bitte
/ˈbɪtə/
In German, you're welcome is expressed as bitte. Wiktionary also lists gern geschehen and keine Ursache.
Meaning: reply to thanks (phrase)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| bitte | /ˈbɪtə/ |
| gern geschehen | /ɡɛrn ɡəˈʃeːən/ /-ɡəˈʃeːn/ |
| keine Ursache | /ˈkaɪ̯nə ˈuːɐ̯ˌzaxə/ (word by word) |
| nichts zu danken |
These phrases are used to reply to someone thanking you. While bitte is the standard response, you may also use gern geschehen or keine Ursache and nichts zu danken.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase gern geschehen literally means 'happened gladly', while keine Ursache literally means 'no cause' or 'no reason'.
Which one should you use?
bitte is a standard, neutral response, though it is also the primary word for 'please'. gern geschehen is slightly more warm and personal than bitte, often implying 'it was my pleasure'. Adding 'schön' to the phrase to create bitte schön makes the response sound more complete and polite, similar to saying 'you are very welcome'.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbɪtə/
Did you know?
- The standard response bitte is actually a shortened version of the sentence 'I beg you' (ich bitte dich/Sie).
Examples in context
- „Danke für die Hilfe!“ – „Bitte schön!“"Thanks for your help." "You're welcome."This example shows how to use bitte (as bitte schön) to respond to thanks.Tatoeba #12420837 by Waldelfe, translation #12420830 by CK
- „Danke für eure Hilfe!“ – „Keine Ursache.“"Thank you for your help." "You're welcome."This example shows a response to thanks using keine Ursache.Tatoeba #12258358 by mhr, translation #12258348 by Miktsoanit
- Keine Ursache, das war doch nicht der Rede wert.You're welcome, it was nothing.This example demonstrates using keine Ursache to say it was nothing.Tatoeba #11918753 by Naina, translation #11662566 by timmartin
- Gern geschehen!You're welcome!
- 33 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas hands Laura a glass of water.
- LukasHier ist dein Wasser, Laura.Here is your water, Laura.
- LauraVielen Dank, Lukas!Thank you very much, Lukas!
- LukasBitte!You're welcome!
- LauraDas ist sehr nett von dir.That is very kind of you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “you're welcome” translations and entries bitte, gern geschehen, keine Ursache, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (keine, Ursache) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Ursache, bitte, gern, gern geschehen, geschehen, keine Ursache, nichts, zu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
