How to Say “My Apologies” in German

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meine Entschuldigung
The English phrase "my apologies" can be translated into German as meine Entschuldigung.
meine Entschuldigung is a polite way to offer an apology for a mistake or a minor offense. While it is a formal way to offer an apology, it is often more idiomatic in formal written or spoken German to use the verb-based phrase Ich bitte um Entschuldigung, which means "I ask for forgiveness" or "I apologize".

What does it mean word for word?

Literally, meine Entschuldigung means "my apology" in the singular form.

Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?

meine Entschuldigung is a formal way to offer an apology. For more common, everyday situations, simply saying Entschuldigung! is the standard way to say "Excuse me" or "Sorry!" If you need to express apologies in different contexts, you might use: * Es tut mir leid. (I am sorry) is a standard way to apologize in formal situations. * Entschuldigen Sie bitte. (Please excuse me) is used when seeking forgiveness in more formal contexts. * Ich bitte um Verzeihung. (I beg your pardon) is a formal expression that shows a greater level of remorse. * Entschuldige bitte. (Please excuse me) is a casual way of apologizing used among friends and family. * Tut mir echt leid. (I'm really sorry) is an informal way to express apologies.

Did you know?

  • The root of Entschuldigung is Schuld, which means both 'guilt' and 'debt'. To apologize in German is literally to ask to be 'un-indebted' or released from a debt of guilt.
  • The phrase Es tut mir leid literally translates to 'it does harm to me' or 'it is regrettable to me'. It describes the speaker's internal state of sadness rather than the act of apologizing.
  • While Entschuldigung is used for 'sorry', Germans use the same word to ask for a permission to leave a class or a meeting, effectively asking to be 'excused'.

Examples in context

  • Er nahm meine Entschuldigung nicht an.
    He did not accept my apologies.
    This sentence shows how to use meine Entschuldigung in a sentence regarding someone accepting an apology.
    Tatoeba #1087685 by Katheriinne, translation #297990 by CK
  • Es tut mir leid, dass ich Ihren Termin verpasst habe.
    I am sorry for missing your appointment.
  • Ich bitte um Verzeihung für meinen Fehler.
    I apologize for my mistake.
  • Entschuldige bitte, dass ich den Termin vergessen habe.
    Please excuse me for forgetting the appointment.
  • Tut mir echt leid, dass ich deinen Geburtstag vergessen habe.
    I'm really sorry for forgetting your birthday.
  • 1 more sentence on Tatoeba

Example conversation

Maximilian accidentally bumps into Sarah in the office.

  1. Maximilian

    Oh, meine Entschuldigung, Sarah!
    Oh, my apologies, Sarah!
  2. Sarah

    Das macht doch nichts, Maximilian.
    That is no problem, Maximilian.
  3. Maximilian

    Ich war nicht aufmerksam.
    I wasn't paying attention.
  4. Sarah

    Kein Problem, alles ist gut.
    No problem, everything is fine.

Sources

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Madeleine Allison
Madeleine AllisonHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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