In German, two common verbs translate to “to ask,” but they have different meanings and uses:
- fragen = to ask a question.
- bitten = to make a polite request or ask someone for something.
Usage Rules
- Use fragen when you want to obtain information by asking a question.
- Use bitten when you are politely asking someone to do something or give you something.
- bitten is often followed by the accusative form of the person being asked (e.g., jemanden bitten*).
- bitten can also be followed by an infinitive clause with um (e.g., um etwas bitten*).
Personal Pronouns (Accusative)
- mich (me)
- dich (you, singular informal)
- ihn (him)
- sie (her)
- uns (us)
- euch (you, plural informal)
- Sie (you, formal)
What is the correct German accusative pronoun for ‘me’?
mich
'mich’ is the accusative pronoun for ‘me’. ‘mir’ is dative, and ‘ich’ is nominative.
What is the correct German accusative pronoun for ‘him’?
ihn
'ihn’ is the accusative pronoun for ‘him’. ‘sie’ means ‘her’ or ‘them’, ‘es’ is neuter, and ‘ihr’ is dative.
Examples
Fragen: to ask a question
Use fragen when you want to get information.
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Ich frage den Lehrer. | I ask the teacher. |
| Kann ich dich etwas fragen? | Can I ask you something? |
| Sie fragt, wie spät es ist. | She asks what time it is. |
Bitten: to make a polite request
Use bitten when you are politely asking for something or asking someone to do something.
Bitten + Akkusativ (person) + um + Akkusativ (thing)
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Ich bitte dich um Hilfe. | I ask you for help. |
| Wir bitten Sie um Geduld. | We ask you (formal) for patience. |
| Er bittet mich um einen Stift. | He asks me for a pen. |
Bitten + Akkusativ (person) + Infinitiv (to do something)
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Ich bitte dich, mir zu helfen. | I ask you to help me. |
| Kann ich Sie bitten, einen Moment zu warten? | May I ask you to wait a moment? |
| Sie bittet ihn, das Fenster zu öffnen. | She asks him to open the window. |
Summary Table
| Meaning | Verb | Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ask a question | fragen | Ich frage dich. | I ask you. |
| Request something | bitten um + Akk. | Ich bitte dich um Hilfe. | I ask you for help. |
| Request someone to do something | bitten + Akk. + Inf. | Ich bitte dich, zu helfen. | I ask you to help. |
Practice Sentences
Choose fragen or bitten to complete each sentence.
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Ich _ den Kellner nach der Rechnung. | I ask the waiter for the bill. |
| Kann ich dich _, mir das Buch zu geben? | Can I ask you to give me the book? |
| Wir _ unseren Lehrer um eine Verlängerung. | We ask our teacher for an extension. |
| Sie _ ihn, ihr zu helfen. | She asks him to help her. |
Answers
- Ich frage den Kellner nach der Rechnung.
- Kann ich dich bitten, mir das Buch zu geben?
- Wir bitten unseren Lehrer um eine Verlängerung.
- Sie bittet ihn, ihr zu helfen.
Summary
- fragen* = ask a question (about information)
- bitten* = make a polite request (ask for something or for someone to do something)
- bitten uses the pattern: bitten + Akk. (person) + um + Akk. (thing) or bitten + Akk. + Infinitiv*
- Choose based on whether you want to get information (fragen) or politely request something (bitten).
Flashcards (1 of 16)
- English: I ask the teacher.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
