bedank

Bedank is a Dutch verb meaning to express gratitude toward someone. It is used transitively, typically with the person being thanked and often followed by for or voor iets. For example, ik bedank je voor je hulp means I thank you for your help, and ik wil hem bedanken voor het cadeau means I would like to thank him for the gift.

Conjugation and forms are standard for Dutch strong enough verbs formed with a prefix. The present tense forms include ik bedank, jij bedankt, hij/zij bedankt, wij bedanken, jullie bedanken, zij bedanken. The past tense uses bedankte (singular) and bedankten (plural). The past participle is bedankt, used in perfect tenses such as ik heb hem bedankt.

Bedanken can also stand in phrases with a specific object and cause, such as iemand bedanken voor iets (to thank someone for something). The common exclamation used to express gratitude simply is Bedankt! or Dank je wel / Dank u wel, with the formal Dank u wel and the informal Dank je wel.

Etymology and related terms: bedank is formed from the prefix be- added to dank, a root meaning gratitude or thanks. It is related to the noun dank and to related verbs in Dutch that employ the be- prefix to create a transitive action. In other Dutch varieties and related languages, cognates appear in similar forms (for example Afrikaans bedank, Dutch bedankt).

See also: dank, bedanking, bedankje, bedanken, dank uw wel.

In Dutch-speaking culture, expressing thanks is common etiquette, with standard forms ranging from Bedankt for informal situations to Dank u wel in formal settings. The converse expression, graag gedaan, is used to respond to thanks.