bedankung

Bedankung is a German noun that denotes the act of expressing thanks or gratitude. The term is formed from the verb danken (to thank) with the suffix -ung, creating a formal or literary noun. It refers to the gesture or act of giving thanks, rather than the feeling of gratitude itself, which is typically expressed by Dankbarkeit.

Usage and variations

Bedankung is commonly used in phrases such as eine Bedankung aussprechen, eine Bedankung richten, or eine Bedankung entgegennehmen. It can also appear in written form as a Bedankungsschreiben or in event programs and formal communications to acknowledge assistance, gifts, or support. In everyday language, bedankung is relatively rare compared with Dank or Dankbarkeit; it tends to appear in more formal, ceremonial, or literary contexts.

Contexts and relationship to related terms

In religious or ceremonial contexts, the concept closest to bedankung is Danksagung, which is often used for formal thanksgiving services or prayers. Dankbarkeit refers to the broader feeling of gratitude rather than the act of thanking. Other related phrases include sich bedanken (to thank someone) and Dank (thanks, gratitude). Bedankung can thus function as the noun for the specific act of expressing thanks within a formal or written frame.

Examples

Ich möchte Ihnen meine Bedankung aussprechen. Die Organisation richtet eine Bedankung an alle Helfer. In leitenden Anlässen kann eine kurze Bedankung am Schluss der Rede erscheinen.

See also

Dankbarkeit, Danksagung, sich bedanken.