🙏

How to Say ‘I'm sorry.’ in German

Das tut mir leid.

dahs toot meer lite

[dahs toot meer lite]

💬 Usage Tip: This expresses sympathy, not blame. Your landlord isn't admitting fault, just saying "that's a shame".

Phrase Breakdown

Das tut

dahs toot

That does

This is the start of a fixed expression. 'Tut' has a long 'u' sound.

Example

Das tut weh.

That hurts.

Words in this phrase

Das

[dahs]

that; it

Refers back to a previous statement or situation, often translated as 'that' or 'it.'

Example

Das hat einen positiven Eindruck hinterlassen.

That left a positive impression.

tut

[toot]

does

Form of 'tun' (to do); with 'leid' it expresses regret.

Example

Das tut weh.

That hurts.

mir leid.

meer lite

to me sorrow (I'm sorry)

'Leid tun' means 'to be sorry'. 'Mir' is the dative of 'ich'. 'Leid' rhymes with 'side'.

Example

Es tut mir leid.

I'm sorry.

Words in this phrase

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, regret

Used in 'leid tun' to express being sorry.

Example

Das tut uns leid.

We are sorry about that.

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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