German Phrase
Tut mir leid.
Meaning
This phrase is the most common way to express apology or regret in German. It literally translates to 'It does me sorrow,' indicating that you feel bad about a situation or a mistake you made. It is versatile and can be used for minor mishaps or to express genuine sympathy.
When to use
Use this when you have made a mistake, arrived late, or need to decline an invitation politely. It is also the standard phrase for expressing condolences or sympathy when someone shares bad news.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tutmirleid
Tun (tut)
This is the third-person singular of 'tun' (to do/make). The subject 'es' (it) is often dropped in spoken German but is grammatically implied.
Mir (Dative)
The pronoun 'mir' is the dative form of 'ich'. In this construction, the sorrow is being 'done' to you, which requires the dative case.
leid tun
This is a fixed verbal expression. In modern German spelling, 'leid' is written in lowercase here because it functions as part of the verb phrase.
🗨In Conversation
Hast du meine E-Mail nicht beantwortet?
Did you not answer my email?
Oh, tut mir leid. Ich hatte viel zu tun.
Oh, I'm sorry. I had a lot to do.
✕Common Mistakes
Ich bin leid.
English speakers often try to translate 'I am sorry' literally, but German uses an impersonal construction where 'it' (the situation) does sorrow to 'me'.
Tut mich leid.
The verb phrase 'leid tun' always requires the dative case (mir) rather than the accusative case (mich).
↔Alternatives
Entschuldigung
Excuse me / Sorry
Verzeihung
Pardon / Forgiveness
Es tut mir schrecklich leid
I am terribly sorry
Cultural Tip
Germans value directness, so a simple and honest 'Tut mir leid' is usually better than a long-winded explanation. In very formal settings or when physically bumping into someone, 'Entschuldigung' is often the more common first reaction.