In most cultures, it is custom to express gratitude in some way or another. The dictionary defines gratitude as follows: it is “the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness”. Giving a sincere, thankful response to someone’s actions or words is often the ‘glue’ that keeps relationships together. This is true in most societies! Doing so in a foreign country also shows your respect and appreciation for the culture. Words have great power – use these ones sincerely and often!
The magical words that can bring a smile to any face. For one day, truly mean it whenever you say these words, and see how this lifts your spirit too!
2- That’s very kind of you.
Das ist sehr nett von dir/Ihnen (informal/formal).
This phrase is appropriate when someone clearly goes out of their way to give good service, or to offer you a kindness.
3- Thanks for your kind words!
Danke für deine/ihre netten Worte!
Someone paid you a compliment and made you feel good? That is kind of him/her, so express your gratitude!
4- Thank you for coming today.
Danke, dass du heute gekommen bist.
This welcoming phrase should be part of your arsenal if you’re conducting more formal meetings with German speakers. If you’re hosting a party, this is also a good phrase when you greet your German guests!
5- Thank you for your consideration.
Danke für deine/ihre Berücksichtigung.
This is a more formal, almost solemn way to thank someone for their thoughtfulness and sensitivity towards you. It is also suitable to use when a native speaker has to consider something you submit, like a job application, a project or a proposal. You are thanking them, in essence, for time and effort they are about to, or have spent on your submission.
6- Thanks a lot!
Danke vielmals!
This means the same as ‘Thank you’, but with energy and enthusiasm added! It means almost the same as ‘thank you so much’ in German. Use this in an informal setting with your German friends or teachers.
7- Teachers like you are not easy to find.
Lehrer wie Sie sind nicht leicht zu finden.
Some phrases are compliments, which express gratitude by inference. This is one of them. If you’re particularly impressed with your GermanPod101 teacher, this is an excellent phrase to memorize!
8- Thank you for spending time with us.
Vielen Dank für die gemeinsame Zeit.
Any host at a gathering with German speakers, such as a meeting or a party, should have this under his/her belt! Use it when you’re saying goodbye or busy closing a meeting. It could also be another lovely way to thank your German language teacher for her time.
9- Thank you for being patient and helping me improve.
Vielen Dank für Ihre Geduld und die Unterstützung, mich zu verbessern.
This phrase is another sure way to melt any formal or informal German teacher’s heart! Teaching is not easy, and often a lot of patience is required from the teacher. Thank him/her for it! It’s also a good phrase to use if you work in Germany, and want to thank your trainer or employer. You will go a long way towards making yourself a popular employee – gratitude is the most attractive trait in any person!
10- You’re the best teacher ever!
Sie sind der beste Lehrer den es gibt!
This is also an enthusiastic way to thank your teacher by means of a compliment. It could just make their day!
11- Thank you for the gift.
Danke für das Geschenk.
This is a good phrase to remember when you’re the lucky recipient of a gift. Show your respect and gratitude with these words.
12- I have learned so much thanks to you.
Ich habe so viel durch sie gelernt
What a wonderful compliment to give a good teacher! It means they have succeeded in their goal, and you’re thankful for it.
2. Video Lesson: Learn to Say ‘Thank You’ in 3 Minutes
In Germany manners and etiquette are very important. “Please,” “Thank You,” and “You’re Welcome” are parts of everyday interactions and should be used often. In most cases a simple danke will suffice however just like in English there are many ways to say thank you.
1- Dankeschön.
In Germany “Thank you.” is dankeschön. The first word of the phrase danke means thanks. This is followed by schön, which in German is “beautiful”. Now in German there are other ways to express one’s gratitude. There are more formal and more casual ways to do this.
2- Danke.
Let’s take a look at the casual way. In German the casual way of expressing gratitude, the equivalent of “Thanks” is danke. This phrase is used among friends, in other casual situations, continue on with more examples if possible.
3- Vielen Dank.
For very special occasions when someone goes above and beyond the call of being kind, when someone is extremely generous, or for any other time you’re extremely grateful, we have the following phrases to express extreme gratitude: The first one is vielen Dank or “many thanks”. The first word vielen means “many” in English.
