In this workshop, you will practice responding to an apology in German. You will learn to use phrases such as «Schon gut», «Kein Problem», and «Ich weiß das zu schätzen». You will also hear a short dialogue where one person apologizes for being late and the other accepts the apology. By the end, you will be able to take both roles and respond appropriately in similar situations.
Accepting an Apology Simply
When someone apologizes, you can accept it with a short, friendly phrase. «Schon gut» means 'It's okay' or 'Never mind'. It is common in informal to neutral situations. «Kein Problem» means 'No problem' and works in most everyday situations. «Macht nichts» means 'It doesn't matter' or 'Never mind' and is casual and forgiving, often used when the issue is minor. These phrases are easy to say and help keep the conversation smooth. Listen to the recording and repeat each phrase aloud. Pay attention to the pronunciation: «Schon gut» sounds like 'shohn goot', «Kein Problem» like 'kine pro-BLEM', and «Macht nichts» like 'makht nikhs'. Practice saying them until they feel natural.
Showing Appreciation for an Apology
Sometimes you want to acknowledge the apology more warmly. «Ich weiß das zu schätzen» means 'I appreciate that'. It is formal and sincere. You can use it when someone apologizes and you want to show that you value their effort. In the dialogue, after the first acceptance, the person who apologized says «Ich weiß das wirklich zu schätzen», which means 'I really appreciate that'. The word «wirklich» adds emphasis. This phrase is useful in both formal and informal settings when you want to be gracious. Practice saying it: 'ikh vice dahs tsoo SHET-sen'. Then try the longer version: 'ikh vice dahs VEER-klikh tsoo SHET-sen'.
Putting It Together in a Dialogue
In the recorded dialogue, one person says «Entschuldigung, dass ich zu spät bin» ('Sorry that I'm late'). The other responds with «Schon gut, kein Problem» ('It's okay, no problem'). Then the first person says «Ich weiß das wirklich zu schätzen» ('I really appreciate that'). Finally, the second person says «Schwamm drüber. Lass uns anfangen» ('Let's forget about it. Let's start'). This shows a complete exchange: apology, acceptance, appreciation, and moving on. Notice how the phrases work together. You can use similar combinations in your own conversations. Practice the dialogue by taking one role, then the other.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Schon gut.
It's okay. / Never mind.
shohn goot
Kein Problem.
No problem.
kine pro-BLEM
Macht nichts.
It doesn't matter. / Never mind.
makht nikhs
Ich weiß das zu schätzen.
I appreciate that.
ikh vice dahs tsoo SHET-sen
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Entschuldigung, dass ich zu spät bin.
Sorry that I'm late.Schon gut, kein Problem.
It's okay, no problem.Ich weiß das wirklich zu schätzen.
I really appreciate that.Schwamm drüber. Lass uns anfangen.
Let's forget about it. Let's start.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Exchange: Accept an Apology
Imagine a friend arrives late and says «Entschuldigung, dass ich zu spät bin». You want to accept the apology simply.
Your task: Listen to the recording of «Entschuldigung, dass ich zu spät bin». Then respond aloud with «Schon gut, kein Problem». Repeat this exchange three times, alternating roles if you like.
Reply Comprehension: Choose the Right Response
You hear someone apologize with «Entschuldigung, dass ich zu spät bin». You want to show that you appreciate their apology warmly.
Your task: Listen to the apology again. Then choose the best response from these options: «Schon gut», «Kein Problem», «Ich weiß das zu schätzen». Say your chosen response aloud.
Recall and Role-Play: Full Exchange
You will now recall the full dialogue. One person apologizes for being late, the other accepts, the first appreciates, and the second suggests starting.
Your task: Listen to the entire recorded dialogue once. Then, without looking at the text, say the dialogue aloud, taking both roles. Start with the apology «Entschuldigung, dass ich zu spät bin». Then respond as the other person, and continue.
Common questions
What is the difference between «Schon gut» and «Kein Problem»?
«Schon gut» means 'It's okay' or 'Never mind' and is common in informal to neutral situations. «Kein Problem» means 'No problem' and is neutral and widely used in most everyday situations. Both accept an apology, but «Kein Problem» can feel slightly more casual and versatile.
When should I use «Ich weiß das zu schätzen»?
Use «Ich weiß das zu schätzen» when you want to warmly acknowledge an apology and show sincere appreciation. It is formal and sincere, suitable for situations where you want to be gracious, such as when someone has made an effort to apologize.
Sources and further reading
- german: accept apologyChecked September 2026
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