.

🎵

(Unknown)

“Hvad hedder du? Hvor bor du?”

A classic song for kids to learn names.

به‌راحتی اشتباه گرفته می‌شود

Hvad hedder du? در مقابل Hvem er du?

Learners think it's a synonym for asking a name.

Use 'Hvad hedder du' for names. Use 'Hvem er du' for identity or if you are suspicious of someone.

Hvad hedder du? در مقابل Hvad hedder det?

Using 'det' instead of 'du' when talking to a person.

'Det' is for things, 'Du' is for people.

سوالات متداول (5)

No, it is perfectly acceptable in Denmark. You can use it with the interviewer without any problem.

usage contexts

It's grammatically correct but sounds like you are reading from a passport. 'Hvad hedder du?' is the heartbeat of spoken Danish.

comparisons

Simply say 'Jeg hedder [Your Name]'.

basic understanding

Yes! 'Hvad hedder den her by?' (What is this city called?) is very common.

usage contexts

The formal version is 'Hvad hedder De?', but you will likely never need to use it.

grammar mechanics

Learning Path

Prerequisites

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