German Steps - Asking for directions - Grammar note


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Using 'bitte'

You'll hear and see the word bitte a lot in German. It can have several meanings, depending on the situation, but it's always polite.

Bitte can mean please




Können Sie mir helfen, bitte? Can you help me, please?
Ein Bier, bitte. A beer, please.

Bitte sehr is used when handing something over.




Bitte sehr, Ihr Bier. Here you are, your beer.

Bitte schön is used in reply to Danke




Danke Thank you.
Bitte schön You're welcome.




Wie bitte? or simply Bitte? is also very useful. It's the equivalent of Pardon? and you can use it to ask for repetition or whenever you don't understand something.