sich entschuldigen
to apologize
To ask for forgiveness for a mistake, an inconvenience, or rude behavior.
EXAMPLE
Ich möchte mich für meine späte Antwort entschuldigen.
I would like to apologize for my late reply.
entschuldigen
to apologize / excuse
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Meanings
jemanden entschuldigen
to excuse someone
To justify or explain a person's absence so that they do not suffer any disadvantages.
EXAMPLE
Die Lehrerin hat den kranken Schüler für den heutigen Tag entschuldigt.
The teacher excused the sick student for today.
etwas entschuldigen
to excuse something
To present a mistake or omission as not so serious or as understandable.
EXAMPLE
Seine Unerfahrenheit entschuldigt sein ungeschicktes Vorgehen nur teilweise.
His inexperience only partly excuses his clumsy approach.
Entschuldigen Sie
Excuse me
A polite phrase used to get attention, interrupt someone, or ask for space.
EXAMPLE
Entschuldigen Sie, können Sie mir sagen, wie spät es ist?
Excuse me, can you tell me what time it is?
Usage tips
Word structure
The verb is made up of 'ent-' and 'Schuld' (guilt/fault). The prefix 'ent-' often means 'to take away' or 'to remove.' So 'entschuldigen' (to apologize/excuse) literally means to take the guilt or blame away from someone.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du mein Fehlen bei der Sitzung bitte entschuldigen?
Can you please excuse my absence from the meeting?
Grammatical patterns
The meaning changes depending on the object: 'sich entschuldigen' (reflexive) means to ask for forgiveness. 'Jemanden entschuldigen' (accusative object: person) means to justify an absence. 'Etwas entschuldigen' (accusative object: thing) means to justify a mistake.
EXAMPLE
Er entschuldigt sich für sein Verhalten.
He apologizes for his behavior.
Correct preposition
When apologizing for something, you use the preposition 'für' followed by the accusative. To apologize to a person, use 'bei' with the dative.
EXAMPLE
Ich entschuldige mich für die Verspätung.
I apologize for the delay.
Polite phrase
The imperative form 'Entschuldigen Sie' (Excuse me; formal) or 'Entschuldige' (Excuse me/Sorry; informal) is a fixed expression. It is used to politely ask a question, interrupt someone, or apologize for something small.
EXAMPLE
Entschuldigen Sie, ist dieser Platz noch frei?
Excuse me, is this seat still free?
Compare with
entschuldigen vs rechtfertigen
to justify
Someone who sich entschuldigt asks for forgiveness after making a mistake or being rude. Someone who sich rechtfertigt, by contrast, defends their own behavior and explains the reasons for it, usually in response to criticism. Choose entschuldigen for asking forgiveness and rechtfertigen for defending oneself.
entschuldigen
Nach seiner Verspätung entschuldigte er sich bei seiner Kollegin.
After being late, he apologized to his colleague.
rechtfertigen
Nach der Kritik rechtfertigte er seine Verspätung mit einem Unfall auf der Straße.
After the criticism, he justified his lateness by explaining that there had been an accident on the road.
In real life
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