4- Herzlichen Dank.
Next is Herzlichen Dank, which means “heart felt thanks” in English.
5- Ich Danke Ihnen.
In a formal situation it is important to address people in the formal Sie and Ihnen forms. This is especially important if you don’t know the person, in business settings, or any case when more distance is required. A good example would be meeting a professor, an employer, or in a business meeting. In these situations a simple danke is by no means , however using the formal Ich danke Ihnen is more common and more appropriate. Now let’s go over that one once more. The first word Ich is German for “I”. Then danke, and the last word Ihnen which is the formal form for the English “you”. To review the formal form of “thank you” is Ich danke Ihnen. These phrases are important and easy to use everyday. So wherever you go in Germany always remember to say danke.
Cultural Insights
It’s always a good thing to say danke or dankeschön after any helpful interaction. In formal situations because of the formal pronouns Sie and Ihnen the best way to say thank you is Ich danke Ihnen. You can use this form anytime you are not familiar with the person you are thanking. The German language has a set of vowels that we don’t have in English. These vowels are topped with two points above the letter called an Umlaut. We see this in the vowel ö in schön. You may be familiar with the song Danke Schoen by Wayne Newton where the word schön is mispronounced “shane” in order to rhyme with pain. The correct way to pronounce this vowel is with your lips slightly more closed like you’re about to whistle. The closest sound in English would be the word “earn”.
On the run to Germany? Wait! You can’t go without some basic language phrases under your belt! Especially if you’re heading to meet your prospective employer! Either in person or online, knowing how to say ‘Thank you’ in the German language will only improve their impression of you! GermanPod101 saves you time with this short lesson that nevertheless packs a punch. Learn to say ‘Thank you’ in German in no time!
3. Audio Lesson: Survival Phrases – Thank You
Perhaps you think it’s unimportant that you don’t know what ‘Thank you’ is in German, or that it’s too difficult a language to learn. Yet, as a traveler or visitor, you will be surprised at how far you can go using a little bit of German in Germany!
At GermanPod101, we offer you a few ways of saying ‘Thank you’ in German that you have no excuse not knowing, as they’re so simple and easy to learn. The lesson is geared to aid your ‘survival’ in formal and informal situations in Germany, so don’t wait! You will never have to google ‘How do you say thanks in German’ again…!
4. ‘Thank You’ in 31 Languages
For the global traveler in a hurry, here are 31 ways to say ‘Thank you’! These are the first words you need to learn in any foreign language – it is sure to smooth your way with native speakers by showing your gratitude for services rendered, and your respect for their culture! Learn and know how to correctly say ‘Thank you’ in 31 different languages in this short video.
5. Why would GermanPod101 be the perfect choice to learn German?
However, you need not stop at ‘Thank you’ in German – why not learn to speak the language?! You have absolutely nothing to lose. Research has shown that learning a new language increases intelligence and combats brain-aging. Also, the ability to communicate with native speakers in their own language is an instant way to make friends and win respect! Or imagine you know how to write ‘Thank you’ to that special German friend after a date…he/she will be so impressed!
GermanPod101 Has Special Lessons, Tools and Resources to Teach You How to Say Thank You and Other Key Phrases
With more than a decade of experience behind us, we have taught thousands of satisfied users to speak foreign languages. How do we do this? First, we take the pain out of learning! At GermanPod101, students are assisted as they master vocabulary, pronunciation, and conversation through state-of-the-art and fun online learning methods. A library replete with learning resources allows for you to learn at your own pace and in your own space! Resources include thousands of video and audio recordings, downloadable PDF lessons and plenty of learning apps for your mobile devices. Each month, we add benefits with FREE bonuses and gifts to improve your experience.
We accommodate all levels and types of learners, from Absolute Beginner to Advanced, and GermanPod101 is free for anyone to sign up. However, you can choose to fast track your fluency with lesson customization and increased interactive learning and practicing. Upgrade to Premium, or Premium PLUS to enhance your experience and greatly expedite your learning. With this type of assistance, and pleasurable effort on your part, you will speak German in a very short period of time!
