bitte
/ˈbɪtə/
adverb
Origin
Old High German
bittan — to ask, pray, request
Overview
Meaning Now
- please; used to make a request polite.
- you're welcome; a standard response to 'danke' (thank you).
- pardon? or excuse me? used when requesting someone to repeat what they said.
Literal older meaning
I ask (of you)
Language path
Old High German → Middle High German → German
Earliest form
bitta
Earliest period
8th century
Journey
The word originates from the Proto-Germanic *bidjaną. Through ellipsis of phrases like 'ich bitte' (I ask/I pray), it evolved into the standard German polite marker and response to gratitude, replacing older forms like 'nichts zu danken'.
Evolution
- Old High German (8th century)
bitta
“request, petition”
- Middle High German
bitte
“request, I ask”
Transition from noun/verb phrase to fixed adverbial formula.
- Modern German
bitte
“please/you're welcome”
Connections
Word parts
bitt-
root
ask
-e
ending
first-person singular indicative marker
Related across languages
English
bid
to command or invite (archaic sense)
Dutch
bidden
to pray
Swedish
bedja
to ask or pray
Explore next
Related to bitte
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.