How to Say Excuse Me in German: Different Expressions for Every Situation

You're standing in a crowded Berlin U-Bahn, trying to squeeze past someone blocking the door. Or maybe you accidentally bumped into someone at a Munich beer garden. What do you say? If you're learning German, knowing how to say "excuse me" properly can save you from awkward silence or confused looks. The good news is that Germans have several ways to express this, depending on whether you're apologizing, getting someone's attention, or trying to squeeze through a crowd. Let's break down exactly when and how to use each phrase so you sound natural in any situation.

The main phrase: Entschuldigung

Entschuldigung (pronounced: ent-SHOOL-dee-goong) is your go-to phrase for "excuse me" in German. This word works in pretty much every situation where you'd say "excuse me" in English. Need to get past someone on the street? Entschuldigung. Accidentally stepped on someone's foot? Entschuldigung. Want to politely interrupt a conversation? Entschuldigung.

The word literally translates to "apology" or "excuse," and Germans use it constantly in everyday life. You'll hear it dozens of times walking through any German city. The beauty of Entschuldigung is that it works in both formal and informal contexts, so you won't offend anyone by using it.

Here's the thing though: Entschuldigung can feel a bit long and formal for quick, casual situations. That's why you'll often hear Germans shorten it to "Schuldigung" (SHOOL-dee-goong) in informal settings. Think of it like how English speakers say "scuse me" instead of the full "excuse me." If you're squeezing through a crowd at a concert or bumping past friends, Schuldigung sounds more natural and less stiff.

Formal situations: Entschuldigen Sie

When you need to be more formal or respectful, especially with strangers, older people, or in professional settings, you should use "Entschuldigen Sie" (ent-SHOOL-dee-gen zee). The "Sie" part is the formal "you" in German, which makes the whole phrase more polite and respectful.

This version is particularly important in business contexts, when speaking to officials, or when you want to show extra respect. If you're interrupting a meeting, approaching a professor, or getting the attention of a police officer, Entschuldigen Sie is the safer choice.

The pronunciation requires a bit more attention because you're adding the verb form. Practice saying it slowly at first: ent-SHOOL-dee-gen zee. The "gen" part rhymes with "pen," and "Sie" sounds like "zee."

You might also hear "Entschuldigen Sie bitte" (please excuse me), which adds an extra layer of politeness. Germans appreciate when foreigners make the effort to use formal language appropriately, so don't skip this one when the situation calls for it.

Informal alternatives: Verzeihung

Verzeihung (fer-TSY-oong) is another way to say "excuse me" in German, though it's slightly more formal and old-fashioned than Entschuldigung. You'll still hear it, especially from older Germans or in more traditional settings, but it's less common in everyday casual speech.

The word comes from "verzeihen," which means "to forgive" or "to pardon." Because of this, Verzeihung carries a slightly heavier tone, like you're asking for forgiveness rather than just saying "excuse me." It's perfectly acceptable to use, but most younger Germans stick with Entschuldigung for everyday situations.

That said, Verzeihung can be useful when you want to sound a bit more earnest or when you've made a slightly bigger mistake than just bumping someone's shoulder. The pronunciation can be tricky for English speakers because of that "pf" sound at the beginning (which sounds like "f" in this case) and the "ei" vowel combination.

When you're actually sorry: Tut mir leid

If you've done something that actually requires an apology, not just a polite "excuse me," you should use "Tut mir leid" (toot meer lite). This phrase means "I'm sorry" in the sense of genuine regret or apology.

Tut mir leid is what you say when you've genuinely inconvenienced someone, hurt their feelings, or made a real mistake. It's more personal and emotional than Entschuldigung. For example:

The literal translation is pretty funny: "It does me sorrow" or "It pains me." Germans structure this phrase differently from English, which is why it sounds a bit odd when translated directly. But in practice, it's the standard way to express genuine sorry feelings.

You can make it stronger by saying "Es tut mir sehr leid" (I'm very sorry) or "Es tut mir wirklich leid" (I'm really sorry). These additions show that you're genuinely apologetic about whatever happened.

Getting through a crowd: Darf ich vorbei

Sometimes you don't need to apologize or get someone's attention, you just need to physically get past them. In these situations, Germans often use "Darf ich vorbei?" (darf ikh for-BY), which means "May I get past?" or "Can I get through?"

This phrase is super practical for crowded trains, busy sidewalks, or packed events. It's polite but direct, which fits perfectly with German communication style. You're not apologizing for existing or taking up space, you're simply asking permission to move through.

The pronunciation is straightforward: "darf" rhymes with "scarf," "ich" sounds like "ikh" (with that throaty German "ch" sound), and "vorbei" sounds like "for-BY." Practice the "ch" sound by pretending you're trying to fog up a mirror with your breath.

You might also hear "Lassen Sie mich durch" (let me through), which is a bit more assertive. This one works when you really need to get somewhere, and people aren't moving. It's still polite, but it's got more urgency to it.

Swiss German variations: What is excuse me in Swiss German

Swiss German (Schweizerdeutsch) has its own unique phrases that differ from standard German. In Swiss German, you might hear "Exgüsi" (ex-GOO-zee) or "Excusez" (ex-coo-ZAY), both borrowed from French influence in Switzerland.

These phrases are much more casual and regional. If you're traveling in Switzerland, especially in areas near the French-speaking regions, you'll hear these variations frequently. They're shorter and snappier than the standard German Entschuldigung, which fits the Swiss German tendency toward more compact expressions.

Another Swiss variation is "Pardon" (par-DON), again showing French influence. Switzerland's multilingual culture means German speakers there often mix in French words, especially for common polite phrases.

If you're learning standard German (Hochdeutsch), stick with Entschuldigung, it'll work fine in Switzerland too. But knowing these regional variations helps you understand what locals are saying and shows cultural awareness.

Learn these common phrases through immersion

The best way to really nail these phrases is to hear them in context.

If you want to pick up these phrases naturally while watching German shows or reading German articles, Migaku's browser extension and app let you look up words instantly without breaking your immersion. Makes learning from real content way more practical. There's a 10-day free trial if you want to check it out.

Ready to sound polite in German? 🫡

Whether you go with Entschuldigung for everyday situations, Entschuldigen Sie for formal contexts, or Tut mir leid when you're genuinely sorry, you've now got the tools to navigate German politeness like a pro. The key is matching the phrase to the situation and not overthinking it. To achieve this, you can only rely on media consumption and time.

Simple courtesy carries great value.