die
Bitte
❓ What exactly is "die Bitte"?
Die Bitte is a feminine noun in German that means a request, a plea, or an appeal. It refers to a politely expressed wish or request made to another person to do or refrain from doing something. It signifies a need or desire intended to be fulfilled with the help of others.
🚨 Important Distinction: The noun die Bitte (a request) is different from the very common adverb/particle bitte (please / you're welcome). Although related, they have distinct grammatical functions.
- Die Bitte (noun): "Ich habe eine Bitte an dich." (I have a request for you.)
- bitte (adverb/particle): "Kannst du mir bitte helfen?" (Can you please help me?) / "Danke!" – "Bitte!" (Thanks! - You're welcome!)
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
🧐 Grammar: "Die Bitte" in Detail
The noun "Bitte" is feminine. Here is its declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Bitte |
| Genitive | der | Bitte |
| Dative | der | Bitte |
| Accusative | die | Bitte |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Bitten |
| Genitive | der | Bitten |
| Dative | den | Bitten |
| Accusative | die | Bitten |
Example Sentences:
- Seine Bitte um Aufschub wurde abgelehnt. (His request for a postponement was denied. - Nominative Singular)
- Trotz meiner wiederholten Bitte änderte er nichts. (Despite my repeated request, he changed nothing. - Genitive Singular - often used with 'von': Trotz meiner wiederholten Bitte...)
- Er entsprach meiner Bitte sofort. (He complied with my request immediately. - Dative Singular)
- Ich möchte eine Bitte äußern. (I would like to make a request. - Accusative Singular)
- Viele Bitten erreichten den Bürgermeister. (Many requests reached the mayor. - Nominative Plural)
🗣️ How to Use "die Bitte"
Die Bitte is used to describe the act of asking or the content of the request as a noun. It often appears in more formal contexts or when discussing a request rather than making one directly.
- Formal Requests: "Wir leiten Ihre Bitte an die zuständige Abteilung weiter." (We will forward your request to the responsible department.)
- Personal Wishes: "Meine größte Bitte ist, dass ihr alle gesund bleibt." (My biggest wish/request is that you all stay healthy.)
- Contrast to Command: A Bitte is polite and leaves the other person the choice to fulfill it or not, whereas a Befehl (command) is an order.
You can äußern (express), stellen (make/pose), haben (have), weiterleiten (forward), erfüllen (fulfill), ablehnen (reject/deny), or entsprechen (comply with) a Bitte.
⚠️ Don't confuse the noun die Bitte with the much more common particle/adverb bitte, used in direct requests or responses ("Ein Kaffee, bitte!" - A coffee, please!, "Bitte schön!" - Here you go! / You're welcome!).
🧠 Memory Aids for "die Bitte"
- Article Mnemonic (die): Think of making a request as a form of polite interaction. Politeness (die Höflichkeit - feminine) requires the feminine article die. Imagine die Queen making a polite Bitte.
- Meaning Mnemonic: A Bitte sounds a bit like asking for a 'bit'. You are politely asking for a 'bit' of someone's time, help, or resources.
Remember the verb bitten (to ask for, to request). If you know the verb, the noun die Bitte (the request) is closely related.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Words
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Das Gesuch: Often a more formal, written application or petition.
- Die Anfrage: More like an inquiry or query for information, but can imply a request.
- Der Wunsch: A wish or desire, less of a direct request for action.
- Die Aufforderung: Can range from a prompt to a demand, generally less polite than a Bitte.
- Das Anliegen: A matter of concern, often involving a request.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
- Der Befehl: A command, an order (not polite asking).
- Die Anordnung: An order or instruction, often official.
- Die Ablehnung: The rejection or refusal of a request.
- Die Verweigerung: The act of refusing to comply with a request or command.
Related Terms:
- bitten (verb): to ask, to request.
- erbeten (adjective/participle): requested (e.g., die erbetene Information - the requested information).
- bitteschön / bitte sehr: Common polite phrases like 'here you go', 'you're welcome', 'if you please'.
😂 A Little Joke
German: Fragt der Lehrer: „Fritzchen, nenne mir bitte drei Tiere aus Afrika.“
Fritzchen: „Zwei Löwen und ein Zebra.“
English Translation: The teacher asks: "Fritzchen, please name three animals from Africa."
Fritzchen: "Two lions and a zebra."
✍️ Poem about "Bitte"
German:
Ein leises Wort, nicht laut und forsch,
so klingt die Bitte, zart wie Borschtsch?
Nein, eher sanft, ein Wunsch gesandt,
mit offner Hand, von Land zu Land.
Ob groß, ob klein, ob fern, ob nah,
eine Bitte ist stets für Hilfe da.
Sie hofft auf Ja, doch nimmt auch Nein,
so sollte Höflichkeit stets sein.
English Translation:
A quiet word, not loud and bold,
that's how the request sounds, tender like borscht told?
No, rather gentle, a wish conveyed,
with open hand, a plea is made.
Whether big or small, whether far or near,
a request is always for help held dear.
It hopes for Yes, but accepts a No,
that's how politeness ought to flow.
🧩 Little Riddle
German:
Ich bin kein Befehl, doch frag' ich dich sacht.
Ich werde gestellt, geäußert, gemacht.
Erfüllt man mich gern, ist Freude im Raum.
Manchmal bleib ich leider nur ein unerfüllter Traum.
Was bin ich?
(Lösung: die Bitte)
English Translation:
I am not a command, yet I ask you gently.
I am posed, expressed, made essentially.
If I'm fulfilled gladly, joy fills the space.
Sometimes, alas, I remain but an unfulfilled dream's trace.
What am I?
(Answer: die Bitte / the request)
💡 Interesting Facts about "Bitte"
- Etymology: The word „Bitte“ derives from the Old High German verb „bittan“, which meant 'to ask, demand, pray'. The connection to prayer highlights its original earnest character.
- Cultural Significance: How requests (Bitten) are phrased varies greatly across cultures and social contexts. In German, the subjunctive mood (Konjunktiv II, e.g., „Könnten Sie...?“, „Würden Sie...?“) is often used for particularly polite requests.
- Compounds: There are some compound words like Bittsteller (petitioner, supplicant - someone making a request, often with slightly negative connotations), Bittgesuch (formal petition or request), Fürbitte (intercession - a request made for someone else, often in a religious context).
Summary: is it der, die or das Bitte?
The German noun Bitte, meaning a request or plea, is feminine: die Bitte (plural: die Bitten). It's important to distinguish this from the common adverb/particle bitte (please / you're welcome).