danke
4 synonyms and 1 antonym for danke, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Interjection — Thank you, in German.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
bitte (you're welcome)
How to use danke
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
danke schön
danke sehr
vielen Dank
na dann, danke
Casual and everyday in German. English speakers use it playfully or when travelling; it is not part of ordinary English writing.
Etymology
German danke 'thanks', from danken 'to thank', related to English thank.
Full origin of danke →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between danke and danke schön?
Danke is a plain 'thanks' and works in almost any situation. Danke schön adds warmth, closer to 'thank you very much', and is what you would use for a real favour or a gift.
How do you pronounce danke?
Roughly DUNK-uh: the a is short as in 'bun', and the final e is a soft unstressed 'uh', never silent.
What do you say back to danke?
Bitte is the standard reply, meaning 'you're welcome'. Gern geschehen or kein Problem are warmer, more informal alternatives.
