The standard way to say you're welcome in German is Bitte (BIT-teh) or Bitte schön. Just as common is Gern geschehen (glad to do it), often shortened to Gerne or Gern. Casual replies include Kein Problem and Kein Ding, and Nichts zu danken means "no need to thank me". All of them work with du and Sie.
- Standard
- Bitte, Bitte schön
- Glad to help
- Gern geschehen, Gerne
- Casual
- Kein Problem, Kein Ding
- Northern Germany
- Dafür nicht
- Bavaria and Austria
- Passt schon
- Level
- A1
Which German reply fits which situation?
None of these is wrong anywhere, but they carry different moods. Gern geschehen sounds warm and attentive; Kein Problem sounds relaxed; Bitte is the neutral reflex.
| German | Literally | Feel and use |
|---|---|---|
| Bitte | Please | Neutral reflex; anyone |
| Bitte schön / Bitte sehr | Please, nicely | Polite; common in shops and cafés |
| Gern geschehen | Gladly done | Warm; after a real favour |
| Gerne / Gern | Gladly | Friendly, quick; very common |
| Sehr gerne | Very gladly | Attentive; staff to customers |
| Kein Problem | No problem | Casual, relaxed |
| Kein Ding | No thing | Slangy; friends, younger people |
| Nichts zu danken | Nothing to thank for | Modest; "don't mention it" |
| Immer gerne | Always gladly | Friendly; "any time" |
Kein Problem also answers an apology. In this A1 story, a shy dog walker uses it to wave away Jonas's embarrassment after his dog drops a ball at her feet, and then keeps the conversation going:
"Kein Problem", sagt Lena. "Es ist kalt heute, oder?"Why does bitte mean both please and you're welcome?
Bitte comes from bitten, to ask or request. Over time it took on almost every polite job in a short exchange: asking, offering, answering thanks, and asking someone to repeat. Context tells you which.
Bitte schön, Ihr Kaffee.
Here you are, your coffee.
Handing something over.
Danke! – Bitte!
Thanks! – You're welcome!
Wie bitte?
Pardon?
When you didn't catch something.
Bitte?
Yes? / Can I help you?
A shop assistant when it's your turn.
More on the asking side is on the page about how to say please in German.
What does a thank-you exchange sound like in a German shop?
It often goes round twice. The assistant hands over your bag with Bitte schön, you say Danke schön, and they answer Bitte. Then the goodbyes carry a wish, and the reply to a wish is not you're welcome but Danke, gleichfalls (thanks, same to you).
Bitte schön. – Danke schön! – Bitte.
Here you go. – Thank you! – You're welcome.
Schönes Wochenende! – Danke, Ihnen auch!
Have a nice weekend! – Thanks, you too!
Danke für Ihre Hilfe. – Sehr gerne!
Thanks for your help. – My pleasure!
Do Germans say you're welcome differently in different regions?
Bitte and Gern geschehen work everywhere. Two regional replies are worth recognising:
- Dafür nicht (literally "not for that") is a northern German way of saying it was nothing. Elsewhere it can sound puzzling.
- Passt schon ("it's fine") is typical of Bavaria and Austria, and covers you're welcome, never mind and that'll do.
The other half of this exchange is on how to say thank you in German, and replies to an apology are on how to say sorry in German.
Read Lena and Jonas's first meeting on the park bench in a free A1 German chapter.
Read free in your browserFrequently asked questions
What is the most common way to say you're welcome in German?
Bitte and Gerne are probably the two you'll hear most in everyday life. Gern geschehen is the textbook answer and is also very common, especially after a real favour.
Is Kein Problem rude in German?
No, it's friendly. It's just casual. Staff in a hotel or a smart restaurant are more likely to say Gern geschehen or Sehr gerne.
What does Nichts zu danken mean?
"Nothing to thank me for", like "don't mention it". It plays down the favour, so it suits small helps such as holding a door or giving directions.
What is the difference between Bitte schön and Bitte sehr?
Very little. Both are polite versions of Bitte, used when you hand something over or answer thanks. Bitte sehr can sound a touch more formal.