What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of danke (thanks), für (for) and alles (everything).
Which one should you use?
While danke für alles is a common way to express gratitude, it can sometimes sound slightly final or conclusive, as if a specific chapter or relationship is ending.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Adding Vielen to the beginning to create Vielen Dank für alles makes the expression more formal and emphasizes the depth of gratitude. For highly formal settings, you might use the sentence Ich möchte mich herzlich bei Ihnen für alles bedanken. Conversely, in informal settings, you might say Ich danke dir für alles, was du getan hast. or Ich möchte mich herzlich bei dir für alles bedanken.
How does it change in a sentence?
The preposition für always requires the accusative case, which is why alles is used in its neutral accusative form.
Did you know?
- While danke is used for gratitude, the related verb danken shares an ancient root with the word for 'thought', suggesting that thanking someone is an act of remembering their kindness.
- The word alles shares a common ancestor with the Gothic word allata, proving the concept of 'everything' has been linguistically stable for a very long time.
Examples in context
- Danke für alles, was du für uns getan hast!Thank you for everything you've done for us.This sentence shows how to use danke für alles when mentioning things someone has done for us.Tatoeba #9000423 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #8999707 by CK
- Danke für alles, was du für mich getan hast!Thank you for everything you've done for me.This sentence shows how to use danke für alles when mentioning things someone has done for me.Tatoeba #6027067 by Mo5555, translation #4308695 by CK
- Danke für alles.Thank you for everything.This sentence is a simple way to say danke für alles.Tatoeba #878808 by MUIRIEL, translation #2107842 by Eldad
- Ich möchte Ihnen von Herzen danken, dass Sie mir geholfen haben. Vielen Dank für alles!I would like to sincerely thank you for helping me. Thank you very much for everything!
- Als mein Vorgesetzter haben Sie mich immer unterstützt. Ich danke Ihnen für alles, was Sie getan haben.As my supervisor, you have always supported me. I thank you for everything you have done.
- Sie haben so viel Zeit und Mühe investiert, um mir zu helfen. Ich möchte mich herzlich bei Ihnen für alles bedanken.You've invested so much time and effort to help me. I would like to sincerely thank you for everything.
- Ohne deine Unterstützung hätte ich das nie geschafft. Ich danke dir für alles, was du getan hast.I could have never achieved this without your support. I thank you for everything you have done.
- Du bist immer für mich da und ich schätze dich sehr. Ich möchte mich herzlich bei dir für alles bedanken.You are always there for me, and I appreciate you greatly. I would like to sincerely thank you for everything.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Felix are saying goodbye after a long volunteer project.
- JuliaDanke für alles, Felix.Thank you for everything, Felix.
- FelixGerne geschehen, Julia.You're welcome, Julia.
- JuliaDu warst eine große Hilfe.You were a great help.
- FelixDas war mir ein Vergnügen.It was my pleasure.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries alles, danke, für, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
