
Saying "Thank you" in German
To say "thank you" in German, the simple word Danke
will do the job. However, as in English, there are many variations and
styles of expressing thanks in German.
Here is a look at ten ways to
say "thank you" - plus some related German words and expressions for
expressing your gratitude.
- Danke! (DAHNK-uh) Thanks! Thank you.
(also "No thanks" - See note below)
- Danke schön!* (DAHNK-uh shoon) Thank you!
- Tausend Dank! (TAU-zent DAHNK) A thousand thanks! Thanks
very much!
- Danke vielmals! (DAHNK-uh FEEL-malls) Many thanks!
- Recht schönen Dank! (RECHT shoon-en DAHNK) Many
thanks!
- Ich danke Ihnen/dir! (eech DAHNK-uh EEH-nun / DEAR) I
thank you!
- Ich bin (Ihnen/dir) sehr dankbar für... (eek bin
DAHNK-bar fe-ur) I'm very grateful (to you) for...
- Haben Sie vielen Dank! (HAH-ben zee FEEL-en DAHNK) Many
thanks!
- Vielen Dank!** (FEEL-en DAHNK) Many thanks!
- Mit tiefer Dankbarkeit! (MITT TEEF-er DAHNK-bar-kite) With
deep gratitude!
*Another variation: Danke sehr! Thank you very much!
**Some similar forms: Besten Dank! Best thanks!; Herzlichen
Dank! Heartfelt thanks!; Schönen Dank! Many thanks!
Now let's look at some related German words and phrases for
expressing your gratitude (die Dankbarkeit):
Related Expressions and Words
- dankbar grateful, thankful
- die Dankbarkeit gratitude, thanks
- Ich bedanke mich! I thank you! - My thanks!
- Nein, danke! No thanks!*
- Nichts zu danken! Don't mention it! You're welcome!
- Bitte! You're welcome! (in response to "Danke!)
- das Dankeschön (a/the) thank-you
- Ein herzliches Dankeschön! My/Our heartfelt thanks!
- das Dankschreiben thank-you note/letter
- der Dankbrief thank-you letter
- das Dankgebet prayer of thanks
- die Danksagung expression of thanks/gratitude, thanksgiving
- das Erntedankfest (Harvest) Thanksgiving (see Thanksgiving
in Germany)
*Note: If you say "Danke!" in response to an offer, it may be
understood as "no thanks." To say "thanks, yes" use "Bitte!" (please).