German Ways to Say You're Welcome, Likewise, and You Too (Complete Guide)

Someone wishes you a nice day. Someone thanks you for holding the door. Someone says "Guten Appetit" before a meal. What do you say back?

In English, you might say "You too!", "Likewise!", or "You're welcome!" - but German has many different expressions depending on the situation.

This guide covers all the ways to respond politely in German - from casual "You too!" to formal replies and everything in between.

Saying "You Too!" in German

When someone wishes you something nice, you want to wish it back. German has different forms depending on who you're talking to:

Dir auch! (Informal singular)

Use with one person you know well (friends, family, colleagues you're close with).

"Schoenes Wochenende!" - "Dir auch!" (Have a nice weekend! - You too!)
"Viel Spass!" - "Dir auch!" (Have fun! - You too!)
"Gute Nacht!" - "Dir auch!" (Good night! - You too!)
"Alles Gute zum Geburtstag!" - "Danke, dir auch bald!" (Happy birthday! - Thanks, same to you soon!)

Euch auch! (Informal plural)

Use when responding to a group of people you know well.

"Wir wuenschen euch frohe Weihnachten!" - "Euch auch!" (We wish you Merry Christmas! - You too!)
"Schoenen Urlaub!" - "Danke, euch auch!" (Have a nice vacation! - Thanks, you too!)
"Viel Erfolg bei der Pruefung!" - "Euch auch!" (Good luck on the exam! - You too!)

Ihnen auch! (Formal)

Use with strangers, in professional settings, or with people you address formally.

"Einen schoenen Tag noch!" - "Danke, Ihnen auch!" (Have a nice day! - Thank you, you too!)
"Frohe Ostern!" - "Ihnen auch!" (Happy Easter! - You too!)
"Guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr!" - "Danke, Ihnen auch!" (Happy New Year! - Thanks, you too!)
"Schoenes Wochenende!" - "Ihnen auch, auf Wiedersehen!" (Nice weekend! - You too, goodbye!)

Saying "Likewise" in German

These expressions work in both formal and informal situations and sound polite and natural:

Ebenfalls!

The most common way to say "likewise" or "same to you." Works everywhere.

"Guten Appetit!" - "Ebenfalls!" (Enjoy your meal! - Likewise!)
"Freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen!" - "Ebenfalls!" (Nice to meet you! - Likewise!)
"Schoenen Feierabend!" - "Danke, ebenfalls!" (Have a nice evening after work! - Thanks, likewise!)
"Gute Besserung!" - "Danke, ebenfalls, falls du auch krank wirst!" (Get well soon! - Thanks, likewise if you get sick too!)

Ebenso!

Slightly more formal/proper than "ebenfalls," but means the same thing.

"Es war schoen, mit Ihnen zu sprechen." - "Ebenso!" (It was nice talking to you. - Likewise!)
"Ich wuensche Ihnen ein frohes Fest!" - "Danke, ebenso!" (I wish you a happy holiday! - Thanks, likewise!)
"Angenehme Reise!" - "Ebenso!" (Have a pleasant trip! - Likewise!)

Gleichfalls!

Another way to say "likewise" - very common and friendly.

"Guten Appetit!" - "Gleichfalls!" (Enjoy your meal! - Same to you!)
"Frohes neues Jahr!" - "Gleichfalls!" (Happy New Year! - Same to you!)
"Viel Glueck!" - "Danke, gleichfalls!" (Good luck! - Thanks, same to you!)

Saying "You're Welcome" in German

When someone thanks you, here's how to respond:

Bitte! / Bitte schoen! / Bitte sehr!

The standard "you're welcome" - works in all situations.

"Danke fuer deine Hilfe!" - "Bitte!" (Thanks for your help! - You're welcome!)
"Vielen Dank!" - "Bitte schoen!" (Thank you very much! - You're very welcome!)
"Danke fuer das Geschenk!" - "Bitte sehr!" (Thanks for the gift! - You're welcome!)

Gern geschehen! / Gerne!

Means "gladly done" or "my pleasure" - warm and friendly.

"Danke, dass du mir geholfen hast!" - "Gern geschehen!" (Thanks for helping me! - My pleasure!)
"Danke fuers Mitnehmen!" - "Gerne!" (Thanks for the ride! - No problem! / Gladly!)
"Vielen Dank fuer Ihre Zeit!" - "Sehr gerne!" (Thank you for your time! - My pleasure!)

Kein Problem! / Keine Ursache!

"No problem" - casual and common.

"Sorry, dass ich zu spaet bin. Danke fuers Warten!" - "Kein Problem!" (Sorry I'm late. Thanks for waiting! - No problem!)
"Danke fuer die Info!" - "Keine Ursache!" (Thanks for the info! - Don't mention it!)

Nichts zu danken!

Literally "nothing to thank for" - humble and polite.

"Das war so nett von dir!" - "Ach, nichts zu danken!" (That was so nice of you! - Oh, don't mention it!)
"Vielen herzlichen Dank!" - "Nichts zu danken, das mache ich gern!" (Many heartfelt thanks! - Don't mention it, I'm happy to do it!)

Dafuer nicht! (Northern Germany)

Very common in northern Germany - casual and friendly.

"Danke!" - "Dafuer nicht!" (Thanks! - No need to thank me!)

Quick Reference Table

Situation	German Response	English
Someone wishes you well (informal, one person)	Dir auch!	You too!
Someone wishes you well (informal, group)	Euch auch!	You too!
Someone wishes you well (formal)	Ihnen auch!	You too!
Any well-wish (universal)	Ebenfalls! / Gleichfalls!	Likewise!
Nice to meet you	Ebenfalls! / Freut mich auch!	Likewise! / Nice to meet you too!
Someone thanks you	Bitte! / Gerne!	You're welcome!
Someone thanks you (casual)	Kein Problem!	No problem!
Enjoy your meal	Danke, ebenfalls/gleichfalls!	Thanks, you too!

Common Situations with Full Dialogues

At a Restaurant:

Kellner: "Guten Appetit!"

You: "Danke, gleichfalls!" (if the waiter is also eating) OR "Danke!" (if just you are eating)

At Work (Friday afternoon):

Colleague: "Schoenes Wochenende!"

You: "Danke, dir auch! Bis Montag!"

Meeting Someone New:

Person: "Freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen!"

You: "Ganz meinerseits!" OR "Ebenfalls!" OR "Freut mich auch!"

At a Shop (leaving):

Cashier: "Schoenen Tag noch!"

You: "Danke, Ihnen auch!"

New Year's Eve:

Friend: "Guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr!"

You: "Danke, dir auch! Feier schoen!"

Pro Tips

When in doubt, use "Ebenfalls!" - It works in almost every situation and sounds polite.
Add "Danke" before your response - "Danke, dir auch!" sounds warmer than just "Dir auch!"
Match the formality - If someone uses "Sie," respond with "Ihnen auch!" not "Dir auch!"
"Gerne" is super versatile - You can use it almost anytime someone thanks you.

These small phrases make a big difference in sounding natural and polite in German. Practice them until they become automatic!