bitte/danke

Please/Thank You

Level 1

Danke means 'thank you' and bitte is the multi-purpose word for 'please', 'you're welcome', and 'here you go'.

How It Works

These two words are essential for daily life in Germany. They are derived from the verbs danken (to thank) and bitten (to request).

1. Using Danke (Thanks)

  • Danke: The standard way to say thanks.
  • Danke schön / Danke sehr: Slightly more polite, common in shops and restaurants.
  • Vielen Dank: 'Many thanks', often used in writing or more formal settings.

2. The Many Faces of Bitte

  • Please: Used to soften a request. Unlike English, it often appears after the verb and subject: Können Sie bitte helfen?
  • You're welcome: The standard response to danke. You can also say Gern geschehen or simply Gerne (My pleasure).
  • Here you go: Said when handing someone an item (e.g., a waiter serving food).
  • Pardon?: Used with a rising tone (Wie bitte?) when you didn't hear someone.

3. Accepting vs. Declining
When offered something (like a drink):

  • Saying 'Danke' usually implies 'No, thank you'.
  • Saying 'Bitte' usually implies 'Yes, please'.
  • Pro Tip: To be perfectly clear and avoid confusion, it is best to use 'Ja, bitte' or 'Nein, danke'.

Examples (5)

  1. Ein Kaffee, bitte.

    A coffee, please.

    Word by Word: A coffee, please.

    A simple request using 'bitte' at the end.

  2. „Danke schön!“ – „Bitte sehr!“

    “Thank you very much!” – “You’re very welcome!”

    Word by Word: “Thanks beautifully!” – “Please very!”

    Adding 'schön' or 'sehr' makes the exchange slightly more polite and warm.

  3. Können Sie mir bitte helfen?

    Can you please help me?

    Word by Word: Can you me please help?

    In a full sentence, 'bitte' usually follows the subject and the verb.

  4. Wie bitte? Ich habe Sie nicht verstanden.

    Pardon? I didn't understand you.

    Word by Word: How please? I have you not understood.

    'Wie bitte?' is the standard polite way to ask someone to repeat themselves.

  5. „Möchten Sie Wasser?“ – „Danke.“

    “Would you like water?” – “No, thank you.”

    Word by Word: “Would-like you water?” – “Thanks.”

    In response to an offer, 'danke' alone often functions as a polite 'no'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'Willkommen' to mean 'You're welcome'.

    „Danke!“ – „Willkommen!“
    „Danke!“ – „Bitte!“

    In German, 'Willkommen' is only used to greet someone arriving. To say 'you're welcome' after a thank you, use 'bitte' or 'gern geschehen'.

  • Pronouncing the final 'e' as 'ee' or dropping it.

    Danky / Dank
    Danke

    The final 'e' in 'bitte' and 'danke' is a short, neutral 'uh' sound (a schwa). It should not sound like 'ee' or be silent.

  • Responding to 'danke' with 'danke'.

    „Danke!“ – „Danke!“
    „Danke!“ – „Bitte!“

    Unlike some languages where you might repeat the thanks, in German, the person receiving the thanks usually answers with 'bitte' or 'gern geschehen'.

How It Connects

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bitte/dankeLevel 1Please/Thank You

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