Sorry in German: Es tut mir leid, Entschuldigung, and How to Apologize
Sorry
Es tut mir leid
Sorry in German is Es tut mir leid. It means "I am sorry" and it is the phrase for a real apology, when you feel bad about something. For the small everyday "sorry", like bumping into someone, Germans say Entschuldigung. Knowing which one to use is the whole skill.
The list below has the apologies from light to serious, the phrases for admitting a mistake, what to say when someone has lost a person, and the replies. Every phrase has audio.
Ways to say sorry in German
Es tut mir leid and Tut mir leid are the real apologies. Entschuldigung is the quick one for small things. The last two are not apologies but sympathy, which English "sorry" also covers.
| German | English | Note | Listen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Es tut mir leid The real apology. Literally "it does me sorrow" | I am sorry | The real apology. Literally "it does me sorrow" | |
| Tut mir leid The same, shorter and more casual | Sorry | The same, shorter and more casual | |
| Entschuldigung For small things: bumping, interrupting, being a little late | Sorry, excuse me | For small things: bumping, interrupting, being a little late | |
| Entschuldige / Entschuldigen Sie Informal / formal verb forms | Sorry | Informal / formal verb forms | |
| Verzeihung A little old-fashioned | Pardon | A little old-fashioned | |
| Es tut mir sehr leid Stronger. Also: Es tut mir wirklich leid (I am really sorry) | I am very sorry | Stronger. Also: Es tut mir wirklich leid (I am really sorry) | |
| Das wollte ich nicht | I did not mean to | ||
| Das war mein Fehler | That was my mistake | ||
| Ich bitte um Entschuldigung Formal, for emails and serious situations | I apologize | Formal, for emails and serious situations | |
| Sorry Young Germans use the English word for small things | Sorry | Young Germans use the English word for small things | |
| Mein Beileid When someone has died. Formal: Mein herzliches Beileid | My condolences | When someone has died. Formal: Mein herzliches Beileid | |
| Schade Sympathy, not an apology | That is a pity | Sympathy, not an apology |
How to reply to an apology
These all tell the other person it is fine. Macht nichts and Kein Problem are the two you will hear most.
| German | English | Note | Listen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Macht nichts Literally "it does nothing" | Never mind | Literally "it does nothing" | |
| Kein Problem | No problem | ||
| Schon gut Informal, a little short | It is fine | Informal, a little short | |
| Ist schon okay Informal | It is okay | Informal | |
| Keine Sorge | Do not worry | ||
| Alles gut Very common, informal | All good | Very common, informal |
Example sentences
Es tut mir leid, ich habe deinen Geburtstag vergessen.
I am sorry, I forgot your birthday.
Tut mir leid, ich bin zu spät.
Sorry, I am late.
Das war mein Fehler. Es tut mir wirklich leid.
That was my mistake. I am really sorry.
Entschuldigung, das wollte ich nicht.
Sorry, I did not mean to.
Mein herzliches Beileid.
My sincere condolences.
Es tut mir leid, aber das geht nicht.
I am sorry, but that is not possible.
Good to know
Es tut mir leid or Entschuldigung?
Entschuldigung asks to be excused for a small act: a bump, an interruption, a late arrival. Es tut mir leid says how you feel: you are sorry about something that mattered. If you are not sure, Es tut mir leid is the safer apology, and Entschuldigung is the safer "excuse me".
The grammar of leid tun
The subject is es (it), and the person who is sorry is in the dative: Es tut mir leid (I am sorry), Es tut ihm leid (he is sorry), Es tut uns leid (we are sorry). You do not say Ich bin leid. To name what you are sorry about, add a dass clause: Es tut mir leid, dass ich zu spät bin.
Sorry for a loss
When someone has died, do not say Es tut mir leid on its own. The set phrase is Mein Beileid (my condolences) or, more formally, Mein herzliches Beileid or Herzliches Beileid. You can also say Das tut mir sehr leid to show sympathy for bad news that is not a death.
Sorry is not excuse me
English uses "sorry" to get past someone. German does not use Es tut mir leid for that. In a crowd, say Entschuldigung or Darf ich mal? (may I get past?).
Sorry as a loanword
Germans under about forty say Sorry all the time for small things, with the English pronunciation. It is fine between friends and in casual shops. In a formal setting, or for something serious, use Es tut mir leid.
Practice with flashcards
This phrase and 120 more as cards. See the English, say the German, flip to check. Free, no signup.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say I am sorry in German?
What is the difference between Es tut mir leid and Entschuldigung?
What does Tut mir leid mean?
How do you say sorry for your loss in German?
Do Germans say Sorry?
How do you reply when someone says sorry in German?
Continue learning
Common German Phrases
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German Phrases Flashcards
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Hello in German
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Thank you in German
Thank You in German: Danke, Danke schön, and Vielen Dank
Yes in German
Yes in German: Ja, Doch, Genau, and the Other Ways to Agree
No in German
No in German: Nein, Nicht, Kein, and the Casual Nee
You're welcome in German
You're Welcome in German: Bitte, Bitte schön, and Gern geschehen
How are you in German
How Are You in German: Wie geht's, Wie geht es dir, Wie geht es Ihnen
Goodbye in German
Goodbye in German: Auf Wiedersehen, Tschüss, and Bis bald
Cheers in German
Cheers in German: Prost, Zum Wohl, and Other Toasts
Please in German
Please in German: Bitte and Its Four Meanings
Good night in German
Good Night in German: Gute Nacht, Schlaf gut, and Sweet Dreams
Excuse me in German
Excuse Me in German: Entschuldigung, Entschuldigen Sie, and Verzeihung
Good evening in German
Good Evening in German: Guten Abend, Schönen Abend, and Guten Tag
Welcome in German
Welcome in German: Willkommen and Herzlich willkommen
My name is in German
My Name Is in German: Ich heiße, Ich bin, and Mein Name ist
Happy birthday in German
Happy Birthday in German: Alles Gute zum Geburtstag and Herzlichen Glückwunsch
I love you in German
I Love You in German: Ich liebe dich, Ich hab dich lieb, and Mein Schatz