Entschuldigen Sie, mein Herr
/ɛntˈʃʊldɪɡən ziː maɪ̯n hɛr/word by word
The English phrase "excuse me sir" is translated into German as Entschuldigen Sie, mein Herr.
Entschuldigen Sie, mein Herr is a polite way to get a man's attention or apologize for a small interruption.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb entschuldigen (to excuse), the formal pronoun Sie (you) and the noun phrase mein Herr (my gentleman/sir).
Which one should you use?
While Entschuldigen Sie, mein Herr is a full formal sentence, the single word Entschuldigung is a much more common, versatile and slightly less stiff way to say "excuse me" or "sorry" in everyday situations.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Entschuldigen Sie, mein Herr is highly formal and can sound somewhat old-fashioned or overly stiff in modern, casual German settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb entschuldigen is used in the imperative form with the formal pronoun Sie to create a polite request.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɛntˈʃʊldɪɡən ziː maɪ̯n hɛr/
Did you know?
- When you say Entschuldigen Sie, you are literally asking someone to 'de-guilt' you. The verb comes from 'schuldig', meaning 'guilty', so you are asking to be released from a debt or a sense of guilt.
Examples in context
- Entschuldigen Sie, mein Herr, können Sie mir bitte helfen?Excuse me sir, can you please help me?
Example conversation
Hannah asks Felix for directions in a train station.
- HannahEntschuldigen Sie, mein Herr, wo ist der Bahnhof?Excuse me sir, where is the station?
- FelixEr ist gleich dort vorne links.It is just ahead on the left.
- HannahVielen Dank für Ihre Hilfe!Thank you very much for your help!
- FelixGern geschehen, einen schönen Tag noch.You're welcome, have a nice day.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (entschuldigen, Sie, mein, Herr) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Herr, Sie, entschuldigen, mein, sie, CC BY-SA 4.0.
