A Translation and Culture Question?

Question

I want to give my German neighbors a card that says, "Thanks for everything you've done." Can you help me say that? I thought Danke fur Alles, but it doesn't sound right.

And... I want to take them some cupcakes. Is this a cultural faux pas?

Thanks for your help!!

Answer 1

The translation above is fine, but if you want to make it a bit more "real", write "Danke für alles, was Sie für mich getan haben" or "Danke für alles, was ihr für mich getan habt". That's "Thanks for everything you've done for me", which is the way we say it.

As for the cupcakes: Excellent idea, no faux pas whatsoever, quite to the contrary.

Answer 2

Instead of just "Danke für Alles" (which is also correct but not best style) I'd recommend using "Vielen Dank" or even "Herzlichen Dank", depending on how good you know them.

Vielen / Herzlichen Dank für alles, was Sie / Ihr für mich / uns (= me / us) getan haben / habt.

Another possibility

Vielen / Herzlichen Dank für Ihre / Eure Hilfe (= help).

"Sie" and "Ihre" is more formal use, to a close friend you'd say "Ihr" and "Eure". - Home-made cupcakes aren't a faux pas!

Answer 3

Hey, I am from Germany: The translation says:

Danke für alles, was ihr getan habt.

But you can say too:

Vielen Dank für alles, ...

What means cultural faux pas? I can't understand it.

Answer 4

From my experience and the answers you are getting from Germans, no matter what you write IN German it will be wrong. Trust me I have, 'Been there, Done That' so before I start a cultural debate here I will tell you what I have done.

Get a nice German Card that says 'Danke' or 'Vielen Dank' on the outside, most cards like this are blank on the inside; There you can write 'Dear Family XXXX, Thanks for everything you have done!' Regards, Your Name

You may wish to add a few stickers to decorate the indside of the card. Your German neighbors will understand this bit of English and if you give then cupcakes they will be very happy(I used to bake pumpkin pies for my neighbors).  They will be impressed that you made the effort to buy the German card and that you baked cup cakes for them.

Answer 5

"Danke für alles, was Sie für mich getan haben" or

"Danke für alles, was ihr für mich getan habt".

Cupcakes are a good idea. We love American cupcakes!!!

Answer 6

hi!

the translation would be: Danke für Alles, was Sie getan haben!

or if you're more familiar with your neighbors you can also say: Danke für Alles, was ihr getan habt!

with the cupcakes i can just talk for myself...but i love them! ;-)

Answer 7

Well I like Ken Guru's answer best.  Herzlichen Dank or Herzlichsten Dank für alles was Sie für mich getan haben.  Or Herzlichsten Dank für Ihre Hilfe, etc.  Cupcakes or anything else American will do great.  They appreciate the German, and but if you write it in English, they will understand as well.