German for Public Transport: Polite Phrases for Shared Spaces
Learn polite German phrases for buses, trains, and trams: asking to sit, requesting someone move, and apologizing when you need to get past.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
On German buses, trains, and trams, a few polite phrases make shared spaces comfortable. This lesson teaches you how to ask to sit down, request that someone move a bag, apologize when you need to get past, and respond politely. You will practice the formal Sie and informal du, learn the difference between Entschuldigung and Verzeihung, and use modal verbs like dürfen and können to sound natural. All examples are for public transport only.
By the end, you can…
- ask politely whether I may sit in a specific seat on a bus or train.
- ask someone to move a bag or backpack from a seat.
- apologize and ask someone to let me pass in a crowded aisle.
- respond politely when someone asks me to move or sit down.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Entschuldigung, ist dieser Platz noch frei?
Excuse me, is this seat still free?
ent-SHOOL-dee-goong, ist DEE-zer PLATS nokh FRY
Standard and polite. Use on buses, trains, and trams when you want to sit down. Works with strangers of any age.
Entschuldigung, darf ich mich hier hinsetzen?
Excuse me, may I sit here?
ent-SHOOL-dee-goong, darf ikh mikh heer HIN-zet-sen
Very polite and slightly formal. Use with older passengers or in quiet compartments. The reflexive mich is required.
Entschuldigen Sie, können Sie bitte Ihre Tasche wegnehmen?
Excuse me, could you please move your bag?
ent-SHOOL-dee-gun zee, KUR-nen zee BIT-tuh EE-ruh TASH-uh VEK-nay-men
Formal Sie. Use when a bag blocks a seat. Bitte softens the request. In the south, people often say Täschchen for a small bag.
Verzeihung, darf ich mal vorbei?
Excuse me, may I get past?
fer-TSY-oong, darf ikh mahl for-BY
Verzeihung is slightly more formal than Entschuldigung. Use in a crowded aisle when you need to pass. Mal makes it sound casual and friendly.
Ja, klar, setzen Sie sich.
Yes, of course, have a seat.
yah, klahr, ZET-sen zee zikh
A friendly response to someone asking to sit. Use Sie with strangers. With friends, say Setz dich. In Austria, people often say Setzen Sie sich her.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To ask permission politely, use Entschuldigung or Verzeihung + darf ich ...? The modal verb dürfen means 'may' or 'be allowed to'. Examples: Entschuldigung, darf ich hier sitzen? (Excuse me, may I sit here?) and Verzeihung, darf ich mal vorbei? (Excuse me, may I get past?). For asking someone else to do something, use können Sie bitte ...? Example: Können Sie bitte Ihre Tasche wegnehmen? (Could you please move your bag?) The word bitte is essential for politeness. In informal situations with friends, use darf ich ...? with du: Darf ich mich zu dir setzen? (May I sit with you?)
When to use it
Use Entschuldigung when you bump into someone, need to interrupt, or ask a quick question. Use Verzeihung when you want to be more formal, for example with older passengers or in a quiet train compartment. On public transport, it is normal to ask before sitting next to someone if seats are free. If a seat is clearly free, you can simply sit down, but a brief Entschuldigung is always appreciated. When you need to get off a crowded bus or tram, say Entschuldigung, ich muss raus (Excuse me, I need to get out) or Verzeihung, darf ich mal vorbei? In southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, people often say Grüß Gott or Grüezi instead of Hallo, but Entschuldigung remains standard everywhere.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Entschuldigung, ist dieser Platz noch frei?
Excuse me, is this seat still free?ent-SHOOL-dee-goong, ist DEE-zer PLATS nokh FRYJa, der ist frei. Setzen Sie sich ruhig.
Yes, it's free. Go ahead and sit down.yah, dair ist FRY. ZET-sen zee zikh ROO-ikhDanke. Entschuldigen Sie, können Sie bitte Ihre Tasche wegnehmen?
Thank you. Excuse me, could you please move your bag?DAN-kuh. ent-SHOOL-dee-gun zee, KUR-nen zee BIT-tuh EE-ruh TASH-uh VEK-nay-menOh, natürlich. Verzeihung, ich habe nicht gemerkt, dass sie im Weg war.
Oh, of course. Sorry, I didn't notice it was in the way.oh, nah-TUR-likh. fer-TSY-oong, ikh HAH-buh nikht guh-MERKT, das zee im VAY vahrA little context goes a long way
In German-speaking countries, public transport is generally quiet and orderly. A brief Entschuldigung is expected when you need to pass or sit close to someone. Using Sie with strangers shows respect, especially with older people. In Austria and parts of southern Germany, you may hear Verzeihung more often, and in Switzerland, Entschuldigung is standard. Tipping a hat or nodding is not common; a simple phrase is enough.
One thing to watch for
Saying Darf ich sitzen? without a reflexive pronoun or location.
Try this instead: Use Darf ich mich hier hinsetzen? or Darf ich hier sitzen? The verb sich hinsetzen is reflexive and needs mich. Example: Entschuldigung, darf ich mich hier hinsetzen? Without mich, the sentence sounds incomplete.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you politely ask if a seat is free on a train?
Show a sample answer
Entschuldigung, ist dieser Platz noch frei?
This is the standard polite question. You could also say Entschuldigung, ist hier noch frei? Both are correct.
2A passenger's backpack is on the seat next to them. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
Entschuldigen Sie, können Sie bitte Ihre Tasche wegnehmen?
This uses the formal Sie and bitte. With a friend, you could say Kannst du bitte deine Tasche wegnehmen? Both are polite in context.
3You need to get off a crowded tram. What do you say to the person in front of you?
Show a sample answer
Verzeihung, darf ich mal vorbei?
This is polite and clear. Entschuldigung, darf ich mal vorbei? is equally fine. Mal makes it sound less demanding.
On German public transport, a quick Entschuldigung or Verzeihung plus a polite question with dürfen or können will get you far. Always use Sie with strangers, and remember bitte for requests.
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