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How to Say ‘Sorry?’ in German

Wie bitte?

vee BIT-teh

[vee BIT-teh]

🇩🇪 In Germany: This is the polite way to ask someone to repeat themselves. A bare Was? "What?" can sound blunt with strangers.

Phrase Breakdown

Wie

[vee]

pardon (in 'Wie bitte?')

Used with 'bitte' to ask someone to repeat something you didn't hear.

Example

Wie bitte? Es ist so laut hier.

Pardon? It's so loud here.

bitte

[BIT-teh]

pardon (in 'Wie bitte?')

Together with 'wie' it forms a polite request to repeat.

Example

Wie bitte? Ich habe dich nicht gehört.

Sorry? I didn't hear you.

Guides for German learners

Duolingo vs Pimsleur: Tapping on a Screen or Talking Out Loud?Duolingo vs Pimsleur: five minutes of tapping versus thirty minutes of speaking. What each is good at, what each costs, and which to pick for your goal.

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