interjection
danke
DUNK-uh
Danke (interjection) means Thank you, in German. Example: “Danke, that's very kind of you.”
interjection
1
Thank you, in German.
"Danke, that's very kind of you."
"She smiled and said 'danke' as he held the door."
How to use danke
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe German word for 'thank you'.
When to use it
Casual and everyday in German. English speakers use it playfully or when travelling; it is not part of ordinary English writing.
Memory tip
The reply to danke is bitte, which does double duty as 'please' and 'you're welcome'.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
danke vs bitte
danke vs danke schön
danke vs Dank
Common pairings
danke schön
danke sehr
vielen Dank
na dann, danke
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Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____, that's very kind of you.
Etymology
German danke 'thanks', from danken 'to thank', related to English thank.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
bitte (you're welcome)
Related words
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.
What is the meaning of danke?
"danke" (interjection) means thank you, in German.
