Danish - English Dictionary of Some
Genealogy and Cemetery Words, Phrases, and Abbreviations

Danish term beginning with: Symbol A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Æ Ø Å

Grammatical endings: Typically the possessive is denoted by "-s", definite articles by "-en", "-et" or "-ene", plural nouns by "-r", "-e" or "-er", and past tense by "-ede."

Note also that Danish compound phrases tend to be contracted into one word rather than remaining two words as in English. Thus "skole" (school) and "bus" (bus) becomes a single word, "skolebus," while the English equivalent "school bus" maintains the words separately.

Æ, Ø, and Å are alphabetized at the end of the alphabet in that order.

Danish	English
*	Born
+	Born
†	Died
Aar	Year, years (old spelling)
Adjunkt	Tenured professor
Adlerhus	Building marking the boundary between a large estate and surrounding property, often home and/or office of the estate manager.
Af	Of, from, by
Afd.	Department (short for "Afdeling")
Afdeling	Department
Aftægtskone	Female retiree or pensioner, specifically someone dependent on the care of others
Aftægtsmand	Male retiree or pensioner, specifically someone dependent on the care of others
Agtbar	Honorable
Aldersrentenyder	Retiree, specifically someone receiving a pension
Aldersrentenyderske	Female retiree, specifically someone receiving a pension
Alle	All, everyone
Alt	All, everything
Amtmand	County prefect
Amtsvejmand	County road worker
Andelshaver	Share holder
Arbejder	Laborer, worker
Arbejdsfæller	Workmates, colleagues
Apoteker	Apothecary
Arkitekt	Architect
Assistent	Assistant
Auditør	Auditor, investigator
Automobilhandler	Automobile salesman
Avlsbruger	Small farmer
Baadebygger	Boat builder (old spelling)
Baadsmand	Boatman, petty officer (old spelling)
Bager	Baker
Bagerm	Master baker (short for "Bagermester")
Bagermester	Master baker
Banebetjent	Railroad patrol man
Baneformand	Track supervisor (railroad)
Banemester	Track master (railroad)
Bankdirektør	Bank president
Baron	Baron
Baroness	Baronesse
Beboere	Residents
Begravet	Buried
Bestyrer	Manager
Billedhugger	Sculptor
Biografejer	Movie theater owner
Birk	Local court
Birkedommer	Local court judge
Biskop	Bishop
Blikkenslager	Plumber
Blikkenslagerm	Master plumber (short for "Blikkenslagermester")
Blikkenslagermester	Master plumber
Bogbinder	Bookbinder
Bogholder	Bookkeeper
Bogtrykker	Printer
Borgmester	Mayor
Br.	Letter, epistle (short for "brev")
Brandinspektør	Fire inspector
Brev	Letter, epistle
Broder	Brother
Brolægger	Cobblestone layer, paver
Bromand	Bridgekeeper
Bror	Brother
Brygger	Brewer
Brøndgraver	Well digger
By	Town (modern spelling)
Bye	Town (old spelling)
Byraad	Town counsel (old spelling)
Byråd	Town counsel (modern spelling)
Bødker	Cooper
Bødkermester	Master cooper
Børn	Children
Børstenbinder	Brushmaker
Bådebygger	Boat builder (modern spelling)
Bådsmand	Boatman, petty officer (modern spelling)
Cand. Jur.	Candidate of law
Cap.	Chapter (short for "Capitel")
Capitel	Chapter (old spelling)
Centralbestyrer	Telephone operator, the switch board was located in his home
Comtesse	Countess, daughter or wife of the count
D	Dead, died (short for "Død") ~ The (short for "Den")
Dag	Day
Damaskvæver	Damask weaver
Damefrisør	Hair dresser
Damefrisørinde	Hair dresser (female)
Dampskibsexpeditør	Steamship clerk
