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Lesson 6 of 240

New here? This is lesson 6 of a free 240-lesson German course.

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Excuse me, sorry in German

Priya is in the bakery doorway on Fliederstraße. She blocks the way, then she says sorry for saying sorry.

Renate wants a short excuse-me, not a long speech. Anton sits on two chairs and does not move.

By the end, you'll get someone's attention, apologise, and accept an apology.

Entschuldigung is the everyday one. Use Entschuldigen Sie with staff. Tut mir leid owns a mistake. Kein Problem lets it go.

By the end of this lesson

Get someone's attention, apologise, and accept an apology.

  • Entschuldigung.Excuse me
  • Entschuldigen Sie.Excuse me
  • Tut mir leid.I'm sorry
  • Verzeihung.Pardon me
  • Kein Problem.No problem
  • Keine Sorge.Don't worry

Scene — the bakery door

Priya stops in the bakery door. A man waits on the pavement behind her.

Renate looks up from the counter. Anton sits on two chairs by the aisle, Milchkaffee full, and he does not plan to move.

Priya pauses in the bakery doorway while Renate looks up from the counter and Anton occupies two chairs in the aisle.

Learn — excuse me and sorry

Six short lines cover excuse me, I'm sorry, pardon me, and two ways to say it is fine.

You'll get a polite form for staff, and a short don't-worry.

  1. Priya turns toward the person waiting on the pavement and makes a small apologetic gesture.

    Entschuldigung.

    Excuse me

    When to use it: Say this to get past someone or to get attention.

    Learn it as one piece for a short excuse-me.

  2. Priya gives Renate a polite nod from the doorway.

    Entschuldigen Sie.

    Excuse me

    When to use it: Say this to staff or a stranger when you need a moment.

    Learn it as one piece with staff and new people.

  3. Priya steps into the bakery and pauses just inside the doorway.

    Tut mir leid.

    I'm sorry

    When to use it: Say this when you have got in someone's way.

    Learn it as one piece when you own a small mistake.

  4. Priya pauses in the aisle and politely addresses Renate as she passes the counter.

    Verzeihung.

    Pardon me

    When to use it: Say this as a short pardon when you bump someone.

    Learn it as one piece for a quick pardon.

  5. Renate answers Priya with an easy, open-handed gesture.

    Kein Problem.

    No problem

    When to use it: Say this when someone has said sorry to you.

    Learn it as one piece to accept a small apology.

  6. Anton remains seated across two chairs with his milky coffee as Priya stands nearby and apologizes.

    Keine Sorge.

    Don't worry

    When to use it: Say this to tell someone not to worry.

    Learn it as one piece after someone says sorry.

    Say it: Sorge puts the stress on the first syllable.

Story — she blocks the door

Watch Priya at the bakery door. She blocks the way, then she says sorry for saying sorry. Anton does not move.

Highlighted words are the new lines. Turn on Show English if you need it.

  1. Priya fills the bakery doorway.
  2. PriyaEntschuldigung.Excuse me.
  3. RenateGuten Morgen.Good morning.
  4. A man waits on the pavement behind her.
  5. StrangerEntschuldigen Sie.Excuse me.
  6. PriyaTut mir leid.I'm sorry.
  7. She steps in, then she stops again.
  8. PriyaVerzeihung.Pardon me.
  9. RenateKein Problem.No problem.
  10. Anton sits on two chairs in the aisle.
  11. AntonHallo.Hello.
  12. PriyaTut mir leid.I'm sorry.
  13. AntonKeine Sorge.Don't worry.
  14. PriyaEntschuldigung.Excuse me.
  15. He does not move.

Practice — sorry or no problem

Ten short tasks check excuse-me, sorry, and the two calm replies.

You'll hear a line, fill a gap, swap a word, and build one.

0 of 10 done

  1. What did you hear?

  2. What does it mean?

    Verzeihung.

  3. What do you say?

    You want a short excuse-me to get attention, not an apology.

  4. Match the pairs

    German

    Entschuldigung.Drop the English here
    Tut mir leid.Drop the English here
    Kein Problem.Drop the English here

    English

    Drag an English line onto its German, or tap one and then the other.

  5. Fill the gap

    I'm sorry

    Tut mir ____.

  6. Build the line

    Excuse me

    .

    Tap the words in order.

  7. Swap the word

    Someone said sorry. Tell them it is no problem.

    Kein ____.

  8. Pick the reply

    Anton says:

    Tut mir leid.

    I'm sorry.

    And you reply with:

  9. Find the mistake

  10. What do you say?

    You want a short hello, not an excuse-me.

Say it — say it back

Now you're Priya in the bakery doorway. When it is your turn, tap the microphone and speak.

Tap play first if you want to hear the line. Your recording stays on your device.

  1. RenateGuten Morgen.Good morning.
  2. Priya (you)Get her attention. You are in the doorway.

    Entschuldigung.

    Excuse me

0 of 6 said

Recap — what you can say now

GermanEnglish
Entschuldigung.Excuse me
Entschuldigen Sie.Excuse me
Tut mir leid.I'm sorry
Verzeihung.Pardon me
Kein Problem.No problem
Keine Sorge.Don't worry
Next: lesson 7Can I get past

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A quick round with the Yak Cards each day keeps your excuse-me ready for the door.

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