Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| bitte | /ˈbɪtə/ |
| gern geschehen | /ɡɛrn ɡəˈʃeːən/ /-ɡəˈʃeːn/ |
| keine Ursache | /ˈkaɪ̯nə ˈuːɐ̯ˌzaxə/ (word by word) |
| nichts zu danken |
These phrases are used to respond to someone thanking you. While bitte is the standard response, other options allow you to express varying degrees of warmth or informality. For example, you might use gerne to show you were happy to help or kein Problem to indicate that the favor was no trouble at all.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase gern geschehen literally means 'happened gladly'. The phrase keine Ursache literally means 'no cause', implying there is no reason for the thanks received.
Which one should you use?
bitte is the most common and versatile way to say 'you're welcome', though it is also the word for 'please' depending on the context. gern geschehen is slightly more polite and warm than the simple bitte, often implying that you were happy to help. keine Ursache is an informal equivalent to saying 'no problem' or 'no big deal'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more polite and complete version, you can use bitte schön. If you wish to be very formal, such as when saying 'it was my pleasure', use Es war mir ein Vergnügen. For informal situations, you can use gerne, kein Problem, nichts zu danken or keine Ursache.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In southern Germany, specifically Bavaria, the informal phrase Passt scho is used to say 'you're welcome'.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbɪtə/
Did you know?
- While bitte is the standard response to thanks, it can also be used to ask someone to repeat themselves if you didn't hear what they said.
- The most common way to say 'you're welcome', bitte, is actually an abbreviated form of 'I beg you'.
Examples in context
- „Danke für die Hilfe!“ – „Bitte schön!“"Thanks for your help." "You're welcome."This example shows how to use bitte (in the form bitte schön) to respond to thanks for help.Tatoeba #12420837 by Waldelfe, translation #12420830 by CK
- „Danke für eure Hilfe!“ – „Keine Ursache.“"Thank you for your help." "You're welcome."This example shows how to use keine Ursache to respond to thanks for help.Tatoeba #12258358 by mhr, translation #12258348 by Miktsoanit
- Keine Ursache, das war doch nicht der Rede wert.You're welcome, it was nothing.This example shows using keine Ursache to express that an action was not worth mentioning.Tatoeba #11918753 by Naina, translation #11662566 by timmartin
- 33 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah thanks Felix for handing her a pen.
- HannahDanke für den Stift!Thanks for the pen!
- FelixBitte!You're welcome!
- HannahDu bist sehr nett, Felix.You are very kind, Felix.
- FelixGerne geschehen!My pleasure!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “you're welcome” translations and entries bitte, gern geschehen, keine Ursache, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (keine, Ursache) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Ursache, bitte, gern, gern geschehen, geschehen, keine Ursache, nichts, zu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
