Learn Danish: Hvad skal du have? - What are you having?

English often uses 'are having' to talk about what you want to order. Danish does not use an 'are doing' structure. Instead, it uses skal plus the dictionary form of the verb have. It literally translates to 'What shall you have?' and is the standard way to ask for a food or drink order.

Doesn't skal usually mean 'must' or 'have to'? Does it sound rude here?

While skal often means 'must', it is also used to express future intentions or plans, similar to the English words 'will' or 'shall'. In the context of a cafe or restaurant, Hvad skal du have? is completely polite and very normal.

How is the word have pronounced in this sentence?

When speaking naturally, Danes usually shorten the word have so it sounds just like 'ha'. The 'v' and 'e' at the end are completely dropped.

If I want to ask my friend what they are currently holding in their hand, can I use this sentence?

No. Hvad skal du have? is about what someone is going to receive, like an order at a restaurant. If you want to ask what someone currently possesses or is holding right now, you would use the present tense and ask Hvad har du? which means 'What do you have?'.