Best of all is that you’re never alone! We believe that practice is the holy grail of learning any new language, and we gear our courses to ensure lots of it. Enroll with us, and you gain immediate access to our lively forum where we meet and greet, and discuss your burning questions. Our certified teachers are friendly and helpful, and you are very likely to practice your first ‘Thanks!’ in German on him/her, AND mean it! Hurry up, and sign up now – you will thank us for it.
Learn 4 honest reasons you need German slang words and why they are so vital to truly learning and mastering the language.
Teachers may normally cringe at the thought of their students learning German slang words. After all, slang words and phrases are typically defined as being grammatically incorrect. So why would your teacher want you to spend time learning the “wrong way” to speak German? Here are 4 of the top reasons why you should study slang words and expressions when learning German or any new language.
1. Native Speakers Use Slang Expressions in Everyday Conversation
If you are going to study a foreign language and plan to use it to speak with native speakers, then you have to learn slang words and expressions. Otherwise, just using formal expressions and grammar may alienate you from native speakers and make it more difficult to establish a real connection. So it is best to at least learn some common slang words and expressions if you’re planning to meet or speak socially with someone.
2. Slang Words Are Used All Throughout German Culture
If you turn on any popular German TV show, listen to any song, or watch any movie, you are quickly going to see the value of learning German slang phrases. Just like everyday conversations between native speakers, German culture is filled with slang phrases and expressions. Without at least some knowledge of the more common slang phrases, popular culture and most conversations will be very confusing and potentially alienating.
3. Slang Expressions Help You Better Express Your True Thoughts and Feelings
Only relying on formal grammar and vocabulary is very limiting, especially in social situations. Just like in your native language, using the appropriate German slang words can help you express a broader range of emotions, thoughts, and feelings.
4. Proper Use of Slang Makes You Sound More Natural
We’ve all met foreigners who technically used formal language perfectly but still sounded odd and well….foreign. But when you use the right slang words and expressions, you will sound more natural and like a true native speaker. If you notice, even most politicians include a sprinkling of slang expressions and words throughout their speeches to help them sound more natural and to better connect with the audience.
The Dark Side of Slang Expressions
Learning German slang words can indeed help you sound more natural, better understand the people and culture, and make integration much easier. However, there is a dark side: using the wrong slang expressions can also make you look foolish, uneducated, and potentially disrespectful.
But how do you know which slang words or phrases to use and when?
The truth is that you can’t learn the most modern and appropriate slang words in textbooks or formal classroom settings. By the time the information gets incorporated into a formal curriculum, it’s already outdated and no longer in use by actual German people. And while you can learn current slang expressions from German TV shows, movies, songs, and games, you may not understand the context. If that happens, you may use the right German slang words but in the wrong situation and still look like a fool or possibly even offend someone.
So where can you learn current slang expressions and the right context in which to use them?
At GermanPod101, native speaking instructors create audio and video lessons that can include slang expressions and words. Our instructors provide context and examples for all the German slang words used in any lesson to make sure students understand the right time and place to use them.
German slang words and expressions may be grammatically incorrect but they are vital to truly understanding and immersing yourself in the culture. In fact, it will be very difficult to fully understand any movie, TV show, song, game, or even 1-on-1 conversation without knowing a few of the more common slang expressions.
However, it is important to learn the proper context and use of even popular slang expressions or you may come across as confusing, disrespectful, or uneducated.
At GermanPod101, you’ll learn how to use slang phrases and words to draw the right attention and avoid these problems.
For German learners: You need to know that, unfortunately, the real world looks a bit different from what you learnt, more confusing and less structured with the use of slang. Here we will tell you why you must study slang, and you will learn 5 of the most used German slangs in everyday life and how to use them properly!
Slang is an aspect of language that isn’t usually taught in the classroom but is an important part of becoming proficient in any language. A person learning German might attend daily classes. They might study the grammar and the formalities and might even produce complex and coherent sentences. But, take this student out of the classroom and away from the textbooks, and they will encounter a world of language that breaks the rules they learned.
