Entschuldigung
/ɛntˈʃʊldiɡʊŋ/
The German phrase for "sorry casually" is Entschuldigung.
Entschuldigung is a common word used to apologize for a minor mistake or to get a stranger's attention, much like the English "Excuse me".
Which one should you use?
Entschuldigung is a functional "excuse me" or a quick apology for a bump, whereas Es tut mir leid expresses more genuine regret or sympathy.
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as a standalone exclamation to apologize, Entschuldigung! is often used with a rising intonation.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɛntˈʃʊldiɡʊŋ/
Did you know?
- The word Entschuldigung literally means 'de-guilting'. It comes from Schuld, which means both 'guilt' and 'debt', so you are asking to be freed from your debt.
- While Entschuldigung is used to get attention, using it too many times in a professional setting can make a speaker seem lacking in confidence or overly timid.
- In a crowded city, Germans often shorten Entschuldigung to just 'scuse me style fragments or a quick Tschuldigung to sound less formal and more efficient.
Examples in context
- Entschuldigung, darf ich mal kurz vorbei?Excuse me, may I pass by quickly?
- Oh, Entschuldigung, das habe ich nicht gesehen.Oh, sorry, I didn't see that.
- Entschuldigung, wie spät ist es gerade?Excuse me, what time is it right now?
Example conversation
Felix accidentally bumps into Hannah in a supermarket.
- FelixOh, Entschuldigung, Hannah!Oh, sorry, Hannah!
- HannahKein Problem, Felix.No problem, Felix.
- FelixIch habe dich nicht gesehen.I didn't see you.
- HannahDas macht doch nichts.That's alright.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Entschuldigung, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Entschuldigung, CC BY-SA 4.0.
