Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| mein Fehler | /maɪ̯n ˈfeːlɐ/ (word by word) | masculine |
| meine Schuld | feminine |
In German, you can use these phrases to admit a mistake. Using mein Fehler. as a standalone sentence to mean "my bad" is common in casual conversation.
Which one should you use?
mein Fehler is used when referring to a mistake in logic, calculation or a specific error made in a task. In contrast, use meine Schuld when expressing personal responsibility or guilt for a situation or an outcome.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
mein Fehler. is an informal way to admit a mistake. In informal settings, you might also hear the English borrowing Sorry! used as a widely understood apology.
How does it change in a sentence?
To form a complete sentence, you often add Das ist (That is) or Es ist (It is) before the phrase.
How do you pronounce it?
/maɪ̯n ˈfeːlɐ/
When do people say it?
If you are apologizing to a friend or a peer, you can use the casual form Entschuldige!, which is the informal version of Entschuldigen Sie.
Did you know?
- While mein Fehler is a common way to admit a mistake, Germans often use the phrase Mein Mist! (literally 'my manure!') to express frustration at their own blunder.
- The German word Schuld carries a double meaning of both 'fault' and 'debt'. This connection is why you can use the same word to say someone is at fault or to say they owe money.
- In highly formal settings, a German might avoid saying mein Fehler entirely and instead use the passive Da ist ein Fehler unterlaufen, which implies the error just 'happened' rather than was 'made'.
Examples in context
- Das ist mein Fehler.My bad.This sentence is useful for showing how to use the phrase mein Fehler in a complete sentence.Tatoeba #1827981 by Tamy, translation #629816 by Snout
- Das war mein Fehler.That was my mistake.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maximilian realizes he forgot to call Laura.
- LauraWarum hast du mich nicht angerufen?Why didn't you call me?
- MaximilianDas war mein Fehler, Laura.That was my mistake, Laura.
- LauraIch habe den ganzen Tag gewartet.I waited all day.
- MaximilianEs tut mir wirklich leid.I am really sorry.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “my bad” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (mein, Fehler) and can differ in connected speech.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