Although studying proper German rules is important, slang is unavoidable, no matter what language you’re speaking. In drama and music, conversations and advertising, language becomes less formal and goes less and less “by the rules”. Real-life German is so different from the textbooks.
Taking the time to understand slang and informal speech will boost your communication and language skills, and save a whole lot of confusion. Slang will allow you to use language in a current, useful way. No amount of time in class can prepare you for the contemporary nuances you’ll be faced with when you put your language knowledge to practical use out in the real world.
It’s time to cover common German slang expressions that are used every day in Germany!
1. In den sauren Apfel beißen müssen – have to bite the bullet
The phrase In den sauren Apfel beißen müssen literally means “to have to bite into the sour apple.” But when it’s used as a slang expression, it means “have to bite the bullet.” You can use this expression when you have to get through difficult times or if you have to force yourself to get out of your comfort zone. This expression is used often by everyone.
Ich möchte nicht, aber ich muss jetzt in den sauren Apfel beißen und Hausaufgaben machen.
I don’t want to, but I need to bite the bullet and do homework.
2. Alte Liebe rostet nicht – An old flame never dies.
The slang expression Alte Liebe rostet nicht means “old flame never dies.” You can use this expression when you think you are still in love with your ex. This expression is used often by everyone.
Ich bin mit meinem Ex-Freund wieder zusammen. Alte Liebe rostet eben nicht.
I am with my ex-boyfriend again. Old love just never dies.
3. Mit Haut und Haaren – To be involved 100%
The expression Mit Haut und Haaren literally means “with skin and hair.” But when it’s used as a slang expression, it means “to be involved 100%.” You can use this expression when you want to express that you are giving all your efforts to something. This expression is used often by everyone.
Ich bin mit Haut und Haaren dabei.
I’m 100% involved.
The phrase Auf die Pelle rücken literally means “to move to one’s skin.” But when it’s used as a slang expression, it means “to crowd someone.” You can use this expression when you think someone is getting too close to you physically or when someone is getting on your nerves. This expression is used often by everyone.
Du rückst mir zu sehr auf die Pelle.
You’re too close to me.
5. Durch die Lappen gehen – to let slip through fingers
The phrase Durch die Lappen gehen means “to slip through his fingers.” You can use this expression when something gets lost. This expression is used often by everyone.
Das ist mir wohl durch die Lappen gegangen.
That actually slipped through my fingers.
Shortcuts for learning and tips to remember German words are useful but it’s even also important to fix objectives to reach every month! What Is Your Language Learning Goal for the Month?
In your journey to become fluent and conversational here are 10 monthly goals you can go after!
If you follow those monthly goals, you will be sure to make some amazing progress. And remember, if you’re really interested in getting on the fast-track to fluency, sign up for a FREE lifetime account at GermanPod101.com!
– Du bedeutest mir sehr viel.
You mean so much to me.
– Möchtest du mein Valentin sein?
Will you be my Valentine?
– Sie sind so schön.
You’re so beautiful.
– Du bist mehr als nur ein Freund für mich.
I think of you as more than a friend.
– Hundert Herzen wären zu wenige, um all meine Liebe zu dir zu tragen.
A hundred hearts would be too few to carry all my love for you.
– Liebe ist nur Liebe. Es kann niemals erklärt werden.
Love is just love. It can never be explained.
– Du bist so schön.
You’re so handsome.
– Ich bin in dich verknallt.
I’ve got a crush on you.
– Du machst mich zu einem besseren Menschen.
You make me want to be a better man.
– Lasse deine Handlungen in der Liebe geschehen.
Let all that you do be done in love.
– Du bist mein Sonnenschein, meine Liebe.
You are my sunshine, my love.
– Worte können meine Liebe zu dir nicht beschreiben.
Words can’t describe my love for you.
– Wir waren füreinander bestimmt.
We were meant to be together.
– Solltest du – während du diese Zeilen liest – über jemanden nachdenken, bist du auf jeden Fall verliebt.
If you were thinking about someone while reading this, you’re definitely in love.
