59 fitting ways to say sorry in German, depending on the situation

When you’re learning German or any other language and interacting with native speakers, little mistakes and blunders come with the territory.

You might butcher someone’s name, use the wrong pronoun or do something that might be considered rude in the respective culture - but don’t worry. There’s a simple fix for all of these little faux pas.

Whether you need to say “I’m sorry” (Es tut mir Leid) or “Excuse me” (Entschuldigung), we’ll teach you all the ways you can apologize in German and give you some ideas on how to make up for your mistakes just in case a simple sorry isn’t enough.

How to say I’m sorry in German

How sorry you are depends on the gravity of the situation. Did you just step on someone’s foot, or do you have to lay off an employee? We’ll explain all the nuances of how to say sorry in German.

A simple sorry

It happens all the time: We bump into a stranger on the street or accidentally brush someone’s hand reaching for the sugar at the same time. A simple sorry is enough to acknowledge the mistake. In German, you can say “Entschuldigung” or use the more informal abbreviation “‘Tschuldigung”. The English word “Sorry” works, too. You’ll hear it a lot, especially among younger people.

Taking responsibility

If you actually did something wrong, like mailing the wrong documents at work or breaking your friend’s favorite vase, a cool “sorry” won’t do. You’ll need to make it a whole sentence and say “Das tut mir so Leid” (I’m so sorry) or “Entschuldige bitte” (Please excuse me). Maybe add “Das war keine Absicht” (That wasn’t on purpose) to stress that you meant no harm.

Offering sympathies

When someone receives bad news or is suffering because of some unforeseen circumstances, you can express your sympathy with an honest “Das tut mir wirklich Leid für dich” (I’m truly sorry for you).

To express your condolences after someone passed away, you say “Mein herzliches Beileid” (My deepest condolences).

How to say sorry to someone you have hurt

When you want to apologize, a language barrier can add some extra difficulty to the situation, but by going out of your way and saying it in the other person’s language, you’ll show that you’re making a real effort. That way, your apology is even more meaningful.

How to say you’re sorry when something bad has happened to someone you care about

It’s hard to find the right words when something bad happens, but sometimes it’s enough just to acknowledge someone’s hurt. In German, there’s a saying: “Geteiltes Leid ist halbes Leid”. It means “Shared pain is only half the pain.”

How to apologize when you bump into someone by accident or you want to get past someone blocking the way

German trains can get very crowded and sometimes people don’t realize this is your stop and they’re blocking your way. Waving and pushing will get you out of there, too, but here are some more polite ways to get someone’s attention.

How to apologize when you need to ask someone to repeat something

You probably already had to say “pardon me” in a German conversation. It happens all the time when you’re learning a new language. You can’t make out a word you don’t know, or the native speaker may pronounce it differently than you expected. Don’t be afraid to ask a third or fourth time!

How to apologize when you have made a small mistake (that did not hurt anyone).

You butt-dialed your friend on the way to a party or wished your colleagues a good weekend when it’s only Wednesday? No biggie. Say “Hoppla” and move on.

How to say sorry in a formal or business environment

At work you may need to formally apologize if you made a mistake. Here’s how you do it if your business partners or clients are German.

How to ask for forgiveness

Asking for forgiveness is difficult even in your native language. If you need to ask for forgiveness in German, we’ll give you the right phrases. All you have to do is work up the courage to say them!

How to express regret

You may not be able to take back what you said or did but you can always own up to it and offer an honest apology to the other person. That will make you both feel better.

How to make up for a mistake if sorry isn’t enough

Actions do speak louder than words. So if an honest apology isn’t enough, try a small gesture to emphasize your good intentions.

Cook for the person

Who can still be mad when they’re being surprised with their favorite meal? If you want to apologize to a friend or a loved one, grab or even cook a meal they’d enjoy and show them that you’re serious about making up for your mistake.

Keep in mind that Germans love veggies. Our delicious German veggie guide can offer some inspiration on what to make for them.

Write a letter

It can be hard to find the right words, especially in a foreign language. Sit down and take the time to say all the things you want to say. Explain your motives, and where you went wrong. Then take responsibility. This will show the other person that you’re serious about your apology.

The Feierabendbier

In many German offices, you’ll encounter the tradition of the “Feierabendbier” (post-work beer) - a beer you have with your colleagues after the workday is done. If you made a mistake at work that everyone suffered from, say you broke the printer or made everyone stay a little longer to help with your project, this is the right time to buy a round of Feierabendbierchen and make it up to your colleagues.

Sorry to see you go

Small mistakes are a part of life and especially common when you’re learning something new or finding yourself in a foreign culture, but now you know how to apologize and move on.

All that matters in the end is that you learn from your mistakes. In language learning as in life, the moment you realize what you did wrong, you can go find out how to make it right.

If you had had no regrets and aren’t sorry about learning free German vocabulary, keep up the fun ride on our language blog.