Meaning
A polite and often slightly more emphatic 'you're welcome'.
Cultural Background
In Germany, responding to 'Danke' is mandatory. Silence is considered very rude. 'Gerne geschehen' is the safest way to be polite without being overly intimate. Austrians often use 'Gerne' on its own or 'Bitte sehr' more frequently, but 'Gerne geschehen' is perfectly understood and respected as high-standard German. Swiss German speakers might use 'Gärn gscheh' in dialect, which is the direct equivalent. It is used frequently in the service industry.
Drop the 'e'
Saying 'Gern geschehen' (without the 'e' on Gern) makes you sound much more like a native speaker in casual conversation.
Don't over-pronounce the 'h'
The 'h' in 'geschehen' is silent; it just makes the 'e' longer. Don't say 'ge-she-hen'.
Meaning
A polite and often slightly more emphatic 'you're welcome'.
Drop the 'e'
Saying 'Gern geschehen' (without the 'e' on Gern) makes you sound much more like a native speaker in casual conversation.
Don't over-pronounce the 'h'
The 'h' in 'geschehen' is silent; it just makes the 'e' longer. Don't say 'ge-she-hen'.
Test Yourself
Complete the response to the thanks.
A: Danke für die Blumen! B: ______ geschehen.
'Gerne' is the adverb that completes this fixed expression.
Which is the most polite response in a shop?
Kunde: 'Vielen Dank!' Verkäufer: ?
It is the standard professional response.
Match the German phrase to its English equivalent.
1. Gerne geschehen, 2. Keine Ursache, 3. Bitte
Gerne geschehen is more like 'my pleasure'.
Finish the dialogue.
Kellner: 'Hier ist Ihr {der|m} Salat.' Gast: 'Danke sehr!' Kellner: '______ ______.'
While 'Bitte schön' works, 'Gerne geschehen' is a very common professional response.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Ways to say You're Welcome
Formal
- • Gerne geschehen
- • Bitte sehr
Informal
- • Kein Problem
- • Kein Ding
Practice Bank
4 exercisesA: Danke für die Blumen! B: ______ geschehen.
'Gerne' is the adverb that completes this fixed expression.
Kunde: 'Vielen Dank!' Verkäufer: ?
It is the standard professional response.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Gerne geschehen is more like 'my pleasure'.
Kellner: 'Hier ist Ihr {der|m} Salat.' Gast: 'Danke sehr!' Kellner: '______ ______.'
While 'Bitte schön' works, 'Gerne geschehen' is a very common professional response.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsNo, it's fine for friends if you've done them a real favor, but 'Kein Problem' is more common for small things.
Yes! 'Gerne' or 'Sehr gerne' is a very common short version used by native speakers.
There is no difference in meaning. 'Gern' is more common in speech, 'Gerne' is slightly more formal/written.
Yes, it is standard across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Related Phrases
Bitte sehr
similarYou're very welcome
Keine Ursache
similarNo cause (for thanks)
Nichts zu danken
synonymNothing to thank for
Mit Vergnügen
specialized formWith pleasure
