Thank You In German: 18+ Remarkable Ways

Going to Germany? While visiting, you’ll find it useful to know some German language to help you get by. Knowing how to say thank you in German and other polite phrases will help you make a good first impression, as Germans are big on pleasantries. Having some other common terms in your pocket will help too!

The Ling app is an essential tool to have with you in your pocket as you explore Germany. We also have useful articles such as how to introduce yourself in German when you meet some new friends and information about how to read and say time and dates in German.

However, this article is about how to say ‘thank you,’ ‘no, thank you,’ and ‘you’re welcome’ in formal and informal situations in German. Click the blue button beside each phrase to hear the proper pronunciation.

Let’s begin! How do you say thank you in German?

Thank You In German Informal

How To Say Thank You In German: Informal Situations

These ways to thank you in German are ideal to use during informal situations, for example, when talking with close friends, co-workers, and family.

Thank You In German Danke

1. Thanks/Thank you

  • Danke

Danke is the equivalent of “thanks/thank you” in German and is the most popular way to give thanks. It’s a good “thank you” to use with friends, family, and strangers. Here are a few ways you can use it:

EnglishGermanPronunciation
Thanks for the chocolate!Danke für die Schokolade!
You were a big help thanks!Sie waren eine große hilfe danke!
Thanks same to you!Danke gleichfalls!
Thanks again!Danke nochmals!
Thanks anyway!Trotzdem danke!
I thank you (singular informal)Ich danke dir

2. Best Of Thanks!

  • Besten Dank

You would use this phrase when thanking someone for holding the door open for you, for holding the elevator, or for similar small things.

Thank You In German Ich bin dir dankbar

3. I’m Thankful To You

  • Ich bin dir dankbar

This phrase is used when speaking only to one person. You might say this privately to someone who has helped you with a work presentation or has been there emotionally for you during a difficult time. However, you can use it in lighter situations too!

4. I’m Thankful To You all

  • Ich bin euch dankbar

This is almost the same as the phrase above but is meant to be said to many people simultaneously. It can be used over dinner with friends or family. You can also say this phrase at weddings or after a speech or presentation.

Thank You In German Vielen Dank

5. Many Thanks

  • Vielen Dank

An informal way of saying thank you in passing is Vielen Dank. You may use this with a rideshare driver, someone who lets you go ahead in a line, or say this to your waiter or waitress at a restaurant.

6. Thanks a Million

  • Tausend Dank

This phrase literally translates to “a thousand thanks.” You would use this to express gratitude to someone who has gone out of their way to help you or has done a lot to make your life easier.

7. Thank You For…

  • Danke für…

You would use this when being specific in your thanks. Here are some examples:

EnglishGermanPronunciation
Thank you for helping me with my presentationVielen Dank dass Sie mir bei meiner Präsentation geholfen haben
Thank you for you hard workVielen Dank für Ihre harte Arbeit
Thank you for supporting meDanke für die Unterstützung
Thanks for your helpDanke für Ihre Hilfe
Thank you for your attentionDanke für Ihre Aufmerksamkeit
Thank you for your supportDanke für Ihre Unterstützung
Thank you very much for your invitationHerzlichen Dank für Ihre Einladung
Thank you very much for callingVielen herzlichen Dank für Ihren Anruf
Thank you for the beautiful giftIch danke Ihnen für das schöne Geschenk
Thank you for the wonderful timeIch danke Ihnen für die schöne Zeit
Thank you for the nice eveningIch danke Ihnen für den schönen Abend

8. Thank You Very Much

  • Danke schön

There are actually two ways to say ‘thank you very much.’ Danke schön is more widely used in an informal setting.

Thank You In German Danke sehr

How to Say “Thank You” In German In A Formal Situation

When would you use the formal ways to say thank you in German? Well, let’s take a look:

  • With someone older than you.
  • With someone who has a higher “authority” position.
  • During formal activities such as a funeral, wedding, office party, or business function.
  • If you’re the host of a special event or meeting.

Also important to note are pronouns. Sometimes pronouns in German change according to the situation, so definitely check those out.

Thank You Very Much

  • Danke sehr

As mentioned above, there are two ways to say ‘thank you very much’ in German. Danke sehr is the more formal because sehr means very, so essentially, you are saying ‘thank you very, very much.’

Here are other formal ways to say thank you in German. You would use it to express heartfelt or deep thanks to a group of people or one-on-one in meaningful situations.

EnglishGermanPronunciation
Have many thanksHaben Sie vielen dank
I’m thankful to you.Ich bin Ihnen dankbar.
Many thanks for allVielen dank für alles
Thanks a lotVielen dank/Danke vielmals/
Best thanksBesten dank
Heartfelt thanksHerzlichen dank
I am thankful.Ich bin dankbar.
I thank youIch danke Ihnen
We are very thankful for your help.Wir sind sehr dankbar für deine Hilfe.
Thank You In German Response Youre Welcome In German

Respond To Thank You In German With These Phrases

You can’t learn how to say thank you in German without realizing how to say you’re welcome! So here you go:

EnglishGermanPronunciation
You’re welcomeBitte schön/Bitte sehr/
My pleasureGern geschehen
No ProblemKeine Ursache/Kein Problem/
Oh it’s NothingNichts zu danken!

How Do You Say No Thank You In German?

Knowing how to politely decline something is equally important as knowing how to say thanks. By saying Nein, danke, you are being polite by acknowledging the person trying to sell or offer you something while simultaneously saying you don’t want it.

EnglishGermanPronunciation
No thanksNein, danke
Thanks, but I’m fineDanke, gut

Vielen Dank für das Lesen! Learn More German With The Ling App

Thank you for reading this! We hope you learned a lot. Learning a foreign language isn’t easy, but Ling would love to help you speak German fluently.

On your path to learning German, Ling will be your best friend. Learning a new language might be difficult, but the Ling app makes it simple! We’d love more than anything for you to make some German friends, and the fastest way to do that is to show interest in learning their language.

Ling is a popular language app with over 10 million downloads. It offers German, which is just one of over 60 languages offered. You’ll also get reading and speaking practice by talking with our patented chatbot, which uses AI technology to simulate a real-life conversation.

Undoubtedly though, the best thing about Ling is its intuitive SRS flashcards. The flashcards adapt to your needs and are proven to increase your long-term memory.

And finally, Ling also has writing practice. We have an interactive whiteboard that allows you to write the letters of the alphabet on your device!

Here at Ling, we also strive to make learning fun! Head over to check it out and learn even more German language skills.

Download the Ling app today on the Play Store or App Store and start speaking confidently in German!

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