How to Get Someone's Attention Politely in German: Entschuldigung, Verzeihung and More
Learn German phrases for politely getting attention in public or interrupting a conversation, including Entschuldigung, Verzeihung, Entschuldigen Sie and regional variants.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
In German-speaking countries, getting a stranger's attention politely usually starts with one word: Entschuldigung. This lesson teaches you which phrases to use in shops, on trains, at information desks and in conversations, and how formality changes your choice. You will also learn regional differences, especially between Germany and Austria, and the difference between getting attention and apologizing for a mistake.
By the end, you can…
- politely get a stranger's attention in a shop, station or restaurant.
- interrupt a conversation politely using formal and informal German.
- choose between Entschuldigung, Verzeihung and regional alternatives.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Entschuldigung!
Excuse me!
ent-SHOOL-dee-goong
The standard, safe choice for getting attention from a stranger anywhere in the German-speaking world. It works in shops, on trains and at information desks.
Entschuldigen Sie bitte!
Excuse me, please!
ent-SHOOL-dee-gun zee BIT-tuh
More formal and slightly more polite. Use it with older people, officials or when you need to interrupt someone who is busy.
Verzeihung!
Pardon me! / Excuse me!
fair-TSY-oong
A polite alternative to Entschuldigung, common in Germany and Austria. It can sound slightly more formal or old-fashioned in some regions.
Entschuldige bitte!
Excuse me, please! (informal)
ent-SHOOL-dee-guh BIT-tuh
Use with friends, family, classmates or people you already address with du. Do not use it with strangers unless they are clearly young and the setting is casual.
Entschuldigung, darf ich Sie kurz etwas fragen?
Excuse me, may I ask you something quickly?
ent-SHOOL-dee-goong, darf ikh zee koorts ET-vas FRAH-gun
A complete, polite opener for asking a stranger for directions or information. The word kurz makes the request feel less intrusive.
Grüß Gott, entschuldigen Sie!
Hello, excuse me! (Austria and southern Germany)
grooss got, ent-SHOOL-dee-gun zee
In Austria and much of Bavaria, Grüß Gott is a normal polite greeting. Combining it with Entschuldigen Sie is natural when approaching someone.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is Entschuldigung plus a short request. Entschuldigung alone gets attention; adding a question makes your purpose clear. For example: Entschuldigung, wo ist der Bahnhof? (Excuse me, where is the train station?) or Entschuldigung, ist dieser Platz frei? (Excuse me, is this seat free?). With formal Sie, use Entschuldigen Sie bitte. With informal du, use Entschuldige bitte. The verb entschuldigen literally relates to excusing, but in this function it is simply a polite attention-getter.
When to use it
Use Entschuldigung when you approach a stranger, a shop worker or someone whose attention you need. Use Entschuldigen Sie bitte when the situation is formal, the person is older, or you are interrupting someone who is clearly busy. Use Entschuldige bitte only with people you already know well. In Austria and southern Germany, Verzeihung and Grüß Gott are also common. If you are already in a conversation and want to add something, Entschuldigung, darf ich kurz etwas sagen? (Excuse me, may I say something briefly?) works well.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Entschuldigung, entschuldigen Sie bitte!
Excuse me, excuse me please!ent-SHOOL-dee-goong, ent-SHOOL-dee-gun zee BIT-tuhJa, bitte? Was kann ich für Sie tun?
Yes, please? What can I do for you?yah, BIT-tuh? vas kan ikh fewr zee toonEntschuldigung, wo ist der Hauptbahnhof?
Excuse me, where is the main train station?ent-SHOOL-dee-goong, voh ist dair HOWPT-bahn-hohfGehen Sie geradeaus und dann links.
Go straight ahead and then left.GAY-en zee guh-RAH-duh-ows oont dan linksA little context goes a long way
In German-speaking countries, strangers often expect a brief Entschuldigung before a question, and skipping it can seem abrupt. Formality matters: Sie is the default with strangers, while du is for friends, family, students and some casual settings. In Austria, Grüß Gott is a standard polite greeting; in northern Germany, Guten Tag or Hallo is more common. Verzeihung is understood everywhere but sounds more formal in some regions.
One thing to watch for
Using Entschuldigung to apologize for a real mistake, such as arriving late or bumping into someone.
Try this instead: Entschuldigung can get attention, but for a real apology German often uses Es tut mir leid (I am sorry) or Entschuldigung, das war mein Fehler (Excuse me, that was my mistake). For example, if you bump into someone, say Entschuldigung! or Es tut mir leid! If you need to interrupt, say Entschuldigung, darf ich kurz etwas fragen?
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You need to ask a stranger in Berlin for directions. Which phrase is the safest polite opener?
Show a sample answer
Entschuldigung, darf ich Sie kurz etwas fragen?
This works because it gets attention and explains your purpose politely. Entschuldigen Sie bitte is also correct, especially in formal situations.
2You want to interrupt a friend during a casual conversation. Which form should you use?
Show a sample answer
Entschuldige bitte, darf ich kurz etwas sagen?
Entschuldige is the informal du-form, suitable for friends. Entschuldigen Sie would be too formal with a close friend.
3In Vienna, you approach an older person in a shop. Which greeting and attention phrase fit well?
Show a sample answer
Grüß Gott, entschuldigen Sie bitte!
Grüß Gott is a common polite greeting in Austria, and Entschuldigen Sie bitte matches the formal situation. Entschuldigung alone would also be acceptable.
Start with Entschuldigung for almost any stranger, switch to Entschuldigen Sie bitte for formal situations, and use Entschuldige bitte only with people you know well.
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