Entschuldigung, bitte
/ɛntˈʃʊldiɡʊŋ ˈbɪtə/word by word
The English phrase "excuse me, please" is translated into German as Entschuldigung, bitte.
You can use this phrase to get someone's attention or to ask for forgiveness for a small mistake. While Entschuldigung, bitte is a polite way to get attention, using just Entschuldigung is often sufficient and slightly more casual for minor interruptions. The word Entschuldigung alone can mean either "excuse me" or "I'm sorry".
What does it mean word for word?
The noun Entschuldigung is derived from the verb entschuldigen, which means "to excuse" or "to vindicate".
How does it change in a sentence?
Using the verb form Entschuldigen Sie bitte is a more grammatically complete way to say "Excuse me, please" when addressing someone formally.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɛntˈʃʊldiɡʊŋ ˈbɪtə/
Did you know?
- The word Entschuldigung shares its root with the word 'Schuld', which means 'guilt' or 'debt'. When you say Entschuldigung, you are literally asking someone to remove the 'guilt' or 'debt' from your account.
- The word bitte is so versatile that it can mean 'please', 'you are welcome' and even 'pardon' if spoken with a questioning intonation.
- If you want to be even more formal than using Entschuldigung, you can use the phrase Verzeihen Sie bitte. This is closer to saying 'Please forgive me' rather than just 'Excuse me'.
Examples in context
- Entschuldigung, könnten Sie mir helfen?Excuse me, could you help me?
Example conversation
Felix accidentally bumps into Hannah at a supermarket.
- FelixEntschuldigung, bitte, Hannah! Das war ein Versehen.Excuse me, please, Hannah! That was an accident.
- HannahDas macht nichts, Felix. Kein Problem.That's okay, Felix. No problem.
- FelixVielen Dank für dein Verständnis.Thank you very much for your understanding.
- HannahGerne, einen schönen Tag noch!You're welcome, have a nice day!
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (Entschuldigung, bitte) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Entschuldigung, bitte, CC BY-SA 4.0.
