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How to Say ‘Oh, I didn't know that, I'm sorry.’ in German

Oh, das wusste ich nicht, tut mir leid.

oh dahs vuhs-te ikh nicht toot meer lite

[oh dahs vuhs-te ikh nicht toot meer lite]

Phrase Breakdown

Oh, das wusste ich nicht,

oh dahs vuhs-te ikh nicht

Oh, I didn't know that,

'Oh' shows surprise. Pause briefly at the comma.

Example

Oh, das wusste ich nicht!

Oh, I didn't know that!

Words in this phrase

[oh]

An exclamation showing surprise, sympathy, or reaction.

Example

Oh, das wusste ich nicht.

Oh, I didn't know that.

das

[dahs]

that / it

Can refer to a thing, item, or dish in front of you.

Example

Was ist das? Das Wort das can mean that or it.

What is that? The word das can mean that or it.

wusste

[vuhs-te]

knew

Past of 'know', to be aware of something.

Example

Ich wusste die Antwort.

I knew the answer.

ich

[ikh]

The pronoun 'ich' in nominative form.

Example

Ich bin da.

I am here.

nicht

[nicht]

not

Used to negate a sentence.

Example

Dieses Angebot gibt's nicht mehr.

This offer no longer exists.

tut mir leid.

toot meer lite

I'm sorry.

A standard apology. Say it with a falling tone.

Example

Das tut mir leid.

I'm sorry about that.

Words in this phrase

tut

[toot]

does

Acts as a specified outcome.

Example

Das tut uns leid.

We are sorry about that.

mir

[meer]

to me

Dative pronoun used to show that something matters or happens to the speaker.

Example

Mir ist eine offene Kommunikation besonders wichtig.

Open communication is especially important to me.

leid

[lite]

sorry

Express regret or Sympathy.

Example

Es tut mir leid, dass ich zu spät bin.

I'm sorry that I'm late.

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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