How to Say ‘I'm sorry.’ in German
Das tut mir leid.
dahs toot meer lyte
[dahs toot meer lyte]
💬 Usage Tip: A standard apology phrase. Literally: 'That does sorrow to me,' but just think 'I'm sorry.'
🇩🇪 In Germany: Hotel staff in Germany often use this phrase to acknowledge a problem before offering a solution.
Phrase Breakdown
Das tut mir
dahs toot meer
That does me
This is part of the fixed expression 'Das tut mir leid' used to express sympathy or apology.
Das tut mir leid.
I'm sorry.
Words in this phrase
Das
[dahs]
that / it
Part of the common expression 'Das tut mir leid.' meaning 'I'm sorry.'
Das tut mir leid.
I'm sorry.
tut
[toot]
does
From 'tun'; used in this set phrase rather than translated word-for-word.
Das tut mir leid.
I'm sorry.
mir
[meer]
to me / me
Dative pronoun in the phrase 'Das tut mir leid.'
Das tut mir leid.
I'm sorry.
leid
[lyte]
sorry / regret
Used in the fixed phrase to express apology or sympathy.
Das tut mir leid.
I'm sorry.
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