Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Translation of Danish to English technical terms.

Here you will find a list of English words used in and around the car, as well as words used for traffic and road and other useful words.

If there are words you missed, write another one info@drive4you.dk and we'll add it as soon as possible.

About the car

At the driver's seat
accelerator = speeder
brake pedal= brake
clutch pedal= clutch
fuel gauge= fuel gauge
gear stick= gear lever
handbrake= handbrake
speedometer= speedometer
steering wheel= steering wheel
temperature gauge= temperature gauge
warning light= warning light

Lights and mirrors
brake light = brake light
hazard lights = emergency flashers
headlamp = headlight
headlamps = headlights
headlights = headlights
indicator = indicator light
indicators = indicators
rear view mirror = rear mirror
sidelights = sidelights
wing miror = wing mirror

Mechanical parts
battery = battery
brakes = brakes
clutch = clutch
engine = motor
fan belt = drive belt for the fan
exhaust = exhaust
exhaust pipe = exhaust pipe
gear box = gearbox
ignition = ignition
radiator = radiator
spark plug = spark plug
windscreen wiper = windscreen wiper
windscreen wipers = windscreen wipers

Other useful words
air conditioning = air conditioning
automatic = automatic transmission
central locking = central locking
manual gear = manual gear
automatic = automatic transmission
tax disc = mark for paid road tax
sat nav = GPS
coil = ignition coil

Other parts
aerial = aerial
back seat = back seat
bonnet = bonnet
boot = boot
bumper = bumper
child seat = child seat
cigarette lighter = cigarette lighter
dashboard = instrument panel
front seat = front seat
fuel tank = petrol tank
petrol tank = petrol tank
glove compartment = glove compartment
glovebox = glove compartment
heater = heat
number plate = licence plate
passenger seat = passenger seat
roof = tag
roof rack = roof rack
seatbelt = harness
spare wheel = spare tyre
tow bar = Tow bar
tyre = tyre
wheel = wheel
window = window
windscreen = windscreen
Skirts = skirts
Side skirts = side skirts

Traffic and roads

Roads
bypass = bypass road
country lane = country road
dual carriageway = road with a central reservation
main road = main road
motorway = highway
one-way street = one-way road
ring road = ring road
road = road
toll road = toll road

Road names
corner = corner
crossroads = intersection
kerb = kerb
fork = fork in the road
hard shoulder = emergency shoulder
junction = exit
lay-by = leftover space
level crossing = railway crossing
pavement = (American English: sidewalk) pavement
pedestrian crossing = pedestrian crossing
road sign = road sign
roadside = roadside
roadworks = roadworks
roundabout = roundabout
services = service
signpost = sign
speed limit = speed limit
T-junction = T-junction
toll = charge (for road or bridge)
traffic light = light curve
turning = swing

Issues
accident = misfortune
breakdown = engine stop
breathalyse = breathalyser
jack = jack
jump leads = jumper cable
flat tyre = flat tyre
fog = mist
icy road = isglat
puncture = puncture
speeding fine = speeding ticket
spray = spray
traffic jam = car queue
to crash = to crash
to have an accident = to be in a traffic accident
to skid = to get the fuck out
to stall = to stand still
to swerve = to drive in the ditch
stone chips = stone chips
stone chips in lacquer = stenslag i lakken

Learning to drive
driving instructor = driving instructor
driving lesson = køretime
driving licence = driving licence
driving school = driving school
driving test = driving test
learner driver = learner driver
to fail your driving = test to fail your driving test
to pass your driving = test to pass your driving test

At the petrol station
car wash = bilvask
diesel = diesel
oil = oil
petrol = petrol
petrol pump = petrol pump
petrol station = petrol station
unleaded = unleaded

Car parking
car park = parking space
disabled parking space = handicap parking space
multi-storey car park = multi-storey car park
to park = to park
parking meter = parking meter
parking space = parking bay
parking ticket = parking ticket
traffic warden = parking attendant 

Vehicle types
bike = (short for bicycle) bicycle
camper van = motorhome
bus = bus
car = car
caravan = caravan
coach = coach
lorry = truck
minibus = minibus
moped = moped
motorbike = (short for motorcycle) motorbike
scooter = scooter
taxi = taxi
tractor = tractor
truck = lorry
van = van

Right of way

Right hand duty - The right hand duty. Can also be called to give way right before left. 
Ubetinget vigepligt - The waiting duty of giving absolutely way or give totally way.
Reglen for vognbaneskift - The rule of Lane changing
Reglen for sammenfletning - The rule of merge

 

Other useful words

Other useful words
car hire = car hire
car keys = car keys
cyclist = ucyklist
driver = driver
garage = underground car park
mechanic = unmechanical
insurance = u insurance
passenger = unpassenger
pedestrian = pedestrian
reverse gear = reverse gear
road map = road map
second-hand = used
speed = speed
traffic = traffic
tyre pressure = tyre pressure
vehicle = vehicle
to accelerate = to accelerate
to brake = to brake
to change gear = to change gear
to drive = to drive
to overtake = to overtake
to reverse = to reverse
to slow down = to slow down
to speed up = to speed up
to steer = to steer