German 'Excuse Me': Get Attention, Pass By, or Interrupt Politely
Learn German phrases like Entschuldigung and Verzeihung to get attention, pass someone, or interrupt politely. Includes a dialogue and practice.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
In German, 'excuse me' is not one word but a small set of phrases chosen by situation. Entschuldigung is the all-purpose attention-getter; Verzeihung is more formal; Entschuldigen Sie bitte is polite and explicit. To ask someone to move, use a request like Würden Sie mich bitte vorbeilassen? rather than a literal translation of 'get out of the way'. This lesson teaches beginner-friendly patterns for public spaces, with register notes and a short dialogue.
By the end, you can…
- get someone's attention politely in German using Entschuldigung or Entschuldigen Sie bitte.
- ask someone to let me pass or move aside using Würden Sie mich bitte vorbeilassen? or a similar polite request.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Entschuldigung!
Excuse me!
ent-SHOOL-dee-goong
Standard, neutral attention-getter. Use to stop a stranger, ask a quick question, or begin an interruption. It can also be a brief apology, but here the focus is getting attention.
Entschuldigen Sie bitte.
Excuse me, please.
ent-SHOOL-dee-gen zee BIT-tuh
Polite and slightly more formal. Use with strangers, staff, or anyone you address with Sie. Good before a question.
Verzeihung!
Excuse me! / Pardon!
fair-TSY-oong
More formal or old-fashioned than Entschuldigung. It can sound a bit stiff in casual settings, but it is useful in formal contexts or when you want to be extra polite.
Würden Sie mich bitte vorbeilassen?
Would you please let me pass?
VUER-den zee mikh BIT-tuh for-BYE-las-sen
Polite request to pass by someone. Use when someone is blocking a narrow aisle, doorway, or train exit. It is a full sentence and sounds considerate.
Entschuldigung, ist dieser Platz noch frei?
Excuse me, is this seat still free?
ent-SHOOL-dee-goong, ist DEE-zer PLATS nokh FRY
Common in trains, cafes, and waiting rooms. It combines attention-getting with a specific question. Use dieser Platz for a masculine noun; for a neuter noun like das Bett, say dieses Bett.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
A reliable pattern is Entschuldigung + question. Entschuldigung, wo ist der Bahnhof? (Excuse me, where is the train station?) Entschuldigung, können Sie mir helfen? (Excuse me, can you help me?) For a polite request to pass, use Würden Sie mich bitte vorbeilassen? You can also say Entschuldigung, dürfte ich bitte vorbei? (Excuse me, may I please pass?) These are requests, not commands. Avoid literal translations like Geh aus dem Weg, which sounds rude.
When to use it
Use Entschuldigung when you need attention: asking a stranger for directions, interrupting a shop worker, or squeezing past someone. Use Entschuldigen Sie bitte when you want extra politeness, especially with older strangers or in formal settings. Use Verzeihung in formal or traditional contexts, but not usually with friends. To ask someone to move, use Würden Sie mich bitte vorbeilassen? or Entschuldigung, dürfte ich bitte vorbei? If you accidentally bump someone, Entschuldigung or Oh, entschuldigen Sie bitte works as an apology. In Austria and parts of southern Germany, Grüß Gott can serve as a greeting, but it is not a substitute for excuse me.
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 noch frei. Bitte setzen Sie sich.
Yes, it is still free. Please sit down.yah, dair ist nokh FRY. BIT-tuh ZET-zen zee zikhDanke. Entschuldigen Sie bitte, würden Sie mich kurz vorbeilassen?
Thank you. Excuse me, please, would you let me pass for a moment?DAN-kuh. ent-SHOOL-dee-gen zee BIT-tuh, VUER-den zee mikh koorts for-BYE-las-senNatürlich, ich mache Ihnen Platz.
Of course, I will make room for you.nah-TUER-likh, ikh MAH-khuh EE-nen PLATSA little context goes a long way
German politeness often relies on clear, complete requests rather than softening particles. Entschuldigung is acceptable in most public situations, but using Sie forms with strangers shows respect. In Austria and Switzerland, Entschuldigung is also common; regional greetings like Grüß Gott do not replace it. Direct commands like Geh aus dem Weg can sound aggressive, so use a polite request instead.
One thing to watch for
Using a literal translation like 'Entschuldigung, geh aus dem Weg' to mean 'Excuse me, get out of the way.'
Try this instead: Entschuldigung, geh aus dem Weg sounds like a rude command. Instead, say Entschuldigung, würden Sie mich bitte vorbeilassen? or Entschuldigung, dürfte ich bitte vorbei? These are polite requests and fit public situations.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You are on a crowded train and need to get past someone. What polite German sentence can you use?
Show a sample answer
Entschuldigung, würden Sie mich bitte vorbeilassen?
This uses Entschuldigung to get attention and a polite request with würden + Sie. Entschuldigung, dürfte ich bitte vorbei? is also correct and slightly more formal.
2You want to ask a stranger if the seat next to them is free. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
Entschuldigung, ist dieser Platz noch frei?
This combines attention-getting with a specific question. If the noun is neuter, use dieses instead of dieser, for example: Entschuldigung, ist dieses Bett noch frei?
3Which phrase is more formal: Entschuldigung or Verzeihung?
Show a sample answer
Verzeihung is more formal.
Verzeihung is used in formal or traditional contexts. Entschuldigung is neutral and works in most everyday situations. Both are correct, but they differ in register.
Use Entschuldigung to get attention, Entschuldigen Sie bitte for extra politeness, and Würden Sie mich bitte vorbeilassen? to pass someone. Avoid rude literal commands like Geh aus dem Weg.
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