German Phrase
Hast du eine Dankeskarte geschickt?
Meaning
The sentence asks whether the listener has sent a thank‑you card. It is used to confirm a courteous gesture after an event where gratitude is expected, such as a birthday, wedding, or a business meeting.
When to use
Use this question after you know someone had a reason to thank another person – for example, after a gift, a visit, or a favor – and you want to check if they have already sent a thank‑you card.
✦Grammar Breakdown
HastdueineDankeskartegeschickt?
Hast (haben)
Auxiliary verb 'haben' in present 2nd person singular, used to form the present perfect tense.
du
Personal pronoun, second person singular, placed after the finite verb in a yes‑no question.
eine (indefinite article)
Indefinite article in the accusative feminine; matches the noun 'Dankeskarte'.
Dankeskarte
Feminine noun, accusative case, meaning 'thank‑you card'.
geschickt (Partizip II)
Past participle of 'schicken' (to send); placed at the end of the clause in perfect constructions.
Word order in yes‑no questions
Finite verb first, then subject, then object, and finally the past participle.
🗨In Conversation
Hast du eine Dankeskarte geschickt?
Did you send a thank‑you card?
Ja, ich habe sie gestern per Post verschickt.
Yes, I mailed it yesterday.
✕Common Mistakes
Hast du ein Dankeskarte geschickt?
The noun 'Dankeskarte' is feminine, so the accusative article must be 'eine', not the neuter 'ein'.
Hast du eine Dankeskarte schickte?
In spoken German the perfect tense is preferred; 'schickte' (simple past) sounds formal or literary.
Hast du eine Dankeskarte gesendet?
'Gesendet' is a correct verb but changes the nuance; it sounds more like an electronic message than a physical card.
Du hast eine Dankeskarte geschickt?
In a yes‑no question the finite verb must precede the subject; 'Du hast...' is a statement, not a question.
↔Alternatives
Hast du eine Karte zum Dank geschickt?
Did you send a card of thanks?
Hast du eine Dankesnachricht gesendet?
Did you send a thank‑you message?
Hast du eine Dankeskarte verschickt?
Did you dispatch a thank‑you card?
Cultural Tip
In German‑speaking countries, sending a handwritten Dankeskarte after birthdays, weddings, or business meetings is considered polite and shows genuine appreciation. The tone can be formal (e.g., 'Sehr geehrte Frau Müller') or informal depending on your relationship with the recipient. Hand‑written cards are still preferred over e‑mails for personal occasions.