How to Say ‘I'm sorry’ in German
Es tut mir leid
ess toot meer light
[ess toot meer light]
Phrase Breakdown
Es
[ess]
it
The subject pronoun in this apology phrase.
Es tut mir leid, ich bin zu spät.
I'm sorry, I'm too late.
tut
[toot]
does
Here it is part of the fixed expression meaning 'I am sorry.'
Es tut mir leid wegen des Fehlers.
I am sorry about the mistake.
mir
[meer]
to me
This dative pronoun means 'to me' in the expression.
Es tut mir leid, dass ich störe.
I am sorry that I am disturbing you.
leid
[light]
sorrow; sorry
This word conveys regret and completes the apology phrase.
Es tut mir leid, das war mein Fehler.
I am sorry, that was my mistake.
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