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Difference between responding to "danke" with "bitte" versus "gerne"

German Language Asked by vinayp on December 13, 2020

I hear native German speakers respond to a danke with bitte as often as with gerne.

Is there a semantic difference between the two of them? Or a usage rule behind the choice? Is one more polite than the other?

4 Answers

"Bitte" is the "standard" answer to "Danke".

"Gerne" is short for "Gern geschehen!". According to the Duden, "gern" means

mit freudiger Bereitwilligkeit, Vergnügen

It therefore implies that the speaker was happy to help or do a favor ... and it all sounds more polite.

Correct answer by mgoni on December 13, 2020

For most people, bitte and gerne are almost entirely exchangeable when they are used as a response to danke. If anything, I would perceive gerne as slightly more polite/formal and therefore would tend to use it less with family or close friends. But that’s more of a very vage tendency.

Answered by Jan on December 13, 2020

"Bitte" corresponds to the English "You're welcome."

"Gerne" is more like "My pleasure."

The implication of the first set is, "Ok. here's what's yours."

The implication of the second set is, the doer feels that the asker is doing a favor, something "A to A" on Ouora.

Answered by Tom Au on December 13, 2020

With a quick search I found this (it's a bit tongue in cheek, but he's quite well known as a linguist): http://bastiansick.de/kolumnen/fragen-an-den-zwiebelfisch/bitte-danke-bitte

The author argues that "Bitte" is short for "Ich bitte Sie, das war doch selbstverständlich!" or similar sentences (maybe "Oh please, that was nothing!" in English). Here, you do not accept the gratitude, in your view you did nothing that would require it.

Answering with "Gerne" is noted as a new trend, mainly because people didn't understand the first option anymore. There you accept the gratitude, but express that you liked to do the action, so it was no problem for you.

So in conclusion, "Bitte" may be a bit more old-fashioned, but also more polite in theory.

Answered by mwil.me on December 13, 2020

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