German Conversation · Level 19
90 words
German word
Verzeihung
Pronunciation
IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈtsaɪ̯ʊŋ/
Meaning
- feminine nounexcuse me
Example
Verzeihung, können Sie mir den Weg zum Bahnhof zeigen?
Excuse me, could you show me the way to the train station?
More examples
Er bat um Verzeihung, nachdem er den Fehler eingestanden hatte.
He sought forgiveness after admitting the mistake.
Core concept
A polite request for room to continue after a lapse, carrying both acknowledgment and a possibility of forgiveness.
Common phrases
um Verzeihung bitten
seek forgiveness
Verzeihung aussprechen
offer an apology
Verzeihung annehmen
receive forgiveness
Similar words
Entschuldigung: A general, polite way to apologize to someone.
Pardon: A polite request to repeat something that was not heard clearly.
Sorry: A casual apology in everyday speech.
Definition in German
Bezeichnet den Ausdruck eines kurzen Entschuldigens oder eines höflichen ‚Pardon‘, oft etwas formeller und zurückhaltender als Entschuldigung.
Word origin
Verzeihung is the -ung noun formed from verzeihen, the German verb associated with forgiving or excusing a person for an offense.
Usage tips
- As a standalone question, 'Verzeihung?' can politely indicate that a remark was not heard and invite the speaker to repeat it.