Danbmd	Recipient of the "Dannebrogsorden" award (short for Dannebrogsmand)
Danmark	Denmark
Dannebrog	[The name of the Danish flag]
Dannebrogsmand	Recipient of the "Dannebrogsorden" award
Dannebrogsorden	Award named after the Danish flag, bestowed by the Danish monarch
Dansk	Danish
Danske Statsbaner	The National Danish Railroad
Datter	Daughter
Dbmd	Recipient of the "Dannebrogsorden" award (short for Dannebrogsmand)
Dcbr	December (short for "December")
Decbr	December (short for "December")
Den	The
Dette	This
Din	Your, yours (singular)
Din vilje ske	Your will be done
Dir	Executive, president (of a company) (short for "Direktør")
Direktør	Executive, president (of a company)
Distriktsinspektør	Regional inspector
Distriktsjordemoder	Regional midwife
Dit	Your, yours (singular)
Dit minde lever	Your memory lives
DM	Recipient of the "Dannebrogsorden" award (short for Dannebrogsmand)
Drejer	Lathe operator
Dreng	Boy
Driftsbestyrer	Production manager
Druknet	Drowned
Dræbt	Killed
Dræningsmester	Drain master, master plumber specializing in outdoor sewer systems
D. S. B.	The National Danish Railroad (short for "Danske Statsbaner")
Dybt savnet	Deeply missed
Dyrlæge	Veterinarian
Død	Dead, died
Døde	Died
Dødelig	Mortal, mortally
Eder	You (old language)
Eders	Your (old language)
Efter	After
Efterlod	Left
Ejendomsmægler	Real estate agent
Ejer	Owner
Eksportør	Exporter
Elektriker	Electrician
Elektroinstallatør	Electric installer
Elev	Student
Elsket og savnet	Loved and missed
Enke	Widow
Enkemand	Widower
Er	Is, am, are (present tense of "være", to be)
Ere	Is, am, are (old spelling of "er")
Erindring	Remembrance
Ev.	Gospel (short for "Evangelium")
Evangelium	Gospel
F	Born, née (short for "Født"); for (short for "For")
Fabrikant	Manufacturer
Fader	Father
Faldet	Fallen
Faldet i Danmarks frihedskamp	Fallen in Denmark's struggle for freedom (WWII Gravesites so marked are to be preserved in perpetuity)
Familie	Family
Familiebegravelse	Family burial
Familiegravsted	Family burial site
Familiegrav	Family grave
Far	Dad
Farvel	Goodbye
Fattiggaard	Poorhouse (old spelling)
Fattiggaardsbestyrer	Poorhouse manager (old spelling)
Fattiggård	Poorhouse (modern spelling)
Fattiggårdsbestyrer	Poorhouse manager (modern spelling)
Fbr.	February (short for "Februar")
Februar	February
Fhv.	Former (short for "Forhenværende")
Fiskeeksportør	Fish exporter
Fiskehandler	Fish merchant
Fisker	Fisherman
Flid	Diligence
Fmd.	Chairman, president (short for "Formand")
Folkethingsmand	Member of parliament (old spelling)
Folkethingsmd	Member of parliament (short for "Folkethingsmand")
Folketingsmand	Member of parliament (modern spelling)
For	For
Forening	Organisation, union
Forfatter	Author
Forfatterinde	Author (female)
Forh.	Former (short for "Forhenværende")
Forhen	Formerly
Forhenværende	Former
Formand	Chairman, president
Former	Shaper
Fornyet	Renewed
Forpagter	Leaseholder (of farm or business)
Forstander	Principal, director (male, usually of an institution)
Forstanderinde	Principal, director (female, usually of an institution)
Forstkandidat	Forest scientist
Forvalter	Manager
Fotograf	Photographer
Fra	From
Fragtmand	Carrier
Fred	Peace
Fred være med	Peace be with
Frelst	Saved
Frelst af Naade	Saved by grace (old spelling)
Frelst af nåde	Saved by grace (modern spelling)
Frihedskamp	Struggle for freedom
