Erbitten

Erbitten is a German verb meaning to request something formally or to solicit a favor, especially in written or ceremonial language. It carries a sense of politeness and formality and is not commonly used in casual speech. The word is formed from bitten (to ask) with the prefix er-, a productive pattern in German that can add nuance such as completion or emphasis.

Usage is most typical in official letters, petitions, religious services, and historical or bureaucratic texts. It is commonly followed by a direct object such as eine Zustimmung (an approval) or eine Geduld (patience), though the object can vary. Example: Ich erbitte Ihre Zustimmung. In English translations, erbitten is usually rendered as to request or to solicit, often in especially formal contexts.

Etymology notes: the prefix er- is used with several verbs to form iterations that convey obtaining a result or performing an action with emphasis. With bitten, erbitten thus expresses obtaining a favor or permission through a formal request.

See also: bitten, erbeten (past participle). In modern German, erbitten remains relatively niche and tends to appear in formal, ceremonial, or historical passages rather than everyday conversation. It is most often encountered in translated texts or in quotations that preserve a formal register.