forgiveness / excuse me
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forgiveness
The act of forgiving; the willingness to no longer hold a mistake, an insult, or a wrongdoing against someone.
Er bat sie um Verzeihung für sein unbedachtes Verhalten.
He asked her for forgiveness for his thoughtless behavior.
excuse me
Used as a polite formula to apologize for a small disturbance or mistake, or to get someone's attention. Synonymous with 'Entschuldigung' (excuse me, sorry).
Verzeihung, könnten Sie mir bitte sagen, wie spät es ist?
Excuse me, could you please tell me what time it is?
The noun 'Verzeihung' (forgiveness, excuse me) is derived directly from the verb 'verzeihen' (to forgive). If you know the verb, you can easily figure out the meaning of the noun.
Ich kann dir diesen Fehler einfach nicht verzeihen.
I simply can't forgive you for this mistake.
When asking for forgiveness, you use the fixed expression 'jemanden um Verzeihung bitten' (to ask someone for forgiveness). The person you are asking is in the accusative.
Er hat seine Freundin um Verzeihung gebeten.
He asked his girlfriend for forgiveness.
When 'Verzeihung' (excuse me) stands alone as an exclamation at the beginning of a sentence, it is a polite apology. Inside a sentence, often with a verb like 'bitten' (to ask), it refers to the act of forgiving.
Verzeihung, ist dieser Platz noch frei?
Excuse me, is this seat still free?
As a short everyday apology, 'Verzeihung' (excuse me) is often perceived as somewhat more formal or polite. It is a classic and always correct formula.
Verzeihung, ich habe Sie nicht verstanden.
Excuse me, I didn't understand you.
apology / excuse
Entschuldigung and Verzeihung can both be used as polite formulas after a minor mistake. Entschuldigung is neutral and mainly asks for understanding, while Verzeihung sounds more like a request for forgiveness and often seems more formal. In many everyday situations, the words are interchangeable.
Nach dem kleinen Stoß sagte sie etwas förmlicher: „Verzeihung!“
After the minor bump, she said, somewhat more formally, “Excuse me!”
Nach dem kleinen Stoß sagte sie sofort: „Entschuldigung!“
After the minor bump, she immediately said, “Sorry!”
