bitte
please
A particle used to formulate a polite request or instruction.
EXAMPLE
Gib mir bitte das Salz.
Please pass me the salt.
bitte
please
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Meanings
bitte
you're welcome
A polite response to thanks, in the sense of 'you're welcome' or 'no problem'.
EXAMPLE
Vielen Dank für deine Hilfe! – Bitte!
Thank you very much for your help! — You're welcome!
bitte
here you go
Used to offer or hand something to someone.
EXAMPLE
Bitte, nehmen Sie doch noch ein Stück Kuchen.
Here you go, please have another piece of cake.
Wie bitte?
Pardon?
A question used to ask for the repetition of something you did not understand.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe dich akustisch nicht verstanden, wie bitte?
I didn't hear you clearly—pardon?
bitte schön / bitte sehr
here you are / you're welcome
A stronger, often more formal or friendlier form used to offer something, hand something over, or respond to thanks.
EXAMPLE
Hier ist Ihr Kaffee. – Danke! – Bitte sehr.
Here is your coffee. — Thank you! — You're very welcome.
Usage tips
Word family
The word 'bitte' comes from the verb 'bitten' (to ask/request). So when you say 'bitte' (please), you are literally formulating a small 'Bitte' (request).
EXAMPLE
Ich möchte Sie um einen Gefallen bitten.
I would like to ask you for a favor.
Context is everything
The meaning of 'bitte' depends heavily on the situation. Whether it is a request, a response to 'Danke' (thank you), or an offer can be recognized from the context and from the reaction of the person you are speaking to.
EXAMPLE
Hier, bitte, das ist für Sie. – Oh, danke! – Bitte!
Here you go, this is for you. — Oh, thank you! — You're welcome!
Flexible word order
In a polite request or instruction, 'bitte' can flexibly stand at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of the sentence without changing the meaning.
EXAMPLE
Bitte schließen Sie die Tür.
Please close the door.
Response to "thank you"
In response to 'Danke' (thank you), 'bitte' (you're welcome) is the most common and natural answer. It is short, polite, and used in almost all situations.
EXAMPLE
Hier ist dein Kaffee. – Oh, danke schön! – Bitte.
Here is your coffee. — Oh, thank you very much! — You're welcome.
Polite follow-up question
If you did not understand something, 'Wie bitte?' (Pardon?) is a polite and neutral way to ask for repetition. It is much more polite than 'Was?' (What?).
EXAMPLE
Entschuldigung, die Verbindung war schlecht. Wie bitte?
Sorry, the connection was bad. Pardon?
Emphasis
The forms 'bitte schön' and 'bitte sehr' are somewhat more formal or emphatic than the simple 'bitte'. They are often used in service situations when handing something to someone.
EXAMPLE
Einmal Pommes mit Ketchup, bitte sehr!
One order of fries with ketchup—here you are!
Compare with
bitte vs mal
once / times
Mal and bitte can make a request sound less harsh. Mal mainly makes it sound casual and offhand, while bitte explicitly expresses politeness. In a familiar conversation, mal is suitable; for a clearly polite request, use bitte.
bitte
Komm bitte kurz ins Büro.
Please come by the office for a moment.
mal
Komm mal kurz ins Büro.
Come by the office for a moment.
In real life
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