Significado
To apologize for a mistake or wrong doing.
Contexto cultural
In Germany, an apology is seen as a commitment to do better. If you 'bitten um Verzeihung', you are expected to explain how you will fix the mistake. Austrians might use 'Küss die Hand' (archaic) or very polite forms of 'Verzeihung' in social settings to maintain a sense of old-world charm and 'Höflichkeit'. Swiss German speakers often use 'Exgüsi' (from French excusez) for minor things, but will switch to High German 'Verzeihung' for formal written apologies. In German corporate culture, 'um Verzeihung bitten' is often preferred over 'sich entschuldigen' because you cannot technically 'excuse yourself'—only the other person can excuse you.
The 'Vielmals' Trick
Add 'vielmals' (many times) to sound incredibly polite: 'Ich bitte vielmals um Verzeihung'.
Don't overdo it
Using this for small things like dropping a pen makes you sound sarcastic or strange.
Significado
To apologize for a mistake or wrong doing.
The 'Vielmals' Trick
Add 'vielmals' (many times) to sound incredibly polite: 'Ich bitte vielmals um Verzeihung'.
Don't overdo it
Using this for small things like dropping a pen makes you sound sarcastic or strange.
Eye Contact
In Germany, when you ask for Verzeihung, maintain brief, sincere eye contact. Looking away can seem dishonest.
Email Closing
In a very formal complaint or apology letter, this phrase is a perfect way to end the main body.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the missing preposition.
Ich bitte dich ___ Verzeihung.
The verb 'bitten' always requires the preposition 'um' when asking for something.
Which sentence is the most appropriate for a formal business email?
You forgot to send a report to your boss.
This is the most formal and grammatically correct option for a professional setting.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of 'bitten'.
A: Warum hast du nichts gesagt? B: Ich ___ dich um Verzeihung, ich hatte Angst.
The speaker is currently asking for forgiveness, so the present tense 'bitte' is used.
Match the apology to the situation.
1. Bumping into someone on the street. 2. Losing a client's contract.
'Entschuldigung' is for minor accidents; 'um Verzeihung bitten' is for serious professional errors.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Entschuldigung vs. Verzeihung
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosIch bitte dich ___ Verzeihung.
The verb 'bitten' always requires the preposition 'um' when asking for something.
You forgot to send a report to your boss.
This is the most formal and grammatically correct option for a professional setting.
A: Warum hast du nichts gesagt? B: Ich ___ dich um Verzeihung, ich hatte Angst.
The speaker is currently asking for forgiveness, so the present tense 'bitte' is used.
1. Bumping into someone on the street. 2. Losing a client's contract.
'Entschuldigung' is for minor accidents; 'um Verzeihung bitten' is for serious professional errors.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
12 preguntasYes, as a short interjection like 'Excuse me', it is very common and polite.
It's not 'better', just more formal and sincere. Use it for bigger mistakes.
In the phrase 'um Verzeihung bitten', the article is usually omitted, but it is grammatically feminine.
No, 'Verzeihung' is social/secular. 'Vergebung' is the word typically used in religious contexts.
Only if you've done something really wrong. Otherwise, it sounds too stiff.
Ich bat um Verzeihung (Simple Past) or Ich habe um Verzeihung gebeten (Present Perfect).
Yes, when you are asking *for* something. 'Ich bitte um Hilfe', 'Ich bitte um Verzeihung'.
Yes, 'Sorry' is very common for minor things among young people and in cities.
You can say 'Schon gut', 'Kein Problem', or formally 'Ich verzeihe Ihnen'.
Yes, exactly the same way in formal High German.
No, you must include the 'um'.
It is formal, but not 'frozen'. It's standard for business and serious personal life.
Frases relacionadas
sich entschuldigen
similarto apologize
um Vergebung bitten
specialized formto ask for (divine) forgiveness
Abbitte leisten
synonymto make amends/apologize formally
Es tut mir leid
similarI am sorry
Nachsicht haben
contrastto have leniency
