Em 15 segundos
- The universal German word for 'Excuse me' and 'I am sorry'.
- Use it to get attention or apologize for minor social slip-ups.
- Shorten it to 'tschuldigung' when talking quickly with friends.
Significado
It is your all-purpose 'magic word' for getting someone's attention, apologizing for a small bump, or asking for forgiveness when you've made a mistake.
Exemplos-chave
3 de 6Navigating a crowd
Entschuldigung, darf ich mal vorbei?
Excuse me, may I get past?
Ordering at a cafe
Entschuldigung, ich hätte gerne einen Kaffee.
Excuse me, I would like a coffee.
Texting a friend about being late
Entschuldigung! Bin 5 Minuten zu spät.
Sorry! I'm 5 minutes late.
Contexto cultural
Germans value their 'Feierabend' and personal space. Saying 'Entschuldigung' before interrupting someone's private time is crucial. In Vienna, you might hear 'Gestatten Sie?' (May I?) as a very formal alternative to 'Entschuldigung' in high-society contexts. Swiss Germans often use 'Exgüsi' (from French 'Excusez') as a common informal way to say 'Entschuldigung'. In a German office, if you are 2 minutes late, a quick 'Entschuldigung' is expected. Punctuality is a form of respect.
The 'T' is silent-ish
In 'Tschuldigung', the 'T' and 'Sch' blend into a single sharp sound, almost like 'ch' in 'church'.
Don't over-apologize
While Germans are polite, over-using 'Entschuldigung' for every tiny thing can sometimes come across as insecure or annoying.
Em 15 segundos
- The universal German word for 'Excuse me' and 'I am sorry'.
- Use it to get attention or apologize for minor social slip-ups.
- Shorten it to 'tschuldigung' when talking quickly with friends.
What It Means
Entschuldigung is the Swiss Army knife of German politeness. It literally translates to 'de-guilt-ing' yourself. You are asking someone to remove the 'Schuld' (guilt) from you. It covers 'excuse me,' 'sorry,' and 'pardon' all in one go. It is the polite buffer between you and the rest of the world.
How To Use It
You can use it as a standalone word. Just say Entschuldigung! when you sneeze or trip. You can also use it to start a sentence. Try Entschuldigung, wo ist die Toilette? to find the bathroom. It works as both a noun and an exclamation. Just keep the 'ch' sound soft, like a tiny hiss.
When To Use It
Use it when you need to pass someone on a crowded train. Use it at a restaurant to catch the waiter's eye. It is perfect for when you accidentally step on a poodle in Berlin. Use it if you are five minutes late to a meeting. It is the gold standard for daily social friction. It makes you look like a civilized human being.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for massive life mistakes. If you crash a friend's car, you need something stronger. Avoid it if you are actually angry at someone. It is a polite word, not a weapon of sarcasm. Also, do not use it to mean 'What?' if you didn't hear someone. For that, Germans usually prefer a short Wie bitte? instead.
Cultural Background
Germans value order and personal space quite highly. Entschuldigung is the verbal lubricant that keeps society moving smoothly. It shows you respect the other person's boundaries. Interestingly, the word is quite long and clunky. This reflects the German love for precise, compound nouns. Even their apologies are structurally sound and efficient!
Common Variations
In casual settings, people often drop the first syllable. They just say 'tschuldigung. It sounds like 'chull-dee-goong.' If you want to be extra formal, use the verb form. Say Entschuldigen Sie bitte. This is the 'Black Tie' version of the word. In the south, you might hear Verzeihung, which is a bit more old-fashioned and poetic.
Notas de uso
The phrase is universally safe. Use the full word for strangers and the shortened version for people you know. It is the most important word for a tourist to learn.
The 'T' is silent-ish
In 'Tschuldigung', the 'T' and 'Sch' blend into a single sharp sound, almost like 'ch' in 'church'.
Don't over-apologize
While Germans are polite, over-using 'Entschuldigung' for every tiny thing can sometimes come across as insecure or annoying.
