In Danish, 'hilsen' is the essential noun for any form of greeting, from formal email sign-offs to casual waves.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A greeting used when meeting, leaving, or writing to someone.
- Commonly used to end emails and letters in Denmark.
- Can refer to both spoken words and physical gestures like waving.
Oversigt
Ordet 'hilsen' er et af de mest fundamentale navneord i det danske sprog. Det bruges til at beskrive den handling eller det udtryk, man anvender for at sige hej, farvel eller for at sende en venlig tanke til nogen. Det er et substantiv i fælleskøn (en hilsen, hilsenen, hilsner, hilsnerne).
Brugsmønstre
I skriftlig dansk er 'hilsen' uundværligt. Det fungerer som den standardmæssige afslutning på breve og e-mails. Man ser det ofte i bøjede former eller i faste vendinger som 'Med venlig hilsen' (formelt) eller 'Mange hilsner' (uofficielt). En anden vigtig brug er, når man beder en person om at overbringe en hilsen til en tredjepart, f.eks. 'Giv ham en hilsen fra mig'.
Almindelige kontekster
Ordet optræder i mange sociale sammenhænge. Ved højtider sender danskere 'julehilsner' eller 'nytårshilsner'. Ved fødselsdage sender man en 'fødselsdagshilsen'. Det kan også referere til en fysisk handling, såsom et vink eller et nik, som i sætningen 'Han sendte en venlig hilsen med hånden'.
Sammenligning med lignende ord
Det er vigtigt at skelne mellem navneordet 'en hilsen' og udsagnsordet 'at hilse'. Mens 'hilsen' er selve beskeden eller gestussen, er 'at hilse' den aktive handling. Man kan også sammenligne det med 'en velkomst', men en velkomst bruges kun, når man ankommer, hvorimod en 'hilsen' kan bruges både ved ankomst, afgang og i korrespondance.
Examples
Hun gav mig en venlig hilsen, da vi mødtes.
everydayShe gave me a friendly greeting when we met.
Med venlig hilsen, Peter Jensen.
formalSincerely, Peter Jensen.
Mange hilsner fra solskinsøen Bornholm!
informalMany greetings from the sunny island of Bornholm!
Forfatteren bringer en hilsen til sine læsere i forordet.
academicThe author brings a greeting to his readers in the preface.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Giv en hilsen
Give a greeting
Bring en hilsen videre
Pass on a greeting
En sidste hilsen
A final greeting (often used at funerals)
Often Confused With
'Hils' is the imperative verb form used to tell someone to say hello to a third person (e.g., 'Hils din far'), while 'hilsen' is the noun.
'Hyldest' means a tribute or homage, which is much stronger and more formal than a simple 'hilsen'.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
In Denmark, the choice of 'hilsen' depends heavily on the relationship. 'Med venlig hilsen' is for people you don't know well. 'De bedste hilsner' is semi-formal, and 'Mange hilsner' or 'Knus' (hugs) is for friends. It is rarely omitted in written communication as it can seem abrupt or rude.
Common Mistakes
English speakers often forget to use the definite article 'en' when referring to a greeting as a thing. Another common mistake is using 'hilsen' when they should use the verb 'hilse' (to greet). Also, avoid abbreviating 'Med venlig hilsen' to 'mvh' in very formal physical letters; keep it for digital use.
Tips
Mastering the formal email sign-off
Always use 'Med venlig hilsen' in professional settings. It is the gold standard for politeness in Danish business culture.
Don't confuse noun and verb forms
Remember that 'hilsen' is the thing you send, while 'hils' is the command (imperative) to greet someone else.
The importance of acknowledging people
Danes value a polite 'hilsen' when entering small shops or meeting neighbors; a simple nod or 'hej' is often expected.
Word Origin
Derived from the Old Norse word 'heilsa', which is related to 'heill' (meaning whole or healthy). It originally meant a wish for the recipient to be in good health.
Cultural Context
In Danish culture, the 'hilsen' is a key part of 'social kontrol' and politeness. Even in a very egalitarian society, the way you sign off a message with a specific 'hilsen' signals your social distance and respect for the other person.
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'hailing' a taxi; when you 'hail' someone, you are giving them a 'hilsen'. They both start with 'H' and involve getting someone's attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsDen mest almindelige forkortelse er 'mvh', som bruges flittigt i e-mails og uformelle breve.
'Hilsen' er ental og bruges ofte i 'Med venlig hilsen'. 'Hilsner' er flertal og bruges typisk i mere varme afslutninger som 'Mange hilsner'.
Nej, 'hilsen' er et navneord. Verbet hedder 'at hilse' (f.eks. 'Jeg hilser på ham').
Det betyder 'Love' eller 'With love' og bruges kun til familie, tætte venner eller partnere.
Test Yourself
Jeg sender en varm ___ til dig og din familie.
Her skal bruges et navneord i ental efter den ubestemte artikel 'en'.
Vælg den mest korrekte formelle afslutning:
'Med venlig hilsen' er den standardiserede formelle hilsen på dansk.
hilsen / en / han / sendte / venlig
Den korrekte ordstilling er Grundled (Han) + Udsagnsled (sendte) + Genstandsled (en venlig hilsen).
Score: /3
Summary
In Danish, 'hilsen' is the essential noun for any form of greeting, from formal email sign-offs to casual waves.
- A greeting used when meeting, leaving, or writing to someone.
- Commonly used to end emails and letters in Denmark.
- Can refer to both spoken words and physical gestures like waving.
Mastering the formal email sign-off
Always use 'Med venlig hilsen' in professional settings. It is the gold standard for politeness in Danish business culture.
Don't confuse noun and verb forms
Remember that 'hilsen' is the thing you send, while 'hils' is the command (imperative) to greet someone else.
The importance of acknowledging people
Danes value a polite 'hilsen' when entering small shops or meeting neighbors; a simple nod or 'hej' is often expected.
Examples
4 of 4Hun gav mig en venlig hilsen, da vi mødtes.
She gave me a friendly greeting when we met.
Med venlig hilsen, Peter Jensen.
Sincerely, Peter Jensen.
Mange hilsner fra solskinsøen Bornholm!
Many greetings from the sunny island of Bornholm!
Forfatteren bringer en hilsen til sine læsere i forordet.
The author brings a greeting to his readers in the preface.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
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anerkende
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anerkendelse
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anledning
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anmasselse
C1arrogance, presumption, or forwardness
anmassende
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bar
A2bar
befolkning
B1All the inhabitants of a particular place.
