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?
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.
1. Thanks/Thank you
- Danke 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:
| English | German | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Thanks for the chocolate! | Danke für die Schokolade! | Danke für die Schokolade! |
| You were a big help thanks! | Sie waren eine große hilfe danke! | Sie waren eine große hilfe danke! |
| Thanks same to you! | Danke gleichfalls! | Danke gleichfalls! |
| Thanks again! | Danke nochmals! | Danke nochmals! |
| Thanks anyway! | Trotzdem danke! | Trotzdem danke! |
| I thank you (singular informal) | Ich danke dir | Ich danke dir |
2. Best Of Thanks!
- Besten Dank 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.
3. I’m Thankful To You
- Ich bin dir dankbar 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 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.
5. Many Thanks
- Vielen Dank 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 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… Danke für
You would use this when being specific in your thanks. Here are some examples:
| English | German | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Thank you for helping me with my presentation | Vielen Dank dass Sie mir bei meiner Präsentation geholfen haben | Vielen Dank dass Sie mir bei meiner Präsentation geholfen haben |
| Thank you for you hard work | Vielen Dank für Ihre harte Arbeit | Vielen Dank für Ihre harte Arbeit |
| Thank you for supporting me | Danke für die Unterstützung | Danke für die Unterstützung |
| Thanks for your help | Danke für Ihre Hilfe | Danke für Ihre Hilfe |
| Thank you for your attention | Danke für Ihre Aufmerksamkeit | Danke für Ihre Aufmerksamkeit |
| Thank you for your support | Danke für Ihre Unterstützung | Danke für Ihre Unterstützung |
| Thank you very much for your invitation | Herzlichen Dank für Ihre Einladung | Herzlichen Dank für Ihre Einladung |
| Thank you very much for calling | Vielen herzlichen Dank für Ihren Anruf | Vielen herzlichen Dank für Ihren Anruf |
| Thank you for the beautiful gift | Ich danke Ihnen für das schöne Geschenk | Ich danke Ihnen für das schöne Geschenk |
| Thank you for the wonderful time | Ich danke Ihnen für die schöne Zeit | Ich danke Ihnen für die schöne Zeit |
| Thank you for the nice evening | Ich danke Ihnen für den schönen Abend | Ich danke Ihnen für den schönen Abend |
8. Thank You Very Much
- Danke schön Danke schön
There are actually two ways to say ‘thank you very much.’ Danke schön is more widely used in an informal setting.
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 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.
| English | German | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Have many thanks | Haben Sie vielen dank | Haben Sie vielen Dank |
| I’m thankful to you. | Ich bin Ihnen dankbar. | Ich bin Ihnen dankbar |
| Many thanks for all | Vielen dank für alles | Vielen Dank für alles |
| Thanks a lot | Vielen dank/Danke vielmals | vielen Dank/ Danke vielmals |
| Best thanks | Besten dank | Besten Dank |
| Heartfelt thanks | Herzlichen dank | Herzlichen Dank |
| I am thankful. | Ich bin dankbar. |
Ich bin dankbar |
| I thank you | Ich danke Ihnen | Ich danke Ihnen |
| We are very thankful for your help. | Wir sind sehr dankbar für deine Hilfe. | Dankbar Wir sind sehr dankbar für deine Hilfe |
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:
| English | German | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| You’re welcome | Bitte schön/Bitte sehr | bitte schön/ bitte sehr |
| My pleasure | Gern geschehen | Gern geschehen |
| No Problem | Keine Ursache/Kein Problem | Keine Ursache/ Kein Problem |
| Oh it’s Nothing | Nichts zu danken! | Nichts 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.
| English | German | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| No thanks | Nein, danke | Nein, danke |
| Thanks, but I’m fine | Danke, gut | Danke, 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.
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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!
