Meaning
Asking for news.
Cultural Background
Danes value 'uformelhed' (informality). You can use this with almost anyone you've met before, including teachers or bosses, without sounding rude. In Greenlandic Danish, the phrase is used but often followed by a longer silence, as people take time to consider if there actually is anything worth reporting. In the US, 'What's up?' is often a synonym for 'Hello'. In Denmark, 'Hvad er nyt?' is a real question. If you ask it, be prepared to listen to the answer. The 'Kaffepause' (coffee break) is the prime time for this phrase. It's the social glue of the Danish office.
The 'Hos' Trick
Add 'hos dig' to make it more personal and friendly.
Don't over-use
If you see someone every day, 'Hvad er nyt?' might be too much. Use 'Hvad så?' instead.
Meaning
Asking for news.
The 'Hos' Trick
Add 'hos dig' to make it more personal and friendly.
Don't over-use
If you see someone every day, 'Hvad er nyt?' might be too much. Use 'Hvad så?' instead.
The Modest Answer
Danes often answer 'Ikke så meget' even if they just won the lottery. It's part of the culture!
Test Yourself
Complete the phrase with the correct form of 'new'.
Hej! Hvad er ___?
'Hvad' is neuter, so 'ny' must become 'nyt'.
Which response is the most natural for a Dane?
Hvad er nyt?
This is the standard modest and polite way to return the question.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Hvad er nyt på jobbet?
'Jobbet' means work, so it fits a professional context.
Fill in the missing line.
A: Hej! Det er længe siden! B: Ja, hej! ________ A: Jeg har fået en ny hund!
The answer 'I got a new dog' shows that B asked for news.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Hvad er nyt? vs Hvordan går det?
Practice Bank
4 exercisesHej! Hvad er ___?
'Hvad' is neuter, so 'ny' must become 'nyt'.
Hvad er nyt?
This is the standard modest and polite way to return the question.
Hvad er nyt på jobbet?
'Jobbet' means work, so it fits a professional context.
A: Hej! Det er længe siden! B: Ja, hej! ________ A: Jeg har fået en ny hund!
The answer 'I got a new dog' shows that B asked for news.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsYes, in most Danish workplaces, it is perfectly acceptable and shows a friendly, flat hierarchy.
Because 'hvad' is a neuter pronoun, and adjectives must agree with the gender of the noun/pronoun they describe.
Say 'Ikke det store' (Not much) or 'Det sædvanlige' (The usual).
Only in very casual emails to people you know well. For formal emails, use 'Jeg håber, du har det godt'.
Usually no. It's a silent letter in this context.
Yes, they have very similar versions: 'Hva er nytt?' (Norwegian) and 'Vad är nytt?' (Swedish).
'Hvad så?' is much more casual, like 'Sup?', while 'Hvad er nyt?' is a bit more of a real question.
Yes, but 'Hvad er nyt hos dig?' sounds slightly more natural to native ears.
It's both! It functions as a greeting that invites a short update.
No, it's better to use 'Hvordan går det?' or just 'Hej' for new acquaintances.
Use 'Hvad er nyt angående...' followed by the topic.
No, it's a rounded 'y' sound, more like the French 'u' in 'tu'.
Related Phrases
Hvad så?
similarWhat's up?
Hvordan går det?
similarHow is it going?
Sker der noget?
similarIs something happening?
Intet nyt er godt nyt
builds onNo news is good news