Frk	Miss (short for "Frøken")
Frue	Mrs., mistress (of the house)
Frugtavler	Fruit grower
Frygt ikke	Have no fear
Frøken	Miss
Fuldmægtig	Attorney in fact
Fyrbøder	Stoker
Fyrpasser	Lighthouse keeper
Fyrværker	Pyrotechnician
Fædreland	Native homeland
Fælled	Common (a common - shared - area)
Færgeskipper	Ferry captain
Fæstebonde	Copyholder, tenant farmer
Fæster	Copyholder
Fød	Born
Født	Born
Førstelærer	Head teacher, small school principal
Gaard	Farm (old spelling)
Gaardejer	Farm owner (old spelling)
Gaardejerske	Farm owner, female (old spelling)
Gaardfæster	Copyholder, farm tenant (old spelling)
Gaardkone	Farmer's wife, female farmer (old spelling)
Gaardmand	Farmer (old spelling)
Gammel	Old, former
Gartner	Gardener
Garver	Tanner
Garvermester	Master tanner
Gasværksassistent	Gasworks assistant
Gav	Gave
Gavl	Gable
Gdjr	Farm owner (short for "Gårdejer" or "Gaardejer")
Gemt men aldrig glemt	Gone but not forgotten
General lieutenant	Lieutenant general (old spelling)
General-løjtnant	Lieutenant general (modern spelling)
Gensynet er vort håb	It is our hope to meet again
Glarmester	Glazier
Gl	Old, former (short for "Gammel")
Gmd	Farmer (short for "Gårdmand" or "Gaardmand")
God	Good
Godsforvalter	Estate manager
Graver	Sexton, cemetery worker
Gravplads	Gravesite
Gravsted	Gravesite
Gravtavle	Grave marker
Grdejr	Farm owner (short for "Gårdejer" or "Gaardejer")
Greve	Count
Grevinde	Countess
Grevskab	County, property of the count
Grd	Farm owner (short for "Gårdejer" or "Gaardejer")
Grosserer	Merchant (wholesale)
Gud	God
Guds fred	God's peace
Guds vilje ske	God's will be done
Guldsmed	Goldsmith
Gæstgiver	Inn keeper
Gård	Farm (modern spelling)
Gårdejer	Farm owner (modern spelling)
Gårdejerske	Farm owner, female (modern spelling)
Gårdfæster	Copyholder, farm tenant (modern spelling)
Gårdkone	Farmer's wife, female farmer (modern spelling)
Gårdmand	Farmer (modern spelling)
Haandværker	Craftsman, artisan, workman (old spelling)
Haand	Hand (old spelling)
Havnefoged	Harbor master
Hensov	Went to sleep (especially about dying)
Her	Here
Her hviler	Here rests
Herr	Sir, Lord, Mister
Herre	Lord
Herren	The Lord
Herren er min hyrde	The Lord is my shepherd
Herren kender sine	The Lord knows His own
Herre til	Lord of, Master of
Herunder hviler	Hereunder rests
Hmd	Smallholder, cotter (short for "Husmand" or "Huusmand")
Hotelejer	Hotel proprietor
Hovedgaard	Manor (old spelling)
Hovedgård	Manor (modern spelling)
Hovmester	Steward (nautical)
Hs	Wife (short for "Hustru")
Hstr	Wife (short for "Hustru")
Humlegrosserer	Wholesale hops dealer
Humlehandler	Hops dealer
Hus	House
Husfæster	Copyholder with little or no land
Husholdningslærerinde	Home economics teacher (female)
Husmand	Smallholder, cotter (modern spelling)
Hustru	Wife
Huusmand	Smallholder, cotter (old spelling)
Hviler	Rests
Hvil i fred	Rest in peace
Højskole	Folk high school, elective high school frequently attended by adults
Højskoleforstander	Principal at a folk high school, elective high school frequently attended by adults
Højt elsket	Deeply loved
Hånd	Hand (modern spelling)
Håndværker	Craftsman, artisan, workman (modern spelling)
I	In (frequently minuscule) , you (plural, always capitalized)
I Jesu navn	In the name of Jesus
Importør	Importer
Indremissionær	Domestic missionary
Indsats	Efforts
