German word

dankbar

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈdaŋkbaːɐ̯/

Meaning

  • adjectivegrateful

Example

Ich wäre dir dankbar, wenn du mir helfen könntest.

I would be grateful if you could help me.

Illustration for dankbar (grateful)

More examples

Ich bin dankbar für deine Hilfe.

I am grateful for your help.

Core concept

A person looks toward the source of a benefit with warm appreciation for what was received.

Common phrases

  • jemandem dankbar sein

    be grateful to someone

  • dankbar für etwas sein

    be grateful for something

  • für kleine Gesten dankbar sein

    be grateful for small gestures

Similar words

verpflichtet: Feeling obliged by a favor and wishing to repay it.
wertschätzend: Expressing regard for someone's actions, character, or qualities.
zufrieden: Content because circumstances match one's expectations or wishes.

Definition in German

Ein Gefühl von Dank gegenüber einer Person oder einer Sache haben.

Word origin

Dankbar is formed from Dank and the suffix -bar, which often expresses possibility or suitability; its older sense was worthy of thanks.

Usage tips

  • Dankbar usually takes für with the accusative, as in dankbar für deine Hilfe, while danken takes a dative object.

Opposites

  • undankbarungratefuladjective

Related words

  • Dankbarkeitgratitudenoun
  • Danksagungthanksnoun
  • dankbarerweisethankfullyadverb

Word lists with this word