De/Dem/Deres

Formal Address with De

Level 4

The formal address system (De/Dem/Deres) is the Danish equivalent of German 'Sie'. While once common, it is now extremely rare and reserved for specific high-formality situations.

How It Works

1. The Forms
The formal address uses three specific forms, which must always be capitalized to distinguish them from the third-person plural 'they'. These forms are used for both singular and plural formal address (addressing one person or a group):

  • De: Subject form (You)
  • Dem: Object form (You)
  • Deres: Possessive form (Your)

2. Modern Usage and Social Nuance
Danish society is highly egalitarian. Since the late 1960s, the use of De has collapsed in favor of du. Today, using De with a peer or a younger stranger can actually be perceived as cold, sarcastic, or intentionally distancing. It signals that you do not wish to have a friendly or informal relationship.

3. Where you will see it:

  • Royalty: Addressing the King or Queen. Note that in the subject position, the title 'Deres Majestæt' is typically used instead of the pronoun 'De'.
  • The Elderly: Some people use it for those over 80 as a sign of traditional respect.
  • High-end Service: Luxury hotels or fine-dining staff may use it to provide an 'elite' atmosphere.
  • Formal Correspondence: Legal documents or old-fashioned business letters.

4. Grammar Rules

  • Prepositions: The object form Dem is required after all prepositions (e.g., 'Jeg har en gave til Dem').
  • Possessives: Unlike the informal din/dit/dine, the formal Deres is invariant. It does not change based on the gender or number of the noun that follows (e.g., 'Deres bil', 'Deres hus', 'Deres børn').
  • Adjectives: Adjectives usually follow the natural number of the person being addressed. If you speak to one person, use the singular adjective; if speaking to many, use the plural. Historically, De always triggered plural adjectives, but this is now mostly found in fixed, archaic phrases.

Examples (5)

  1. Kan jeg hjælpe Dem, hr. Jensen?

    Can I help you, Mr. Jensen?

    Word by Word: Can I help you (formal), Mr. Jensen?

    Used here to show respect to an elderly man, paired with his title and surname.

  2. Vi har modtaget Deres ansøgning.

    We have received your application.

    Word by Word: We have received your (formal) application.

    A standard opening in a formal business letter or legal document.

  3. Må jeg byde Dem velkommen, Deres Majestæt?

    May I welcome you, Your Majesty?

    Word by Word: May I offer you (formal) welcome, Your Majesty?

    The mandatory register when addressing the Danish monarch.

  4. Er De træt, fru Nielsen?

    Are you tired, Mrs. Nielsen?

    Word by Word: Are you (formal) tired, Mrs. Nielsen?

    Note that 'træt' is singular because we are addressing one person.

  5. Hvad mener De om forslaget?

    What do you think about the proposal?

    Word by Word: What think you (formal) about the-proposal?

    A very formal way to ask for an opinion, likely in a high-level professional meeting.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'De' as the default for strangers or teachers.

    Different MeaningUndskyld, kan De sige mig hvad klokken er?
    Undskyld, kan du sige mig hvad klokken er?

    In Denmark, 'du' is the standard for almost everyone. Using 'De' with a stranger on the street sounds unnaturally stiff or even suspicious.

  • Writing 'deres' with a small d when you mean formal 'your'.

    Different MeaningJeg har set deres bil.
    Jeg har set Deres bil.

    'Jeg har set deres bil' is correct, but it means 'I have seen their car'. Capitalized 'Deres' means 'your' (formal), and the capital letter is the only way to tell them apart in writing.

  • Using 'De' as a general plural 'you'.

    Hvad laver De, gutter?
    Hvad laver I, gutter?

    If you are addressing a group of friends ('you guys'), you must use the informal plural 'I'. 'De' is only for formal address.

How It Connects

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De/Dem/DeresLevel 4Formal Address with De

Learn This First

To understand formal address in Danish, you must first be familiar with the standard informal address (du) and the plural pronouns (de/dem/deres), as the formal system repurposes the third-person plural forms by capitalizing them.

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Words in This Pattern

DeDemDeres