to thank
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to thank
To express one's thanks for something; to tell someone that you are grateful for help, a gift, or a kindness.
Ich wollte mich noch einmal herzlich für Ihre Hilfe bedanken.
I wanted to thank you once again sincerely for your help.
to decline
Colloquial and ironic, used to express that you are doing without or rejecting something unpleasant.
Schon wieder Überstunden am Wochenende? Nein, da bedanke ich mich!
Overtime on the weekend again? No, I'll decline, thanks!
The verb 'bedanken' (to thank) is reflexive and is always used with a reflexive pronoun: 'mich', 'dich', 'sich', 'uns', 'euch'. This pronoun must always match the subject of the sentence.
Ich bedanke mich für die Einladung.
I thank you for the invitation.
The verb has a fixed structure: you thank someone with 'bei' plus a person in the dative, and 'für' plus a thing in the accusative. Both prepositions are often necessary for a complete sentence.
Er bedankt sich bei seiner Kollegin für die Unterstützung.
He thanks his colleague for the support.
The prefix 'be-' is inseparable. It stays firmly attached to the verb stem 'danken' in all tenses and sentence types.
Sie bedankte sich mit einem Lächeln.
She thanked him with a smile.
In colloquial language, 'Na, da bedanke ich mich!' can be an ironic way to reject an unpleasant offer. The tone of voice makes the meaning clear here.
Noch mehr Arbeit für das gleiche Geld? Da bedanke ich mich aber.
Even more work for the same pay? No thanks, I'll pass.
to thank
Both verbs express thanks for help, a gift, or a kindness. With „danken“, the person is used directly in the dative, while with „sich bedanken“, the person usually follows „bei“. Both forms are idiomatic; „sich bedanken“ often makes the act of thanking a little more explicit.
Ich bedanke mich bei dir für das Geschenk zum Geburtstag.
I would like to thank you for the birthday gift.
Ich danke dir für das Geschenk zum Geburtstag.
I thank you for the birthday gift.
