How to Say Thank You in German: 16 Ways Beyond Danke

The Short Answer

The most common way to say thank you in German is Danke (DAHN-keh). It works across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and every other German-speaking region, in both casual and formal settings. But German offers a rich spectrum of gratitude expressions that vary in warmth, formality, and regional flavor.

German is spoken by over 130 million people worldwide and serves as an official language in six European countries. According to Ethnologue's 2024 data, it ranks among the top twelve most spoken languages globally. Across this vast linguistic territory, the ways people express thanks range from the brisk Danke of a Berlin commuter to the heartfelt Vergelt's Gott of a Bavarian farmer, each carrying distinct cultural weight.

"Politeness formulas in German (Danke, Bitte, Entschuldigung) are not mere formalities. They are the social glue of daily interaction, signaling respect and awareness of shared norms."

(Michael Clyne, The German Language in a Changing Europe, Cambridge University Press, 1995)

This guide covers 16 essential German expressions for saying thank you and responding to thanks, organized by category: universal, formal, emphatic, regional, and responses. Each includes pronunciation, an example sentence, and cultural context so you know exactly when and where to use it.

Quick Reference: German Thank-You Expressions at a Glance

Universal Thank-You Expressions

These expressions work across every German-speaking country and are listed as standard High German (Hochdeutsch) in the Duden, Germany's authoritative dictionary.

Danke

Danke is the foundation of German gratitude. It is the single word you need if you learn nothing else from this guide. Whether a cashier hands you change, a colleague holds a door, or a friend gives you advice, Danke fits perfectly.

The word derives from the Old High German thanc (thought, gratitude), sharing a root with the English "thank." Stress falls on the first syllable: DAHN-keh. Germans use it dozens of times a day. The Goethe-Institut identifies it as one of the first words every German language learner should master.

Danke schön

Adding schön (beautiful, nice) to Danke elevates the expression from a quick acknowledgment to a warmer, more personal thank-you. It is the go-to choice when you want to sound polite without being overly formal: perfect for thanking a waiter, accepting a gift, or responding to a kind gesture.

Note the pronunciation of schön: the German ö sound has no direct English equivalent. It sits between "uh" and "er," produced by rounding your lips as if saying "oo" while trying to say "ay." For practical purposes, SHURN is a close approximation.

Danke sehr

Danke sehr is the close sibling of Danke schön. The difference is subtle: schön adds warmth (literally "beautifully"), while sehr adds emphasis (literally "very"). In practice, they are almost interchangeable, but Danke sehr carries a slightly more composed, professional tone.

In business correspondence and formal interactions, Danke sehr edges ahead of Danke schön as the preferred choice. In casual conversation, most Germans use them interchangeably without thinking about the distinction.

Vielen Dank

Vielen Dank (many thanks) is one of the most frequently used thank-you expressions in both spoken and written German. It strikes an ideal balance between warmth and professionalism, making it the default choice for business emails, formal letters, and polite spoken exchanges.

The phrase is highly flexible. You can extend it with additional words: Vielen Dank im Voraus (many thanks in advance), Vielen Dank für alles (many thanks for everything), or Vielen herzlichen Dank (many heartfelt thanks). According to the Duden, Vielen Dank has been standard German since at least the 18th century.

Formal and Emphatic Expressions

When a simple Danke is not enough, whether due to the gravity of the situation or the formality of the setting, German offers several elevated alternatives.

Herzlichen Dank

Herzlichen Dank literally translates to "heartfelt thanks," drawing from Herz (heart). It is reserved for moments when you want to convey genuine, deep appreciation: a significant favor, a generous gift, or heartfelt support during a difficult time.

You will encounter Herzlichen Dank in formal speeches, thank-you cards, and professional correspondence where sincere gratitude is called for. It is also the standard closing formula in many German thank-you letters: Mit herzlichem Dank und freundlichen Grüßen (with heartfelt thanks and kind regards).

Ich danke Ihnen

By using the formal pronoun Ihnen (the dative form of Sie), this expression signals respect and deference. It is more personal than Vielen Dank because the speaker explicitly positions themselves as the grateful party. The casual equivalent, Ich danke dir, uses the informal du form and works among friends and family.

