How to Say Sorry in German: Casual and Formal
Saying sorry in German is not one word, it is a small toolkit. The right choice depends on whether you bumped into someone, broke a promise, or feel genuinely bad about something. Here is what to say, how to pronounce it, and when each version fits.
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What's in this guide
The quick answer
The word you will reach for most is Entschuldigung (ent-SHOOL-di-goong). It covers both sorry and excuse me, so you can use it to apologize for a small mistake or to get someone's attention on the street. It is neutral, safe, and works in almost every situation, from a shop to an office.
If you actually feel bad about something, the phrase Germans use is Es tut mir leid (es toot meer lyte), which literally means it does me sorrow. That is the one you want after you have hurt someone or let them down, not just stepped on their foot.
Casual ways to say sorry
Among friends, German gets shorter. The informal form of Entschuldigung is Entschuldige (ent-SHOOL-di-guh), which drops the final syllable and uses the familiar du command form. You will hear it constantly between people who already know each other.
Younger Germans borrow English freely, so a quick Sorry (spoken the English way) is completely normal in casual speech and texting. It is light, it does not carry much weight, and it fits small slip-ups. For anything that actually matters, switch back to Es tut mir leid so the person knows you mean it.
You may also hear Sorry, mein Fehler (my mistake) when someone owns a small error quickly.
Formal and polite apologies
In formal settings, use the full Entschuldigung or the more explicit Entschuldigen Sie (ent-SHOOL-di-gen zee), which uses the polite Sie form and is closer to excuse me or I beg your pardon. Add bitte (please) to soften it further.
An older, more ceremonial option is Verzeihung (fair-TSY-oong), meaning pardon. It sounds a touch formal or refined now, but it is still used, especially by older speakers or in writing. In business email you might see Ich bitte um Entschuldigung (I ask for your forgiveness), which is polished and sincere.
Sorry for a feeling vs sorry to interrupt
English uses sorry for two different jobs, and German splits them. When you feel regret, you say Es tut mir leid. When you are simply getting past someone or interrupting, you say Entschuldigung or Entschuldigen Sie.
You can also strengthen regret: Es tut mir wirklich leid (I am really sorry) or Es tut mir so leid (I am so sorry). If you are expressing sympathy because something bad happened to someone, the same phrase works, much like the English I'm sorry to hear that: Das tut mir leid.
German sorry phrases at a glance
- Entschuldigung (ent-SHOOL-di-goong) — sorry / excuse me, all-purpose and neutral
- Entschuldige (ent-SHOOL-di-guh) — casual sorry to a friend
- Entschuldigen Sie (ent-SHOOL-di-gen zee) — polite excuse me, formal
- Es tut mir leid (es toot meer lyte) — I am sorry (genuine regret)
- Es tut mir wirklich leid (es toot meer VEER-lish lyte) — I am really sorry
- Verzeihung (fair-TSY-oong) — pardon, formal or older-sounding
- Sorry (English pronunciation) — casual, texting and speech
- Mein Fehler (mine FAY-ler) — my mistake
Pick by weight: a light bump takes Entschuldigung, a real hurt takes Es tut mir leid.
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Common mistakes learners make
The first trap is pronouncing the sch in Entschuldigung. It is a soft sh sound, not a hard sk. Say ent-SHOOL, not ent-SKOOL.
The second is treating Es tut mir leid like a fixed lump and mangling the word order. Keep it exactly: Es tut mir leid. Learners often say Ich bin leid, which is not German. There is no I am sorry word-for-word equivalent; the feeling is expressed with tut mir leid.
Third, do not overuse Verzeihung in everyday chat. It can sound stiff or theatrical. Save it for formal moments and stick with Entschuldigung otherwise.
How to respond when someone apologizes
Knowing the replies makes conversations flow. If someone says sorry, common answers are Kein Problem (no problem), Macht nichts (it does not matter), or Schon gut (it's fine already). For a more reassuring tone use Kein Ding in casual speech.
If you want to fully accept an apology, you can say Ist schon okay (it's okay). These short phrases are worth memorizing because you will need them the moment you start speaking with real people.
Make it automatic
Apologies come out under pressure, so you want them on reflex, not assembled word by word in your head. The fastest way to get there is to say them out loud until the rhythm feels natural, especially Es tut mir leid, which trips people up in the moment.
Run through a few tiny scenes: bumping someone on a train, arriving late, forgetting a friend's message. Say the right phrase aloud for each. Practicing these short exchanges with a patient speaking partner, even an AI one, gets the pronunciation and timing into your body so it is there when you actually need it.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the most common way to say sorry in German?
Entschuldigung is the most common and flexible. It means both sorry and excuse me, so it works for small mistakes and for getting someone's attention.
What is the difference between Entschuldigung and Es tut mir leid?
Entschuldigung is for small slips and interruptions, like excuse me. Es tut mir leid expresses genuine regret and is what you say when you have actually hurt or disappointed someone.
Can I just say Sorry in German?
Yes, in casual speech and texting Germans often say Sorry with English pronunciation. For anything serious, use Es tut mir leid instead so it sounds sincere.
How do I apologize formally in German?
Use Entschuldigen Sie or Entschuldigung, and in writing Ich bitte um Entschuldigung. Verzeihung is a more formal or old-fashioned option.