When someone apologizes in a formal situation, a short, warm reply keeps the conversation moving. In this workshop you will hear a recorded exchange between two speakers: one apologizes for missing an appointment, and the other accepts the apology and suggests finding a new appointment. You will learn what each recorded line means, then practice choosing and producing the right reply.
What the apology sounds like
The first speaker opens with a clear apology. The recorded line «Es tut mir leid, dass ich den Termin verpasst habe. Ich entschuldige mich aufrichtig.» means that the speaker is sorry about missing the appointment and apologizes sincerely. Notice that the apology names the problem directly, so the listener knows exactly what is being apologized for. Your job as the listener is not to solve the problem immediately, but to show that you have heard the apology. A short acknowledgement is enough before you move on to practical matters.
Ways to accept and reassure
There are several recorded ways to respond. The line «Ich weiß Ihre Entschuldigung zu schätzen.» means that you appreciate the other person's apology. The line «Danke für Ihre Entschuldigung.» means that you thank the person for apologizing. The line «Ich nehme Ihre Entschuldigung an.» means that you accept the apology. The line «Schon gut, das kann passieren.» means that it is fine and that this kind of thing can happen. All four are polite, but they do slightly different work: some thank, some accept, and one reassures. In a formal exchange, you can combine a thank-you with acceptance, as in «Danke für Ihre Entschuldigung. Ich weiß das zu schätzen.», which means that you thank the person for the apology and say that you appreciate it.
Moving to the next step
After the apology has been accepted, the conversation can turn to what happens next. The first speaker asks a practical question in «Können wir einen neuen Termin vereinbaren?», which means that they want to arrange a new appointment. The second speaker agrees and closes the loop in «Ja, gerne. Ich nehme Ihre Entschuldigung an. Lassen Sie uns einen neuen Termin finden.», which means that they gladly accept the apology and suggest finding a new appointment. This shows the full shape of a formal apology exchange: apology, acceptance, and a concrete next step. Keep the order: first respond to the apology, then discuss the new appointment.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Ich weiß Ihre Entschuldigung zu schätzen.
I appreciate your apology.
ikh vyse EE-ruh ent-SHOOL-dee-goong tsoo SHET-sen
Danke für Ihre Entschuldigung.
Thank you for your apology.
DAHN-kuh fewr EE-ruh ent-SHOOL-dee-goong
Ich nehme Ihre Entschuldigung an.
I accept your apology.
ikh NAY-muh EE-ruh ent-SHOOL-dee-goong ahn
Schon gut, das kann passieren.
It's fine, that can happen.
shohn goot, dahs kahn pah-SEE-ren
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Es tut mir leid, dass ich den Termin verpasst habe. Ich entschuldige mich aufrichtig.
I'm sorry that I missed the appointment. I sincerely apologize.Danke für Ihre Entschuldigung. Ich weiß das zu schätzen.
Thank you for your apology. I appreciate that.Können wir einen neuen Termin vereinbaren?
Can we arrange a new appointment?Ja, gerne. Ich nehme Ihre Entschuldigung an. Lassen Sie uns einen neuen Termin finden.
Yes, gladly. I accept your apology. Let's find a new appointment.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided apology exchange
Two people are in a formal setting. Speaker A has missed an appointment and apologizes. Speaker B listens and responds. Read the lines in order, using the recordings as your model.
Your task: Read Speaker A's apology aloud: «Es tut mir leid, dass ich den Termin verpasst habe. Ich entschuldige mich aufrichtig.». Then read Speaker B's reply aloud: «Danke für Ihre Entschuldigung. Ich weiß das zu schätzen.». Then read Speaker A's question aloud: «Können wir einen neuen Termin vereinbaren?». Finally read Speaker B's closing reply aloud: «Ja, gerne. Ich nehme Ihre Entschuldigung an. Lassen Sie uns einen neuen Termin finden.». After reading, say which line accepts the apology and which line proposes a new appointment.
Choose the right reply
Speaker A has just said «Es tut mir leid, dass ich den Termin verpasst habe. Ich entschuldige mich aufrichtig.», apologizing for missing an appointment. You are Speaker B and want to respond politely in a formal way.
Your task: Choose the best reply from these recorded options: «Ich weiß Ihre Entschuldigung zu schätzen.», «Danke für Ihre Entschuldigung.», «Ich nehme Ihre Entschuldigung an.», or «Schon gut, das kann passieren.». Then choose the best follow-up question from «Können wir einen neuen Termin vereinbaren?» or the closing reply «Ja, gerne. Ich nehme Ihre Entschuldigung an. Lassen Sie uns einen neuen Termin finden.». Say your choices aloud and explain in English why each one fits.
Recall the exchange with correct roles
Cover the recordings. Imagine the same formal scene: one person apologizes for missing an appointment, and the other accepts and arranges a new one. You will now recall the lines from memory.
Your task: Say the apology line from memory. Then say an acceptance line from memory. Then ask about a new appointment from memory. Finally give the closing reply that agrees and suggests finding a new appointment. After you speak, uncover the recordings and compare.
Common questions
What is the difference between «Ich weiß Ihre Entschuldigung zu schätzen.», «Danke für Ihre Entschuldigung.», and «Ich nehme Ihre Entschuldigung an.»?
«Ich weiß Ihre Entschuldigung zu schätzen.» means that you appreciate the apology. «Danke für Ihre Entschuldigung.» means that you thank the person for apologizing. «Ich nehme Ihre Entschuldigung an.» means that you accept the apology. All three are polite; «Danke für Ihre Entschuldigung.» and «Ich nehme Ihre Entschuldigung an.» are especially clear in a formal exchange, and «Ich weiß Ihre Entschuldigung zu schätzen.» adds a warm note of appreciation.
Can I use «Schon gut, das kann passieren.» in a formal apology?
«Schon gut, das kann passieren.» means that it is fine and that this kind of thing can happen. It is a reassuring reply, but it is less formal than «Danke für Ihre Entschuldigung.» or «Ich nehme Ihre Entschuldigung an.». In a formal setting, you can still use it after a clear acceptance, or choose «Danke für Ihre Entschuldigung. Ich weiß das zu schätzen.», which thanks the person and says that you appreciate the apology.
Sources and further reading
- german: accepting formal apologiesChecked September 2026
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