die Bitte
request / favor
A wish or request for someone to do or give something, usually expressed politely.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe eine Bitte an dich: Kannst du mir helfen?
I have a request for you: Could you help me?
die Bitte
request / favor
die Bitte, die Bitten
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Meanings
auf Bitte
at the request
In response to someone's wish or request.
EXAMPLE
Auf Bitte der Eltern wurde die Veranstaltung verschoben.
At the request of the parents, the event was postponed.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Bitte, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Bitten |
| genitive | der Bitte |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Bitte | die Bitten |
| accusative | die Bitte | die Bitten |
| dative | der Bitte | den Bitten |
| genitive | der Bitte | der Bitten |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word family
'Bitte' belongs to the word family of the verb 'bitten' (to ask): When you ask someone for something, you make a 'Bitte' (request) to them. The noun is capitalized; the polite expression 'bitte' (please) is written with a lowercase letter.
EXAMPLE
Er bat mich um Hilfe, und ich habe seine Bitte gern erfüllt.
He asked me for help, and I was happy to fulfill his request.
Typical collocations
Common collocations include 'eine Bitte haben' (to have a request), 'eine Bitte äußern' (to make a request), and 'einer Bitte nachkommen' (to comply with a request). The person you are addressing is introduced with 'an' and the accusative; what you are asking for follows with 'um' and the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Sie hatte eine Bitte an ihren Nachbarn.
She had a request for her neighbor.
Seine Bitte um eine Fristverlängerung wurde abgelehnt.
His request for an extension was rejected.
Genitive after auf
In the fixed expression 'auf Bitte' (at the request), the person or institution usually follows in the genitive. This construction shows whose request prompted an action.
EXAMPLE
Auf Bitte des Veranstalters begann die Sitzung später.
At the organizer's request, the meeting began later.
In real life
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