German for Leaving the Table Politely: Excuse Yourself and Thank Your Host
Learn German phrases to briefly excuse yourself during a meal and to thank someone at the end, with pronunciation and polite register notes.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
In German-speaking countries, leaving the table briefly or finishing a meal has its own small set of polite phrases. This lesson teaches you exactly what to say when you need to step away for a moment and how to thank someone for the meal at the end. You will learn the standard phrases, when to use du or Sie, and how to sound natural without over-apologizing.
By the end, you can…
- politely excuse myself for a moment during a meal.
- thank someone for a meal at the end in German.
- respond appropriately when someone excuses themselves or thanks me.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Entschuldigung, ich muss kurz weg.
Excuse me, I have to step away for a moment.
ent-SHOOL-dee-goong, ikh moos koorts vek
Neutral and widely understood; works with both du and Sie. Use when you leave the table briefly.
Entschuldigen Sie mich bitte kurz.
Please excuse me for a moment.
ent-SHOOL-dee-gun zee mikh BIT-tuh koorts
Formal, uses Sie. Good with hosts, older people, or in a restaurant with strangers.
Ich bin gleich wieder da.
I'll be right back.
ikh bin glykh VEE-der dah
Often added after excusing yourself; reassures others that you are returning soon.
Danke für das Essen.
Thank you for the meal.
DAN-kuh fewr das ES-sen
Standard thanks at the end of a meal, especially when someone cooked for you.
Das war sehr lecker.
That was very tasty.
das var zair LEK-ker
A warm compliment after eating; commonly used with friends and family.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
A simple pattern is Entschuldigung plus a short reason or request: Entschuldigung, ich muss kurz weg. (Excuse me, I have to step away for a moment.) For formal situations, use Entschuldigen Sie mich bitte kurz. (Please excuse me for a moment.) You can also say Ich bin gleich wieder da. (I'll be right back.) to show you are returning. At the end, Danke für das Essen. (Thank you for the meal.) or Das war sehr lecker. (That was very tasty.) works well.
When to use it
Use Entschuldigung, ich muss kurz weg. when you leave the table briefly, for example to use the bathroom or take a call. Use Entschuldigen Sie mich bitte kurz. with people you address as Sie, such as a boss or your host's parents. Say Danke für das Essen. when the meal is finished and you want to thank the person who provided it. If you are the host, you can reply Gern geschehen. (You're welcome.) or Bitte sehr. (You're welcome.)
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Entschuldigung, ich muss kurz weg. Ich bin gleich wieder da.
Excuse me, I have to step away for a moment. I'll be right back.ent-SHOOL-dee-goong, ikh moos koorts vek. ikh bin glykh VEE-der dahJa, klar. Kein Problem.
Yes, of course. No problem.yah, klahr. kyn pro-BLAYMSo, ich bin wieder da. Danke für das Essen, das war sehr lecker.
So, I'm back. Thank you for the meal, that was very tasty.zoh, ikh bin VEE-der dah. DAN-kuh fewr das ES-sen, das var zair LEK-kerGern geschehen. Freut mich, dass es dir geschmeckt hat.
You're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it.gairn guh-SHAY-en. froyt mikh, das es deer guh-SHMEKT hatA little context goes a long way
In German-speaking countries, politeness often comes from clarity rather than long apologies. A short Entschuldigung plus Ich bin gleich wieder da. is usually enough. Use Sie with people you do not know well or who are older; use du with friends, family, and often colleagues. At the end of a meal, Danke für das Essen. is common, and a compliment like Das war sehr lecker. is welcome. In Austria and parts of southern Germany, you may also hear Danke, es war sehr gut. (Thank you, it was very good.)
One thing to watch for
Using Entschuldigung alone and walking away, or saying Ich gehe jetzt. (I'm going now.) when you only mean a short break.
Try this instead: Add a short phrase to show you are coming back: Entschuldigung, ich muss kurz weg. Ich bin gleich wieder da. (Excuse me, I have to step away for a moment. I'll be right back.) This sounds polite and clear.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You are at a formal dinner and need to leave the table briefly. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
Entschuldigen Sie mich bitte kurz.
This uses the formal Sie and bitte, which fits a formal setting. Entschuldigung, ich muss kurz weg. is also acceptable if the tone is relaxed.
2The meal is over and your friend cooked for you. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
Danke für das Essen. Das war sehr lecker.
Danke für das Essen thanks the host, and Das war sehr lecker. adds a warm compliment. Danke, es war sehr gut. is another valid option.
3Someone says Entschuldigung, ich muss kurz weg. How can you reply?
Show a sample answer
Ja, klar. Kein Problem.
This means Yes, of course. No problem. and is friendly and natural. Gerne. or Alles gut. also work in informal situations.
Use Entschuldigung, ich muss kurz weg. for a short break, and Danke für das Essen. to thank your host at the end. Keep it short, clear, and friendly.
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