Learn Danish: Hvad betyder de to ord? - What do the two words mean?

This is the special rule for this lesson! Many short neuter nouns (words that take et, like et ord) do not get a plural ending. The plural of ord is just ord. We know it is plural here because of the words de to (the two) right in front of it.

Why does the sentence use de for "the"? Shouldn't "the words" be ordene?

You are right that "the words" on its own is ordene. However, in Danish, when you put a number or an adjective in front of a noun, you cannot use the normal attached ending for "the". Instead, you must use the separate word de (the) for plurals. That is why it is de to ord instead of to ordene.

Why doesn't the verb betyder (mean) change to match the plural subject?

Danish verbs are wonderfully simple: they never change to match the subject! The present tense form betyder is used for everything, whether it is "I mean", "it means", or "the two words mean".

Is the "d" in ord pronounced?

No, the "d" at the end of ord is completely silent. The word sounds very much like the English word "or" or "oar".