bitte

Kuckucksuhr – Fri, 04 Dec 2009 21:37:34 -0600

May the word "bitte" be used at the start and /or at the conclusion of a sentence? i.e. In engish we might say: Please pass the butter or we might say: Pass the butter please. Danke

Paul Weber – Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:44:52 -0600

Hi there,

You have a few options when it comes to "bitte" depending on how much emphasis you want to place on "bitte.
It is generally not used at the start of a sentence, unless you are slightly desperate or are using a command. It's usually used in the middle of the sentence.

Here are some examples:

Bitte helfen sie mir! - Please help me!
Bitte hör auf! - Please stop.

Geben Sie mir bitte die Butter? - Please pass me the butter?
Können Sie mir bitte die Butter geben? - Could you please pass me the butter?

I hope that helps.

Paul

walleyenorth – Wed, 03 Feb 2010 03:27:16 -0600

Paul,
A follow on question. Most likely I would be asking for the butter from a family member or friend, would you simple replace Sie (formal) with du (informal) and change Geben to Gebst (not sure that is even a form of geben) or Konnen to konnst? Thanks.

Paul Weber – Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:41:44 -0600

Hi there,

you would simply say:

Gibst du mir bitte die Butter -or Please give me the butter
Kannst du mir bitte die Butter geben - Could you please give me the butter

Paul

walleyenorth – Wed, 03 Feb 2010 23:37:08 -0600

Dankeschon!

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