Indsidder	Tenant farmer
Ingenieur	Engineer (old spelling)
Ingenieurcorps	Corps of Engineers (old spelling)
Ingenieurkorps	Corps of Engineers (old spelling)
Ingeniør	Engineer (modern spelling)
Inspektør	Inspector, overseer
Iustitsraad	Judicial counselor (old spelling)
Januar	January
Jerndrejer	Ironsmith
Jernstøber	Iron worker
Joh.	Book of John (short for "Johannesbrevet")
Johannesbrevet	Book of John
Jordemoder	Midwife
Juni	June
Junius	June (Latin for "Juni")
Juli	July
Julius	July (Latin for "Juli")
Justitsråd	Judicial counselor (modern spelling)
Jæger	Hunter
Kabelmester	Master cable technician
Kammeraad	Privy councillor (old spelling)
Kammerater	Friends, buddies
Kammerherre	Chamberlain, Lord-in-waiting
Kammeråd	Privy councillor (modern spelling)
Kapel	Chapel
Kap.	Chapter (short for "Kapitel")
Kapitel	Chapter (modern spelling)
Karetmager	Carriage maker, coach maker
Kast al eders sorg paa ham thi han har omsorg for eder	Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you
KFUK	YWCA (short for "Kristelig Forening for Unge Kvinder")
KFUM	YMCA (short for "Kristelig Forening for Unge Mænd")
Kgl.	Royal (short for "Kongelig")
Kirke	Church
Kirkebetjent	Sexton
Kirkeejer	Church owner
Kirkegård	Cemetery, churchyard
Kirkesanger	Music minister in the old Danish church, had duties as parish clerk as well
Kiøbmand	Grocer (old spelling)
Knivsmed	Cutler
Kogekone	Cook, female
Kommunesekretær	County clerk (approximately)
Kongelig	Royal
Konsulent	Consultant
Kreaturhandler	Cattle dealer
Krigere	Warriors
Krigsraad	War councillor
Kriminaloverbetjent	Chief criminal investigator
Kristelig	Christian
Krog	Inside corner
Kræmmer	Shopkeeper
Kunstmaler	Painter (of paintings), artist
Kurvemager	Basket weaver, basket maker
Kvinde	Woman
Kæmner	City manager (roughly equivalent, term is obsolete)
Kære	Dear
Kærlig	Loving
Kærlighed	Love
Købmand	Grocer
Købmd	Grocer (short for "Købmand")
Land	Country
Landfoged	County Police Commissioner
Landinspektør	Land surveyor
Landmand	Farmer
Landpostbud	Rural mail carrier
Landsdommer	Chief Justice
Landsretssagfører	Solicitor to the Supreme Court, barrister
Lazaret	Military field hospital (modern spelling)
Lazareth	Military field hospital (old spelling)
Lensgreve	Count (roughly equivalent)
Lensgrevinde	Countess (roughly equivalent)
Leve	Live
Ligningskommission	Assessment tribunal
Lille	Little
Liv	Life
Livsstilling	Occupation
Lods	Tugboat pilot
Lokalhistoriker	Local historian
Lovet	Praised
Lund	Small cluster of trees, grove
Lysning	Banns
Lægdsrulle	Conscription register
Læge	Physician, doctor
Lærer	Teacher
Lærerinde	Teacher (female)
Magasinforvalter	Chief storekeeper
Maj	May
Maler	Painter (usually of houses)
Malerm	Master painter (of houses) (short for "Malermester")
Malermester	Master painter (of houses)
Mand	Man
Mandskiøn	Male gender
Manufakturhandler	Draper
Mark	Field
Marts	March
Maskinarbejder	Machinist
Maskinbygger	Mechanical engineer, engine builder
Maskinmester	Engineer
Maskinpasser	Machine operator
Materialforvalter	Materials administrator
Medlem	Member
Mejeri	Dairy processing plant
Mejeribestyrer	Dairy manager
Mejerist	Dairy processor
Menighed	Congregation
Menighedsraad	Church board (old spelling)
Menighedsråd	Church board (modern spelling)
Mester	Master, usually of a trade or craft
Min	My, mine
Minde	Memorial, memory
Minde over