Questions about "Entschuldigen"! | Specific language questions | Forum

theverve said:

So , I learned to pronounce "Entschuldigen" by the Byki flashcard program and I thought I got it down pat.  Then I watched the German soap opera "Verbotene Liebe" and now I've gone nuts.

So, in Byki I hear "Entschuldighen Sie"  which they say means "Excuse me".  But on the show I hear "Entschuldigun". Never once does anyone sound like Byki--maybe my computer is screwing up Byki's sound.

Is the "gen" part pronounced more like "ghen" or "gun"?  

"Entschuldigen Sie" and "Entschuldigung" both exist.

I think "Entschuldigung" is the most common form and it can be used regardless of the degree of formality. Grammatically speaking, you're just saying the noun excuse instead of an imperative form. (Translating it to English doesn't help, because both the imperative and noun are simply "excuse").

So, for a start, you can stick with "Entschuldigung".

If you want to fine-tune your excuse, here are some tips (you don't need to mind this at first!):

If you want to excuse for anything of minor importance/or obviously not demanding further explanation, a quick "Entschuldigung" is appropriate. I'd also use this after inadvertently running into a stranger (I mean, chances are… both are in a hurry – what else would you want to explain?).

If you want to show a bit more consideration (for instance, for interrupting someone who was busy doing something else), you can use "Entschuldigen Sie bitte {die Störung}" (formal/Sie) or "Entschuldige bitte {die Störung}" (informal/du). {die Störung} indicates your behaviour you're excusing for – in grammar terms, it's a noun taking the role of an accusative object.

In more serious cases or if you want to underline your sincerity, I advise you to start with "Entschuldigen Sie [mich] bitte…" (formal) or "Entschuldige [mich] bitte…" (informal), give your explanation and finally express your regret ("Es tut mir leid", just a bit informal).

I think there is no fixed rule, but there is a high correlation between using the [mich] and leaving/interrupting/ending a conversation. Keep in mind though, that "mich" cannot be used with an accusative object like {die Störung} above.

The other thing was in every situation on the show the character ONLY says "Entschuldigen" in every situation like when one answers the phone when they have a guest.  Always "Entschuldigen" never with the "Sie"!  Is it correct to just say "Excuse"?  Isn't that incomplete? It would be strange in English to go around saying "Excuse, excuse".  

I consider a mere "Entschuldigen" incorrect and inappropriate. Maybe the characters on the show are using "du" to adress one another, and he said "Entschuldige"?

I thought German is like French where the "la" or "le" has to be included or it's incorrect. 

I don't quite get what you're alluding to. I hope that my explanations were helpful, though.