In German business culture, the distinction between du and Sie remains significant. As linguist Ulrich Ammon documents, the Sie form persists as a marker of professional respect even as some companies experiment with universal du policies. When in doubt, Ich danke Ihnen is always safe.

Tausend Dank

Tausend Dank is the German equivalent of "thanks a million": warm, enthusiastic, and slightly exaggerated for emotional effect. It works beautifully among friends and family when someone has gone above and beyond.

Danke vielmals

Danke vielmals (thanks many times) is an elegant way to amplify your gratitude without sounding overly formal. It occupies a comfortable middle ground: polished enough for professional settings, natural enough for everyday conversation. The Duden lists it as standard usage across all German-speaking regions.

Regional Thank-You Expressions

Just as German greetings vary dramatically by region, so do expressions of gratitude. These regional forms are not slang. They are respected, standard expressions within their territories.

Vergelt's Gott

Vergelt's Gott is the southern German and Austrian counterpart to Vielen Dank. The full form is Vergelt es Gott (May God repay it), contracted in everyday speech. Despite its religious etymology, it functions as a standard, secular expression of thanks in Bavaria and Austria. The traditional response is Segne es Gott (May God bless it) or simply Gern geschehen.

If you are visiting Munich, Salzburg, or Vienna, using Vergelt's Gott shows cultural awareness and respect for local traditions. You can hear this expression frequently in Austrian and Bavarian films. Our guide to the best movies to learn German includes several that showcase these regional forms.

How to Respond: "You're Welcome" in German

Knowing how to say thank you is only half the conversation. Here are the essential ways to respond when someone thanks you.

Bitte

Bitte is arguably the most multifunctional word in the German language. Depending on context, it means "please," "you're welcome," "here you go," "go ahead," or even "pardon?" As a response to Danke, it is the simplest and most universal choice.

The Duden documents at least six distinct usage contexts for Bitte, making it one of the first words every German learner should internalize. In the thank-you/you're-welcome exchange, a quick Bitte! is all you need.

Bitte schön

Just as Danke schön is a warmer version of Danke, Bitte schön is a warmer version of Bitte. The two form a natural conversational pair: Danke schön! / Bitte schön! You will hear this exchange dozens of times in any German shop or restaurant.

Bitte sehr also exists as the parallel to Danke sehr, with the same subtle distinction: slightly more composed and professional.

Gern geschehen

Gern geschehen communicates that whatever you did, you did it gladly. It carries more emotional weight than a simple Bitte because it explicitly tells the other person that helping was no burden. The shortened form Gerne! (gladly!) is equally common in casual conversation.

Keine Ursache

Keine Ursache literally means "no cause," as in, there is no cause for thanks. It politely downplays your effort and reassures the other person that no debt is owed. This expression sits in a polite, slightly formal register and works well in professional settings.

Kein Problem

Kein Problem mirrors the English "no problem" and has become increasingly common in contemporary German, especially among younger speakers. It is casual, direct, and works perfectly among friends and colleagues. Some German language purists note its English-influenced directness, but the Duden has long accepted it as standard usage.

Dafür nicht

Dafür nicht is a distinctly northern German response meaning "not for that," as in, that is not something you need to thank me for. It reflects the understated, no-fuss communication style associated with northern Germany. If you found the regional greeting differences interesting in German, you will notice the same north-south personality divide in how people respond to thanks.

Mit Vergnügen

Mit Vergnügen is the most refined response on this list. It translates to "with pleasure" and is the kind of reply you would hear from a concierge at a luxury hotel or in a formal professional exchange. It signals both politeness and genuine enjoyment in having been of service.

How to Respond to German Thank-You Expressions

Here is a quick reference for natural responses to common thank-you expressions.

Practice With Real German Content

Reading about these expressions is a strong start, but hearing them spoken naturally by native speakers is what makes them stick. German-language films and shows are excellent for this. You will hear Danke schön exchanged in a Berlin bakery, Vergelt's Gott spoken in a Bavarian farmhouse, and Gern geschehen in a formal Hamburg office, each with authentic intonation and context.

Wordy lets you take this further. Watch German movies and shows with interactive subtitles, tapping on any expression to see its meaning, pronunciation, and cultural context in real time. Instead of memorizing phrases from a list, you absorb them from real conversations with native speakers.

For more German content, explore our blog for guides including the best movies to learn German. You can also visit our German learning page to start practicing with native content today.