German word

entschuldigen

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛntˈʃʊldɪgn̩/

Meaning

  • verbapologize

Example

Ich entschuldige mich für das Missverständnis.

I apologize for the misunderstanding.

Illustration for entschuldigen (apologize)

More examples

Wir entschuldigen uns für die kurze Verzögerung.

We apologize for the brief delay.

Core concept

Someone places a mistake between two people, admits responsibility, and seeks release from the resulting blame.

Common phrases

  • entschuldigen sich für etwas

    apologize for something

  • entschuldigen sich bei jemandem

    apologize to someone

  • jemanden entschuldigen

    excuse someone

Similar words

sich entschuldigen: A direct apology that acknowledges personal responsibility for a mistake.
Entschuldigung sagen: A short call for attention when passing someone or addressing a shop worker.

Definition in German

jemandem sein Fehlverhalten eingestehen und um Verzeihung bitten; meist reflexiv gebraucht

Word origin

German entschuldigen developed from the compound of ent- and Schuld, so its older sense was to remove or clear a Schuld before developing its apologizing use.

Usage tips

  • Entschuldigung is the related noun and a routine call for attention, whereas a fuller apology commonly uses Ich entschuldige mich and gives the reason with für.

Other meanings

  • excuseverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word