German › Phrases › You’re welcome
The quick answer: you’re welcome in German is Bitte (BIT-tuh) — yes, the same word as “please”. Warmer options: Bitte schön and Gern geschehen (“gladly done”). Hear them all below. 👇
Bitte schön!
bit-tuh SHURN · “you’re very welcome”
🐌 Play slow version
Every way to say you’re welcome
| German | Say it like | Use it when… | Listen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bitte | BIT-tuh | the standard reply to Danke | |
| Bitte schön | bit-tuh SHURN | “you’re very welcome” — with a smile | |
| Gern geschehen | gehrn geh-SHAY-en | “gladly done” — the warmest | |
| Gerne! | GAIR-nuh | “gladly!” — short, popular, friendly | |
| Kein Problem | kine pro-BLEHM | “no problem” — casual | |
| Keine Ursache | KY-nuh OOR-zah-khuh | “no cause (for thanks)” — modest | |
| Nichts zu danken | nishts tsoo DAHN-ken | “nothing to thank for” |
💡 Pronunciation tip: Gerne is the modern favorite — GAIR-nuh, two beats. Waiters say it constantly. Steal it and you’ll sound ten years more fluent.
The bitte universe, completed
If you read our Thank You in German lesson, you know bitte does five jobs. This is its finest one: the seamless Danke→Bitte exchange that oils every German day — at the bakery, the bus, the office. Danke. Bitte. Done. Civilization maintained.
🇩🇪 A small culture note: Germans reply to thanks almost without exception — leaving a Danke hanging in silence feels genuinely unfinished. Even the busiest Berlin cashier will return a clipped “bitte”. It’s not friendliness; it’s completing the circuit.
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Practice: quick check
1. You hold the door; someone says Danke…
Bitte! — quick and complete. Circuit closed.
2. You helped your German friend move apartments…
Gern geschehen! — “it was a pleasure” — for thanks that deserve warmth back.
3. A tourist thanks you for directions…
Gerne! — modern, light, friendly. The reply that smiles.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common way to say you’re welcome in German?
Bitte — the same word that means “please”. After a Danke, a simple Bitte (or warmer Bitte schön) is the standard reply everywhere in Germany.
What does gern geschehen mean?
Literally “[it was] gladly done” — the favor was a pleasure. It’s the warmest common reply and works in every situation, formal or friendly.
Bitte or bitte schön — what’s the difference?
Bitte is the quick everyday reply; bitte schön adds a smile — like “you’re very welcome”. Shop assistants say bitte schön when handing you something; between friends, plain bitte is plenty.