"Excuse me" in German is about getting someone's attention or interrupting politely — a different job from apologizing, which has its own page.
Ways to say it
Entschuldigung, wo ist der Bahnhof?
Excuse me, where is the train station?
Verzeihung, dürfte ich kurz durch?
Pardon me, may I get through?
Why Entschuldigung Isn't Really an Apology
Entschuldigung literally means something closer to 'freeing myself of guilt,' but in practice it functions like the English 'excuse me' - a social nicety for interrupting or asking for help, not an admission of fault.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Entschuldigung and Verzeihung?+
Both work to get someone's attention. Entschuldigung is the everyday, all-purpose choice; Verzeihung is a notch more formal — use it with strangers or in professional settings.
Is this the same word I'd use to apologize?+
Entschuldigung can do both jobs, but German has separate, more natural phrases for a genuine apology — see "How to Say Sorry in German" for those.
Can I practice these with flashcards or a quiz?+
Yes — check the phrases you want using the checkboxes in the table, then use the bar at the bottom of the page to start Flashcards, Multiple Choice, or a Final Test.
Comments
Loading comments…
Sign in to leave a comment.
Practice tips
- ✓Tap play to hear each phrase before you try saying it yourself.
- ✓Notice which options are formal and which are informal before you use them.
- ✓Practice the example sentence, not just the phrase on its own — that's how it's actually used.