In this blog, you’ll learn seven different ways to say “excuse me” in German, so you can be a polite bilingual and impress native speakers. Check it out!
Ways of saying “excuse me in German
If you’re learning German, you may already know that “excuse me” is “Entschuldigung” in German. However, there are several other ways to say “excuse me” in German, depending on the situation and level of formality. Here are seven ways to say “excuse me” in German and be a polite bilingual.
Entschuldigung
Let’s start with the most common way to say “excuse me” in German: “Entschuldigung”. This phrase is used in a wide range of situations, such as when you accidentally bump into someone on the street, need to get someone’s attention or make a mistake. It’s a polite and formal way to apologize or ask for forgiveness.
For example, if you accidentally step on someone’s foot on the U-Bahn (underground train), you can say, “Entschuldigung, es tut mir leid” (Excuse me, I’m sorry). Or, if you need to interrupt someone, you can say, “Entschuldigung, darf ich kurz stören?” (Excuse me, may I interrupt for a moment?)
Verzeihung
Another common way to say “excuse me” in German is “Verzeihung”. This phrase is also used in a variety of situations, but it’s slightly less formal than “Entschuldigung”.
“Verzeihung” is often used when you want to apologize for a minor inconvenience or disturbance.
For instance, if you accidentally bump into someone in a crowded street, you can say, “Verzeihung, es war nicht meine Absicht” (Excuse me, it was not my intention). Or, if you need to ask someone to move aside, you can say, “Verzeihung, könnten Sie bitte Platz machen?” (Excuse me, could you please make some room?)
Entschuldigen Sie
If you want to be more formal when saying “excuse me” in German, use “Entschuldigen Sie”. This phrase is similar to “Entschuldigung”, but it’s more polite and respectful. It’s often used when you’re speaking to someone you don’t know well or someone older than you.
For example, if you accidentally spill coffee on someone’s shirt, you can say, “Entschuldigen Sie bitte, ich habe aus Versehen Kaffee verschüttet” (Excuse me, I accidentally spilled coffee). Or, if you need to interrupt a speaker during a conference, you can say, “Entschuldigen Sie bitte, darf ich eine Frage stellen?” (Excuse me, may I ask a question?)
Verzeihen Sie bitter
Similar to “Entschuldigen Sie”, “Verzeihen Sie bitte” is a more formal way to say “excuse me” in German. This phrase is used when you want to apologize for a serious mistake or show a lot of respect to the person you’re speaking to.
For instance, if you accidentally damage someone’s car, you can say, “Verzeihen Sie bitte, ich habe einen großen Fehler gemacht” (Excuse me, I made a big mistake). Or, if you need to interrupt an important meeting, you can say, “Verzeihen Sie bitte, aber ich habe dringende Informationen” (Excuse me, but I have urgent information).
Tschuldigung
If you want to use a more casual way to say “excuse me” in German, you can use “Tsch
uldigung”. This phrase is a shortened and more informal version of “Entschuldigung”. It’s commonly used among friends and peers, but it may not be appropriate in formal or professional settings.
For example, if you accidentally interrupt your friend while they’re speaking, you can say, “Tschuldigung, ich wollte dich nicht unterbrechen” (Excuse me, I didn’t mean to interrupt you). Or, if you need to ask a stranger for directions, you can say, “Tschuldigung, wissen Sie vielleicht, wo die nächste U-Bahn-Station ist?” (Excuse me, do you know where the nearest underground station is?)
Verzeih
Another casual way to say “excuse me” in German is “Verzeih”. This phrase is even more informal than “Tschuldigung”, and it’s typically used among close friends or family members.
It’s often used to express regret or ask for forgiveness for a minor mistake.
For instance, if you accidentally step on your friend’s toe, you can say, “Verzeih, das war nicht meine Absicht” (Excuse me, that wasn’t my intention). Or, if you need to apologize for being late to a casual gathering, you can say, “Verzeih, ich hatte einen Stau auf dem Weg hierher” (Excuse me, I was stuck in traffic on the way here).
Entschuldige
Another informal way to say “pardon me” in German is “Entschuldige.” Although it sounds similar to “Tschuldigung,” this word is significantly more casual and is frequently used by young people or in unofficial contexts.
Say “Entschuldige, das was meine Schuld,” for instance, if you unintentionally bump into someone at a party (Excuse me, that was my fault). Alternatively, you can text your friend and say, “Sorry, but I have something essential to tell you,” if you need to interrupt them (Excuse me, but I need to tell you something important).
Learn more German words
In conclusion, there are several ways to say “excuse me” in German, depending on the situation and level of formality. “Entschuldigung” and “Verzeihung” are the most formal ways to apologize or ask for forgiveness, while “Tschuldigung”, “Verzeih”, and “Entschuldige” are more casual and often used among friends or peers.
Whatever phrase you choose to use, remember to use it appropriately and respectfully to show your proficiency in the German language and be a polite bilingual.
