What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of danke (thanks), für (for) and das Geschenk (the gift).
Which one should you use?
While danke für das Geschenk is the standard way to express this, you can also use Vielen Dank für das Geschenk to provide a slightly more formal or emphasized expression of gratitude. For a more formal or professional context, you might replace Geschenk with the high-register synonym Präsent to say Danke für das Präsent.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
If you want to be more formal, you can use phrases such as Vielen herzlichen Dank für das Geschenk!, Ich möchte mich ganz herzlich für das Präsent bedanken, Es war äußerst großzügig von Ihnen, mir dieses Geschenk zu machen, Ihr Geschenk hat mir große Freude bereitet. Ich bin wirklich dankbar, or Ich bin Ihnen aufrichtig dankbar für das wunderbare Geschenk.
How does it change in a sentence?
The preposition für always requires the accusative case, which is why the neuter article used is das rather than dem. If you want to express thanks for multiple presents, change the article and noun to the plural form die Geschenke to say Danke für die Geschenke.
When do people say it?
For informal situations, you might say Wahnsinn, vielen Dank für das coole Geschenk! or Ich wollte nur mal schnell "Danke" sagen für das tolle Geschenk."
Did you know?
- The German word schenken used in Geschenk specifically means to give something as a gift, whereas 'give' in English can describe any transfer of an object.
- The German word for 'the' in this phrase, das, is a direct linguistic relative of the English word 'that'.
- The word Geschenk is built from the prefix ge- and the verb schenken, which means 'to give as a gift'.
Examples in context
- Danke für das Geschenk.Thank you for the present.This sentence shows the standard way to say thank you for the present.Tatoeba #830123 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #274353 by CK
- Danke für das Geschenk, das du meinem Sohn gemacht hast.Thank you for the present you gave my son.This sentence is useful for expressing thanks for a present given to someone else, such as a son.Tatoeba #1830003 by Tamy, translation #251373 by CK
- Das ist ein tolles Präsent! Vielen Dank.This is a great present! Thank you.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas gives Sarah a small box on her birthday.
- SarahWas ist das?What is this?
- LukasEin kleines Geschenk für dich.A little present for you.
- SarahOh, danke für das Geschenk, Lukas!Oh, thank you for the present, Lukas!
- LukasGerne geschehen!You're welcome!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Geschenk, danke, das, für, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
