Willkommen vs gern geschehen
Hey there! I'm pretty new to German and I just ran over this roadblock. I just can't understand the difference and when to use these phrases. Is there anyone who can explain them properly?
8 Comments
In English, you would say "you're welcome" in both cases, but the meaning is totally different.
"Willkommen" means you welcome somebody into your house, social group etc.
"Gern geschehen" is just what you reply to somebody thanking you, it means "my pleasure"
This is covered in the grammar notes here: https://www.duolingo.com/skill/de/Common-Phrases
Es tut mir leid, friend. But I'm using duolingo app and there's nothing related to notes. I have also done the lesson again on this site but I have found no notes there too. Could you please explain the notes here?
I've copied and pasted this from the grammar notes:
Willkommen can be a false friend In German, Willkommen means welcome as in "Welcome to our home", but it does not mean welcome as in "Thank you - You're welcome". The German for the latter is Gern geschehen (or just Gern!) or Keine Ursache.
Which is one of the reasons I prefer the web version. Also, I really like the stories.
- Willkommen = Welcome to ___
- Herzlich Willkommen = Whole hearted welcome to ___
- Gern geschehen= Formal way to say you're welcome
- Bitte= lets formal and more common way of you're welcome
- Kein Problem= (no problem) Very informal way of you're welcome
*Hope this helps :)
