How to Say Sorry in German
How do you say sorry in German? Say 'Entschuldigung' (ent-SHOOL-dee-goong) or the casual 'Sorry / Tut mir leid.' Learn apologies, excuse-me forms and pronunciation.
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Quick answer
To say sorry in German, say 'Entschuldigung' (ent-SHOOL-dee-goong) — it works as both 'sorry' and 'excuse me.' For a heartfelt apology, say 'Es tut mir leid' (es toot meer lyte), 'I'm sorry.' Casually, Germans also just say 'Sorry' or 'Tschuldigung.'
Entschuldigung
/ent-SHOOL-dee-goong/ — German
How to Say Sorry in German
German handles “sorry” with one flexible word, Entschuldigung, which doubles as “excuse me” — and a separate, more heartfelt phrase, Es tut mir leid, for genuine apologies. Knowing which to use makes you sound considerate. Pair it with how to say thank you in German and how to say please in German for polite everyday German.
The Essential Word: Entschuldigung
Entschuldigung — pronounced ent-SHOOL-dee-goong — is your all-purpose “sorry / excuse me.”
Use it to:
- Apologize for a small mistake or bump
- Get someone’s attention (“excuse me…”)
- Politely ask to pass by
It literally means an “un-guilting” — from Schuld (guilt) — so you’re asking to be excused of fault.
Copy the Phrase
The German word for sorry is Entschuldigung (ent-SHOOL-dee-goong); for a real apology, say Es tut mir leid (es toot meer lyte).
All the Ways to Say Sorry in German
| German | Pronunciation | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Entschuldigung | ent-SHOOL-dee-goong | Universal “sorry / excuse me” |
| Tschuldigung | CHOOL-dee-goong | Casual shortened form |
| Sorry | SO-ree | Very casual, borrowed from English |
| Es tut mir leid | es toot meer lyte | Sincere “I’m sorry” |
| Es tut mir so leid | …zo lyte | Emphatic “I’m so sorry” |
| Entschuldigen Sie | ent-SHOOL-dee-gen zee | Formal “excuse me” |
| Entschuldige | ent-SHOOL-dee-geh | Informal verb form (to one friend) |
| Verzeihung | fair-TSY-oong | Formal/old-fashioned “pardon” |
| Verzeih mir | fair-TSY meer | ”Forgive me” (heartfelt) |
| Mein Fehler | mine FAY-ler | ”My mistake / my bad” |
Entschuldigung vs. Es tut mir leid
These two cover different situations:
- Entschuldigung = “excuse me” / “sorry” for minor things: bumping someone, getting attention, a small slip. It’s the everyday workhorse.
- Es tut mir leid = a genuine apology — literally “it does me sorrow.” Use it when you actually regret something: hurting someone’s feelings, being late, breaking something. It carries real emotional weight.
Saying Es tut mir leid for stepping on a toe sounds overly dramatic; saying Entschuldigung after a serious offense sounds too light. Match the phrase to the seriousness.
Formal vs. Informal
German distinguishes register through the verb form:
- Formal (to someone you address as Sie): Entschuldigen Sie (excuse me) — and the noun Entschuldigung is itself neutral and safe everywhere.
- Informal (to a friend, du): Entschuldige or the casual Tschuldigung.
- Very casual: the English Sorry, common among younger Germans.
The noun Entschuldigung works in every register, so it’s the safest single word to remember.
Pronunciation Tips
- Entschuldigung: the “sch” is one “sh” sound; stress the SHOOL syllable. The ending “-igung” is “ee-goong” with a soft final ‘g.’
- Es tut mir leid: “leid” is “lyte,” rhyming with “kite” (the ‘ei’ = long ‘i,’ and ‘d’ devoices to a ‘t’).
- Verzeihung: “fair-TSY-oong” — the ‘z’ is a “ts” sound, and “eih” gives a long ‘i.‘
Cultural Notes
Germans use Entschuldigung freely and politely in daily life — bumping into someone, squeezing past on a train, or flagging a waiter. It’s not over-the-top; it’s expected courtesy. For real apologies, Es tut mir leid is sincere and appropriate, and adding wirklich (“Es tut mir wirklich leid” — I’m really sorry) deepens it. While Germans may apologize less reflexively than English speakers, a clear, well-chosen apology is always valued.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say sorry in German?
The most common word is 'Entschuldigung' (ent-SHOOL-dee-goong), which means both 'sorry' and 'excuse me.' For a sincere apology say 'Es tut mir leid' (es toot meer lyte, 'I'm sorry'). Casually, Germans also say 'Tschuldigung' (a short form) or even the English 'Sorry.'
How do you pronounce Entschuldigung?
It's pronounced 'ent-SHOOL-dee-goong.' Break it down: 'ent' + 'SHOOL' (stress here, with 'sch' = 'sh') + 'dee' + 'goong.' The final 'g' is soft. The shortened casual form is 'Tschuldigung' (CHOOL-dee-goong).
What is the difference between Entschuldigung and Es tut mir leid?
'Entschuldigung' is multipurpose — it means 'excuse me' (to get attention or pass by) and 'sorry' (for a minor bump). 'Es tut mir leid' literally means 'it does me sorrow' and is a genuine, heartfelt apology for something you actually regret. Use 'Entschuldigung' for small things, 'Es tut mir leid' for real apologies.
What does Entschuldigung literally mean?
'Entschuldigung' literally means 'a removing of guilt' or 'excusing' — from 'Schuld' (guilt/debt) with the prefix 'ent-' (un-/de-). So you're literally asking to have your guilt taken away. The verb form is 'entschuldigen' (to excuse).
How do you say excuse me in German to get past someone?
Say 'Entschuldigung' or 'Entschuldigen Sie' (formal, ent-SHOOL-dee-gen zee) to get attention or pass by. To say 'excuse me, may I get through?' you can add 'darf ich mal durch?' Casually, 'Tschuldigung' works too.