How to Say "Excuse Me" in German: Getting Attention Politely
Learn German phrases for politely getting attention, passing by someone, or interrupting in public, and see why they are not the same as apologies.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
German has several ways to say "excuse me," and choosing the right one depends on what you are doing: stopping someone to ask a question, stepping past them in a crowded aisle, or interrupting a conversation. These attention-getting phrases are different from apologies such as "Es tut mir leid," which express regret. In this lesson you will learn the most useful polite expressions, when each one fits, and how to combine them with a short question.
By the end, you can…
- get a stranger's attention politely in German
- say "excuse me" when passing by someone in a public place
- interrupt someone politely to ask a short question
- distinguish attention-getting phrases from apologies in German
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Entschuldigung!
Excuse me!
ent-SHOOL-dee-goong
The all-purpose polite attention-getter. Use it to stop a stranger, ask a question, or begin a request. It is not only an apology.
Entschuldigen Sie bitte.
Excuse me, please.
ent-SHOOL-dee-gun zee BIT-tuh
More formal because of Sie. Good with older strangers, staff, or anyone you address with Sie.
Verzeihung!
Excuse me! / Pardon!
fair-TSY-oong
A slightly softer, somewhat more formal alternative to Entschuldigung, often used when passing by or after a small disturbance.
Darf ich kurz stören?
May I interrupt you briefly?
darf ikh koorts SHTUR-en
Use this when people are already talking and you need their attention. It is more explicit than a simple Entschuldigung.
Entschuldigung, ist dieser Platz noch frei?
Excuse me, is this seat still free?
ent-SHOOL-dee-goong, ist DEE-zer plats nokh FRY
A complete, natural request in a train, café, or waiting room. The question follows the attention-getter.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The basic pattern is an attention-getter followed by a short question or request: Entschuldigung, ist dieser Platz noch frei? (Excuse me, is this seat still free?) or Entschuldigung, wo ist der Bahnhof? (Excuse me, where is the train station?). With strangers you normally use the polite Sie form: Entschuldigen Sie bitte, können Sie mir helfen? (Excuse me please, can you help me?). The phrase alone is enough when you only need to pass.
When to use it
Use Entschuldigung to get attention before a question, and Verzeihung when you are passing closely or after a minor disturbance. Use Darf ich kurz stören? when people are already speaking. If you actually caused harm or inconvenience, add an apology such as Es tut mir leid (I am sorry) or Das tut mir leid. Attention-getting and apologizing can appear together: Entschuldigung, das tut mir leid! (Excuse me, I am sorry!).
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. Bitte setzen Sie sich.
Yes, it is free. Please have a seat.yah, dair ist FRY. BIT-tuh ZET-tsen zee zikhDanke. Entschuldigen Sie, fährt dieser Zug nach Köln?
Thank you. Excuse me, does this train go to Cologne?DAN-kuh. ent-SHOOL-dee-gun zee, fairt DEE-zer tsook nakh KURNNein, Sie müssen in den nächsten Zug umsteigen.
No, you have to change to the next train.nine, zee MUE-sen in dane NAYKS-ten tsook OOM-shty-genA little context goes a long way
In German-speaking countries, strangers are often addressed with Sie, so Entschuldigen Sie bitte is a safe polite choice. Entschuldigung is common in both formal and informal situations, but du forms such as Entschuldigung, kannst du...? are for people you already know well. A brief Entschuldigung while passing is normal and does not require a reply.
One thing to watch for
Using Entschuldigung only as an apology and then saying nothing when you need to stop someone.
Try this instead: Entschuldigung works as an attention-getter before a question: Entschuldigung, wo ist der Bahnhof? If you truly regret something, add an apology: Entschuldigung, das tut mir leid.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You need to ask a stranger for directions. What do you say first?
Show a sample answer
Entschuldigung, wo ist der Bahnhof?
Entschuldigung politely gets attention, and the question follows naturally. Entschuldigen Sie bitte, wo ist der Bahnhof? is also correct and slightly more formal.
2You are squeezing past someone in a narrow aisle. Which short phrase fits?
Show a sample answer
Verzeihung! or Entschuldigung!
Both work when passing. Verzeihung can sound a little softer or more formal, while Entschuldigung is the general everyday choice.
3Two colleagues are talking and you must ask one of them something. What can you say?
Show a sample answer
Darf ich kurz stören?
This explicitly asks permission to interrupt. Entschuldigung, darf ich kurz etwas fragen? is another natural option.
Use Entschuldigung or Verzeihung to get attention, add Sie for politeness with strangers, and save Es tut mir leid for real apologies.
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