German · Real conversations
Decline an offer naturally in German
A polite refusal can be brief. Thank the person, answer clearly, and add a reason only when it is useful and true.
Three ways to say it
Nein, danke. Ich brauche nichts.
No, thanks. I'm fine.
Decline a simple offer without adding an explanation.
Danke, aber ich habe schon gegessen.
Thanks, but I've already eaten.
Give a real reason for declining food.
Das ist nett von dir, aber ich komme zurecht.
That's kind of you, but I can manage.
Acknowledge an offer of assistance while explaining that you can manage.
Avoid translating word by word
English 'I'm fine' may politely mean 'I don't need anything' in response to an offer. A literal statement about your health might leave the offer unanswered, so keep the refusal and thanks clear.
See the difference in context
Being offered another drink
Möchtest du noch etwas trinken?
Would you like another drink?
Nein, danke. Ich brauche nichts.
No, thanks. I'm fine.
Being offered food after eating
Möchtest du etwas essen?
Would you like something to eat?
Danke, aber ich habe schon gegessen.
Thanks, but I've already eaten.
Your turn
Decline an offer of help. Thank the person and say that you can manage the task.
Reveal a sample reply
Das ist nett von dir, aber ich komme zurecht.
That's kind of you, but I can manage.
This speaking goal in other languages
A note on speaking German
Use Sie for formal address and du with people you address informally. Könnten Sie …? is a useful polite request. Keep noun capitals and the verb position shown in each complete sentence.
The examples preserve German accents and ß. Read a full sentence before replacing a detail: a subordinate clause can move the verb to the end, and case can change an article or pronoun.
