Entschuldigung
neutral
In Austrian German "excuse me" is Entschuldigung. Verzeihung is more formal and Pardon is a quick informal option.
Meaning: getting attention or apologizing (phrase)
Ways to say it
| German | Note |
|---|---|
| Entschuldigung | neutral |
| Verzeihung | formal |
| Pardon | casual |
Use Entschuldigung to get attention, to pass someone or to ask a question. A fuller form is Entschuldigen Sie bitte.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
With strangers, Entschuldigen Sie bitte is the polite way to start a question.
Did you know?
- Pardon is borrowed from French and is used in Austrian German alongside Entschuldigung.
Examples in context
- Entschuldigung, wo ist der Bahnhof?Excuse me, where is the train station?
- Entschuldigen Sie bitte, darf ich vorbei?Excuse me, may I get past?
Example conversation
A visitor named Ben asks a passer-by named Hanna for directions in Salzburg.
- BenEntschuldigen Sie bitte, wo ist der Bahnhof?Excuse me, where is the train station?
- HannaGeradeaus und dann links.Straight ahead and then left.
- BenDanke schön.Thank you very much.
