Ways to say it
| Dutch | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| bedankt | /bəˈdɑŋkt/ | |
| dank je | /ˈdɑŋk jə/ | |
| thanks | /ˈtɛŋks/ | informal |
These terms are used to express appreciation or gratitude. The noun for grateful feelings is dank, while bedankt can also function as a noun meaning an expression of gratitude.
Which one should you use?
The word thanks is a borrowed loanword from English used informally in Dutch. Bedankt is a casual expression used to say "thanks" among friends, family or acquaintances, while dank je is used when speaking to friends, family or people your own age.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For casual situations among friends, family or acquaintances, you can use bedankt or dank je. The English loanword thanks is also used informally. In formal situations, such as when speaking to someone older or in authority, use dank u wel. For more polite or special occasions, you might use Hartelijk dank (heartfelt thanks) or the phrase Ik ben u zeer dankbaar (I am very grateful to you).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the word wel to dank je creates the common expression dank je wel, which functions like 'thank you very much'.
How do you pronounce it?
/bəˈdɑŋkt/
When do people say it?
The standard response to bedankt or dank je is graag gedaan, which literally means 'done gladly'. To add extra emphasis and convey a higher level of warmth or gratitude, you can say Super bedankt.
Did you know?
- In some Belgian regions, you may hear merci used instead of bedankt due to the historical influence of French on Dutch in Flanders.
- The Dutch word for 'thanks', dank, shares the same Proto-Germanic root as the English word 'think'.
- The word bedankt is actually a past participle of the verb bedanken, meaning the speaker is literally saying they 'have been thanked' or 'have thanked'.
Examples in context
- Dank je wel, kerel.Thanks, bud!This example shows how to use dank je when addressing a male friend.Tatoeba #8430383 by Elsofie, translation #2730962 by Hybrid
- Dank je wel, makker!Thanks, buddy!This example shows another way to address a friend using dank je.Tatoeba #7786628 by Micsmithel, translation #2730963 by Hybrid
- Bedankt en tot gauw!Thanks and see you soon!This example shows the use of bedankt when saying goodbye.Tatoeba #8466743 by MarijnKp, translation #10250269 by Rawrren
- Oh, dank je wel!Oh, thank you!
- 165 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas gives Lisa a coffee at the office.
- LucasHier is je koffie.Here is your coffee.
- LisaOh, bedankt, Lucas!Oh, thanks, Lucas!
- LucasGraag gedaan.You're welcome.
- LisaHet is erg lekker.It is very tasty.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “thanks” translations and entries bedankt, dank je, thanks, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bedankt, dank, thanks, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
