How do you say "I'm sorry." in German?

"I'm sorry." in German is "Das tut mir leid.". This phrase is commonly used in Germany.

🙏

How to Say ‘I'm sorry.’ in German

Q: What does "Das tut mir leid." mean in English?

"Das tut mir leid." means "I'm sorry." in English. Usage tip: [Das tut mir leid] means "I'm sorry," not literally something about sadness. Use it as a fixed phrase when reacting to someone's problem.

Das tut mir leid.

dahs toot meer lite

[dahs toot meer lite]

💬 Usage Tip: [Das tut mir leid] means "I'm sorry," not literally something about sadness. Use it as a fixed phrase when reacting to someone's problem.

Phrase Breakdown

Das

[dahs]

that / this / it

Here 'Das' refers to the bad situation, such as the broken hot water.

Example

Das tut mir leid, dass Sie kein warmes Wasser haben.

I’m sorry that you don’t have hot water.

Tut mir leid

toot meer lite

I’m sorry

Standard expression for sympathy or apology.

Example

Es tut mir leid.

I’m sorry.

Words in this phrase

tut

[toot]

does / causes

Part of the fixed phrase 'Das tut mir leid,' literally 'That does sorrow to me,' meaning 'I’m sorry.'

Example

Das tut mir leid, ich rufe sofort den Klempner an.

I’m sorry, I’ll call the plumber right away.

mir

[meer]

to me

Shows the feeling is experienced by the speaker in the phrase 'Das tut mir leid.'

Example

Das tut mir leid, mir ist das Problem bekannt.

I’m sorry, the problem is known to me.

leid

[lite]

sorry / regrettable

Completes the common apology phrase 'Das tut mir leid.'

Example

Das tut mir leid, das Bad hat heute kein warmes Wasser.

I’m sorry, the bathroom has no hot water today.

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Custom Scenarios

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Get Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

“Berlin bureaucracy requires real German. This app got me from zero to handling my Anmeldung appointment in three weeks. My coworkers couldn’t believe it.”

Emma L., 27, UX Researcher

“Relocated to Munich with my family. The everyday scenarios — grocery shopping, doctor visits, school meetings — are exactly what we needed to settle in.”

Marcus J., 40, Engineer

“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”

Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager