Answers
Dec 01, 2011 - 08:29 PM
Verzeihung is much more formal than Entschuldigung in the streets - but I hear it used (Verzeihung) when you move through a crowd and bump into someone by accident. Think of Verzeihung as "I beg your pardon." However, you could still use Entschuldigung. Entschuldigen Sie is the verb form, as opposed to Entschuldigung itself.
Es tut mir leid is used when you feel bad about something b/c you feel the pity, etc. Your examples above are spot on. If you really feel bad through in a "sehr" as in "Es tut mir sehr leid." It is slightly different than a formal apology like Entschuldigung.
You can also use the following in your arsenal of phrases:
1. Um Entschuligung bitte!
2. Verzeihen Sie!
3. Bitte mich zu entschuldigen (to be excused from something)
Es tut mir leid is used when you feel bad about something b/c you feel the pity, etc. Your examples above are spot on. If you really feel bad through in a "sehr" as in "Es tut mir sehr leid." It is slightly different than a formal apology like Entschuldigung.
You can also use the following in your arsenal of phrases:
1. Um Entschuligung bitte!
2. Verzeihen Sie!
3. Bitte mich zu entschuldigen (to be excused from something)
Dec 02, 2011 - 01:50 PM
This subject got me interested because I'm a perfectionist and want to do things right and not feel self conscious when I speak. So, I showed the examples to my girlfriend who is from Bremen, Germany and here was her feedback.
Use: Es tut mir leid for when you're being apologetic, sorry.
Maybe Use: Verzeihen Sie when moving trhough crowds though it sounds very text book and would stick with just entschuldigung.
Skip Um Endschuldigung bitte as it's too much from the 1950s and not used anymore.
Skip Bitte mich zu entschuldigen as it's too awkard and not even how it's said (Ich bitten um Endschuldigung)
Hope that helps. Use what you like. Germans love it when other people attempt to learn and use their language.
p.s. please don't take this as me trying to be a jerk. I just like to help if I can.
Use: Es tut mir leid for when you're being apologetic, sorry.
Maybe Use: Verzeihen Sie when moving trhough crowds though it sounds very text book and would stick with just entschuldigung.
Skip Um Endschuldigung bitte as it's too much from the 1950s and not used anymore.
Skip Bitte mich zu entschuldigen as it's too awkard and not even how it's said (Ich bitten um Endschuldigung)
Hope that helps. Use what you like. Germans love it when other people attempt to learn and use their language.
p.s. please don't take this as me trying to be a jerk. I just like to help if I can.
Dec 02, 2011 - 11:42 PM
What about Leidtun? If you have time, please ask your girlfriend if this is used anymore - I think it may only be in written German, etc. Also, I have been to Bremen (schönen Stadt) and did their Beck's Brewery Tour in German (on the weekends they offer it in English). Love the Schnorr-Viertel, and they do a fantastic job during Weihnacten (Weihnacht's Markt und Gluhwein!).