Meaning
A polite request to repeat something that was not heard or understood.
Cultural Background
Germans value 'Verbindlichkeit' (reliability). If you don't understand something, it is your responsibility to ask. Not asking is seen as a lack of interest. In Austria, politeness can be even more formal. You might hear 'Entschuldigen Sie bitte' (Excuse me please) more often than the shorter 'Entschuldigung'. Swiss German speakers often use 'Exgüsi' (from French 'Excusez') in informal settings, but in formal 'High German' contexts, they use the standard phrase. People in the North can be very direct and brief. They might prefer the shorter 'Wie bitte?' but will always respect the full formal phrase.
The 'Wie bitte?' Shortcut
If 'Entschuldigung, was haben Sie gesagt?' feels too long, just use 'Wie bitte?'. It is 100% polite and much easier to pronounce under pressure.
Watch the 'Sie'
Always capitalize 'Sie' in writing. If you write 'sie' (lowercase), it means 'she' or 'they', which changes the meaning entirely!
Meaning
A polite request to repeat something that was not heard or understood.
The 'Wie bitte?' Shortcut
If 'Entschuldigung, was haben Sie gesagt?' feels too long, just use 'Wie bitte?'. It is 100% polite and much easier to pronounce under pressure.
Watch the 'Sie'
Always capitalize 'Sie' in writing. If you write 'sie' (lowercase), it means 'she' or 'they', which changes the meaning entirely!
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing formal pronoun.
Entschuldigung, was haben ___ gesagt?
In a formal context with 'haben', you must use the capitalized 'Sie'.
Which phrase is most appropriate for a job interview?
You didn't hear the interviewer's question. What do you say?
This is the most polite and formal option suitable for a professional setting.
Complete the dialogue at the train station.
Beamter: 'Der Zug kommt um 14:30 Uhr.' Learner: '___________? 14:30 Uhr?'
The learner is asking for confirmation of the time they just heard.
Match the phrase to the person you are talking to.
1. Your best friend, 2. A police officer, 3. A small child
Formal for the officer, informal for the friend and child.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesEntschuldigung, was haben ___ gesagt?
In a formal context with 'haben', you must use the capitalized 'Sie'.
You didn't hear the interviewer's question. What do you say?
This is the most polite and formal option suitable for a professional setting.
Beamter: 'Der Zug kommt um 14:30 Uhr.' Learner: '___________? 14:30 Uhr?'
The learner is asking for confirmation of the time they just heard.
1. Your best friend, 2. A police officer, 3. A small child
Formal for the officer, informal for the friend and child.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questionsNo, it is actually considered more polite to ask than to pretend you understood. It shows you are paying attention.
Yes, you can use it with a rising intonation to mean 'Excuse me?'. But adding 'was haben Sie gesagt?' makes it much clearer.
You can say: 'Entschuldigung, ich verstehe das Wort nicht. Können Sie es anders sagen?' (I don't understand the word. Can you say it differently?)
Related Phrases
Wie bitte?
synonymPardon? / How's that?
Was hast du gesagt?
similarWhat did you say? (informal)
Können Sie das wiederholen?
builds onCan you repeat that?
Ich habe Sie nicht verstanden.
similarI didn't understand you.
