Questions & Answers about Hej! Hvad hedder du?
Why does the translation say "are you called" instead of "is your name"?
In English we usually ask "What is your name?", but in Danish, it is much more natural to use the verb hedder, which means "to be called". So Hvad hedder du? literally means "What are you called?".
How do I pronounce the word "Hvad"?
In Danish question words that start with hv-, like hvad, the h is silent. The d at the end is also usually silent in daily speech, so the whole word simply sounds like "va".
Does the double "d" in "hedder" sound like an English "d"?
No, it is a "soft d" (blødt d). It sounds a bit like the "th" in the English word "the", but you make it by keeping your tongue flat and relaxed behind your bottom teeth.
Is "du" the right word to use with anyone?
du is the singular, informal word for "you". Because Danish culture is very informal, you will use du with almost everyone you meet, including strangers, teachers, and bosses.