bitte
/ˈbɪtə/
The German word for "please" is bitte.
bitte is a common interjection used to make a polite request. You can also use the phrase bitte schön to be slightly more polite, as it emphasizes your willingness to fulfill the request.
Meaning: interjection to make a polite request (intj)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Southwestern Germany, especially in parts of Baden-Württemberg, you might hear the variation bittschön instead of the standard bitte schön.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Unlike in English, the German word bitte does not change its form depending on whether your request is formal or informal.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbɪtə/
When do people say it?
bitte can be used in several social contexts. If you use a rising intonation on Bitte?, it serves as a polite way to say "Pardon?" when you want someone to repeat what they said.
Did you know?
- In a restaurant or shop, a server will often say bitte when handing you your change or your meal, meaning 'here you go'.
- The word bitte is an ellipsis of the phrase ich bitte, which literally means 'I beg'.
- The word bitte is closely related to the English verb 'bid', as in 'to bid someone welcome' or 'to bid someone farewell'.
Examples in context
- Bitte ruf ihn an.Please ring him up.This sentence shows how to use bitte in a command.Tatoeba #651899 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #38458 by mcq
- Bitte sag es mir.Please, tell me.This sentence shows how to use bitte to make a request.Tatoeba #1314661 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #38579 by CK
- Gib es mir bitte!Give it to me, please.This sentence shows the placement of bitte at the end of a request.Tatoeba #2045585 by Tamy, translation #41825 by CK
- Könnten Sie mir bitte das Salz geben?Could you please pass me the salt?
- Entschuldigen Sie bitte, können Sie mir den Weg zum Bahnhof sagen?Excuse me, could you please tell me the way to the train station?
- Kannst du mir bitte das Wasser geben?Could you please pass me the water?
- Bitte schön!You're welcome!
- Kannschd du mr bittschön des Brot geba?Could you please pass me the bread?
- 5458 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Laura and Julian are at a dinner table.
- LauraReich mir bitte das Salz, Julian.Please pass me the salt, Julian.
- JulianHier ist es, Laura.Here it is, Laura.
- LauraDanke schön!Thank you very much!
- JulianGerne!You're welcome!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “please” translations and entries bitte, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bitte, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
