German word

leidtun

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈlaɪ̯ttuːn/

Meaning

  • verbbe sorry

Example

Es tut mir leid.

I'm sorry.

Illustration for leidtun (be sorry)

More examples

Der Hund tut dem Kind leid.

The dog feels sorry for the child.

Core concept

A speaker acknowledges painful circumstances and expresses an emotional response rather than merely stating a fact.

Common phrases

  • Es tut mir leid

    I am sorry

  • jemandem leidtun

    feel sorry for ___

Similar words

entschuldigen: A spoken or written request for forgiveness after causing offense.
verzeihen: Forgiving someone for a mistake or offense.
mitfühlen: Showing understanding and sympathy for another person's feelings.
bedauern: Regretting an event or a known fact.

Definition in German

Mitleid oder Bedauern empfinden und dieses Gefühl gegenüber einer Person äußern.

Word origin

The expression arose from the Germanic noun Leid, suffering or sorrow, combined with the common verb tun, do, in an impersonal construction.

Usage tips

  • Es tut mir leid can respond to bad news as well as apologize, whereas Ich entschuldige mich explicitly presents an apology.

Other meanings

  • regret ___verb
  • pity ___verb
  • sympathize with ___verb

Opposites

Word lists with this word