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.
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' are close in meaning when you apologize for a small mistake or interruption. In short polite situations, you can say both, for example when you bump into someone or want to ask a question. However, 'Verzeihung' can also mean the act of forgiveness: someone no longer holds another person's mistake against them. 'Entschuldigung' more strongly emphasizes expressing regret. Learners may confuse the words because 'Verzeihung!' works as a formula in a similar way to 'Entschuldigung!' For small interruptions, both are possible; for real forgiveness, 'Verzeihung' is more precise.
Im Bus sagte Frau Neumann leise: „Verzeihung, darf ich bitte vorbei?“
On the bus, Ms. Neumann said quietly, "Excuse me, may I please get past?"
Meine Nachbarin nahm die Entschuldigung nach dem lauten Abend freundlich an.
My neighbor kindly accepted the apology after the loud evening.