Vielen Dank
In German, thank you so much is expressed as Vielen Dank.
Vielen Dank is a common way to say thank you very much in German. To specify what you are thankful for, you can use the structure Vielen Dank für… followed by the accusative case.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Vielen Dank literally translates to 'many thanks'.
Which one should you use?
While Danke means 'thanks', Vielen Dank is more emphatic and formal than the simple Danke. For even greater gratitude, you can use the elevated version Vielen herzlichen Dank, which means 'many heartfelt thanks'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions near the French border, particularly in the southwest, people occasionally use the French phrase Merci beaucoup.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase Vielen Dank, the word vielen is the accusative masculine form of viel because it modifies the masculine noun Dank.
When do people say it?
A common and polite response to Vielen Dank is Bitte sehr! or Gerne geschehen!
Did you know?
- The word vielen in Vielen Dank is in the accusative case because the phrase is shorthand for 'I give you many thanks'.
- If someone says Vielen Dank to you, responding with Keine Ursache is a cool, casual way to say 'no problem' or 'don't mention it'.
- The word Dank is a cognate of the English word 'thank', as both descend from the Proto-Germanic root *þankaz.
Examples in context
- Vielen Dank für eure Hilfe!Thank you so much for your help.This sentence shows how to use Vielen Dank to thank a group for their help.Tatoeba #9641646 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #9641604 by CK
- Vielen Dank! Ich bin am Leben.Thank you so much! I am alive.This sentence uses Vielen Dank to express relief and gratitude for being alive.Tatoeba #804735 by Esperantostern, translation #791658 by Zifre
- Vielen Dank, dass du mir hilfst!Thank you so much for helping me.This sentence uses Vielen Dank to express gratitude for a specific action.Tatoeba #6982444 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #5520534 by Hybrid
- Vielen herzlichen Dank für Ihre Unterstützung!Many heartfelt thanks for your support!
- Herzlichen Dank für die Einladung!Heartfelt thanks for the invitation!
- Vielen herzlichen Dank für Ihre Großzügigkeit!Many heartfelt thanks for your generosity!
- Ich danke Ihnen vielmals für die Gelegenheit!I thank you very much for the opportunity!
- Vielen Dank für die Hilfe!Thanks a lot for the help!
- Danke schön für das Geschenk!Thanks a lot for the gift!
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felix brings Sarah a coffee in the office.
- SarahVielen Dank für den Kaffee, Felix!Thank you so much for the coffee, Felix!
- FelixGerne geschehen, Sarah.You're welcome, Sarah.
- SarahDu bist wirklich sehr nett.You are really very kind.
- FelixKein Problem, das mache ich gerne.No problem, I'm happy to do it.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Dank, dank, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