Use it to skip lines (politely)
If you have a very small question at a service desk, a quick 'Entschuldigung, nur eine ganz kurze Frage' can often get you a quick answer without waiting 20 minutes.
Eye Contact
When saying 'Entschuldigung' to a stranger, a brief moment of eye contact makes it much more effective and polite.
Exemplos
6Entschuldigung, darf ich mal vorbei?
Excuse me, may I get past?
Standard way to move through a group of people.
Entschuldigung, ich hätte gerne einen Kaffee.
Excuse me, I would like a coffee.
A polite way to get the server's attention.
Entschuldigung! Bin 5 Minuten zu spät.
Sorry! I'm 5 minutes late.
Commonly used in texts for minor delays.
Entschuldigung, das war mein Fehler.
Excuse me, that was my mistake.
Shows accountability in a workplace setting.
Oh, Entschuldigung! Alles okay?
Oh, sorry! Is everything okay?
The most common reactive use of the word.
Entschuldigung, ich habe deinen Keks gegessen!
Sorry, I ate your cookie!
Used playfully for small 'crimes'.
Teste-se
Match the situation to the most appropriate German phrase.
Situations: 1. Bumping into a stranger. 2. Asking a waiter for the bill. 3. Forgetting a best friend's wedding.
Entschuldigung is for minor bumps and getting attention. Serious mistakes require 'Es tut mir leid'.
Fill in the blank with the correct formal form.
________ Sie, wo ist {die|f} Post?
When using 'Sie', you need the imperative verb form 'Entschuldigen'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Oh! Ich habe Ihren {der|m} Kaffee verschüttet! B: ________, das macht nichts.
In this context, Speaker A is apologizing. (Note: Speaker B would actually say 'Kein Problem', but the prompt asks for the apology part). Wait, if A spills the coffee, A says 'Entschuldigung'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct for a formal email?
Choose the best option:
'Ich bitte um Entschuldigung' is the standard formal way to apologize in writing.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Entschuldigung vs. Es tut mir leid
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosSituations: 1. Bumping into a stranger. 2. Asking a waiter for the bill. 3. Forgetting a best friend's wedding.
Entschuldigung is for minor bumps and getting attention. Serious mistakes require 'Es tut mir leid'.
________ Sie, wo ist {die|f} Post?
When using 'Sie', you need the imperative verb form 'Entschuldigen'.
A: Oh! Ich habe Ihren {der|m} Kaffee verschüttet! B: ________, das macht nichts.
In this context, Speaker A is apologizing. (Note: Speaker B would actually say 'Kein Problem', but the prompt asks for the apology part). Wait, if A spills the coffee, A says 'Entschuldigung'.
Choose the best option:
'Ich bitte um Entschuldigung' is the standard formal way to apologize in writing.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
12 perguntasYes, 'Sorry' is very common among young people, but 'Entschuldigung' is always safer and more respectful.
'Pardon' is slightly more old-fashioned or elegant, often used for very small physical bumps.
The most common responses are 'Kein Problem', 'Schon gut', or 'Bitte sehr' (if you are letting them pass).
It is neutral. To make it formal, use 'Entschuldigen Sie'. To make it informal, use 'Tschuldigung'.
Yes, say 'Entschuldigung?' with a rising question intonation.
It is a noun ({die|f} Entschuldigung), but it is used as an interjection. The verb is 'entschuldigen'.
It's just a lazy, faster way to say the full word, very common in daily life.
Yes, but 'Ich bitte um Entschuldigung' is more professional.
Use 'Es tut mir leid' or 'Ich bitte um Verzeihung'. 'Entschuldigung' is too light for serious harm.
It means both! It depends entirely on the situation.
Yes, though you will also hear 'Exgüsi' quite often.
It's like the 'ng' in 'sing'. Don't pronounce a hard 'g' at the end.
Frases relacionadas
Es tut mir leid
similarI'm sorry / It does me sorrow
Verzeihung
synonymPardon / Forgiveness
Pardon
synonymPardon
Kein Problem
contrastNo problem
Schon gut
contrastIt's okay / fine
Sich entschuldigen
builds onTo apologize
