1. to thank ("sich+Acc bedanken" - Always reflexive. And yes... it doesn't make sense if you think about it, because you "thank yourself".)
Word Family
Root: *tong-
The core idea of this root was:
thinking, feeling
So basically, it was about what is going on inside you.
It’s the origin of to think and to thank, which originally probably meant something like “thinking of someone with gratitude”.
There is one person at a bäckerei i go to to get coffee sometimes who just says “ich danke”. She’s the only person i have heard saying this.
I only use (and know) this as a reply. Like… one person says thanks and you reply by “ICH danke!”
So as to stress that you’re the one who is more grateful.
Sounds a bit stiff and old school.
ah interesting. makes sense.