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How to Say ‘No thanks, that's fine.’ in German

Nein danke, das passt schon.

NINE DAHN-kuh dahs pahst shohn

[NINE DAHN-kuh dahs pahst shohn]

🇩🇪 In Germany: A friendly, everyday way to turn down an offer without fuss. It is common in southern Germany and widely understood everywhere.

Phrase Breakdown

Nein danke,

NINE DAHN-kuh

No thanks,

A polite refusal. 'Nein' rhymes with 'fine', and 'danke' is stressed on 'DAN'.

Example

Nein danke, ich bin satt.

No thanks, I'm full.

Words in this phrase

Nein

[NINE]

A negative response, typically used to refuse or deny something.

Example

Nein, ich möchte keinen Zucker.

No, I don't want any sugar.

danke

[DAHN-kuh]

thanks

A common way to express gratitude.

Example

Danke für das nette Gespräch gestern.

Thanks for the nice conversation yesterday.

das passt schon.

dahs pahst shohn

that's fine.

This tells the other person that everything is okay. Say it smoothly, without pausing between the words.

Example

Danke, das passt schon.

Thanks, that's fine.

Words in this phrase

das

[dahs]

that / it

Can refer to a thing, item, or dish in front of you.

Example

Was ist das? Das Wort das can mean that or it.

What is that? The word das can mean that or it.

passt

[pahst]

fits / works

Used to say that a time or arrangement is suitable or convenient.

Example

Der Termin passt mir gut.

The appointment suits me well.

schon

[shohn]

fine / all right (reassuring)

Particle softening a statement, meaning it's okay.

Example

Keine Sorge, das klappt schon.

Don't worry, it'll work out.

Guides for German learners

Duolingo vs Pimsleur: Tapping on a Screen or Talking Out Loud?Duolingo vs Pimsleur: five minutes of tapping versus thirty minutes of speaking. What each is good at, what each costs, and which to pick for your goal.

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