Bedeutung
A polite way to get attention or apologize to someone formally.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Paris, 'Excusez-moi' is often used as a shield. If you don't say it before asking something, people may ignore you or be curt. It's the 'password' to social interaction. Quebecers are often perceived as more 'casual' than the French, but 'Excusez-moi' remains the standard for formal interactions. You might also hear 'Pardonnez-moi' more frequently in formal media. Swiss French speakers value politeness highly. 'Excusez-moi' is often followed by 'S'il vous plaît' even if a question hasn't been asked yet, just to be extra polite. In Francophone Africa, 'Excusez-moi' is used with great respect for elders. It is often accompanied by a slight nod of the head.
The 'Bonjour' Rule
Always say 'Bonjour' before 'Excusez-moi' when talking to a stranger. It makes a huge difference in how you are treated.
Avoid 'Tu' with Strangers
Never say 'Excuse-moi' to a waiter or a shopkeeper. It can be seen as very condescending.
Bedeutung
A polite way to get attention or apologize to someone formally.
The 'Bonjour' Rule
Always say 'Bonjour' before 'Excusez-moi' when talking to a stranger. It makes a huge difference in how you are treated.
Avoid 'Tu' with Strangers
Never say 'Excuse-moi' to a waiter or a shopkeeper. It can be seen as very condescending.
The Sarcastic Tone
If someone is being rude, a very slow and loud 'Ex-cu-sez-moi !' is a classic French way to stand your ground.
Body Language
A small nod or a slight raise of the hand often accompanies 'Excusez-moi' when getting a waiter's attention.
Teste dich selbst
You are in a shop and want to ask the price of a bag. What do you say?
_______, quel est le prix du sac ?
You are talking to a stranger in a professional setting, so the formal 'vous' form is required.
Complete the sentence to apologize for interrupting someone.
Excusez-moi de vous _______.
After 'de', you must use the infinitive form of the verb.
Match the phrase to the situation.
1. Excusez-moi | 2. Je suis désolé | 3. Excuse-moi
'Excusez-moi' is formal, 'Désolé' is for serious apologies, and 'Excuse-moi' is informal.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
Learner: Bonjour, _______. Est-ce que vous avez l'heure ? Stranger: Oui, il est midi.
'Excusez-moi' is the standard way to lead into a question for a stranger.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Excusez-moi vs. Désolé
Aufgabensammlung
4 Aufgaben_______, quel est le prix du sac ?
You are talking to a stranger in a professional setting, so the formal 'vous' form is required.
Excusez-moi de vous _______.
After 'de', you must use the infinitive form of the verb.
1. Excusez-moi | 2. Je suis désolé | 3. Excuse-moi
'Excusez-moi' is formal, 'Désolé' is for serious apologies, and 'Excuse-moi' is informal.
Learner: Bonjour, _______. Est-ce que vous avez l'heure ? Stranger: Oui, il est midi.
'Excusez-moi' is the standard way to lead into a question for a stranger.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, it sounds incomplete. You must include the 'moi'.
Not necessarily, but 'Excusez-moi' is more formal and better for starting a conversation.
You still say 'Excusez-moi'. The 'vous' form covers both formal singular and all plural situations.
Yes, 'Excusez-moi' or 'Pardon' are both perfect for after a sneeze.
You can say 'Je vous en prie' or simply 'Pardon' as you move out of the way.
It must have a hyphen in writing: 'Excusez-moi'.
Yes, 'Excusez-moi pour le retard' is very common and polite.
Usually, you would use 'Veuillez m'excuser' or 'Je vous prie de m'excuser' in a formal email.
It's better to say 'Excuse-moi' unless you are being intentionally funny or very formal.
No, it means 'Excuse me'. To say 'I forgive you', you would say 'Je vous pardonne'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Pardon
synonymSorry / Excuse me
Désolé
similarSorry
Je vous en prie
contrastYou're welcome / Please, go ahead
S'il vous plaît
builds onPlease
Veuillez m'excuser
specialized formPlease excuse me
