tut mir leid zu hören
The English phrase "sorry to hear" is translated into German as tut mir leid zu hören.
This phrase is used to express sympathy or sadness after learning about someone's misfortune or bad news.
What does it mean word for word?
The core component tut mir leid literally translates to "does me harm" or "causes me sorrow", where leid is an old noun for suffering or grief.
Which one should you use?
While Es tut mir leid can mean both "I am sorry (for my mistake)" and "I am sorry (to hear your bad news)", the phrase tut mir leid zu hören is a more explicit way to express sympathy for news, similar to how English speakers distinguish the two.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you use the phrase in the construction Es tut mir leid zu hören, dass… (I am sorry to hear that…), you must use the conjunction dass. This triggers subordinate clause word order, which moves the conjugated verb to the very end of the sentence.
Did you know?
- In deeply formal situations, such as a funeral, Germans rarely use tut mir leid zu hören and instead use the specific phrase Mein Beileid, which translates to 'my condolences'.
- The word leid in the phrase shares a common ancestor with the English word 'loath'.
- In the phrase tut mir leid zu hören, the German speaker describes the news as something that 'does' or 'performs' sorrow upon them, rather than stating that they 'feel' the emotion.
Examples in context
- Es tut mir leid zu hören, was Tom zugestoßen ist.I'm sorry to hear about what happened to Tom.This sentence is useful for expressing sympathy regarding what happened to Tom using tut mir leid zu hören.Tatoeba #3197047 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2993142 by CK
- Es tut mir leid zu hören, dass du gar nicht kommst.I'm sorry to hear that you won't be there.This sentence is useful for expressing sympathy regarding someone's absence using tut mir leid zu hören.Tatoeba #11838422 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #10756681 by CK
- Es tut mir leid zu hören, dass Ihnen etwas Schlimmes passiert ist.I'm sorry to hear that something bad happened to you.
- Mein aufrichtiges Beileid zum Verlust Ihres Vaters.My sincere condolences on the loss of your father.
- Das tut mir wirklich leid, dass Sie diese Schwierigkeiten durchmachen müssen.I'm really sorry that you have to go through these difficulties.
- Ich möchte mein Mitgefühl für Ihren Verlust ausdrücken.I would like to express my sympathy for your loss.
- Es tut mir aufrichtig leid, dass Ihr Projekt gescheitert ist.I'm sincerely sorry that your project failed.
- Das ist ja echt schade, dass du nicht mitkommen kannst.That's really a shame that you can't come along.
- Echt traurig, was dir passiert ist.Really sad what happened to you.
Example conversation
Sarah tells Lukas that her dog is sick.
- LukasWas ist mit deinem Hund passiert?What happened to your dog?
- SarahEr ist leider sehr krank geworden.Unfortunately, he has become very sick.
- LukasDas tut mir leid zu hören, Sarah.I'm sorry to hear that, Sarah.
- SarahDanke, Lukas. Das ist sehr lieb.Thanks, Lukas. That is very kind.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hören, leid, mir, zu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
