German · Emotions & Descriptions
"I'm sorry to hear that" in German: das tut mir leid zu hören
das tut mir leid zu hören
I'm sorry to hear that in German is das tut mir leid zu hören. Shorter empathy: Das tut mir leid. Keep voice soft and brief.
Job loss news
Echt? Das tut mir leid zu hören.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce das tut mir leid zu hören
Say it
dass toot meer lite tsoo HUR-en
/das tuːt miːɐ̯ laɪ̯t t͡suː ˈhøːʁən/
dass toot meer lite tsoo HUR-en. Leid like light; hören with ö.
"I'm sorry to hear that" in German: quick reference
| German | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| das tut mir leid zu hören | I'm sorry to hear that Core empathy. | Core empathy. |
| das tut mir leid | I'm sorry Shorter. | Shorter. |
| oh nein, wie schade | oh no, what a shame Mild bad news. | Mild bad news. |
| gute Besserung | get well soon If illness. | If illness. |
How to use das tut mir leid zu hören in real life
- 1Job loss news
Echt? Das tut mir leid zu hören.
Really? I'm sorry to hear that.
Work.
- 2Pet illness
Dein Hund… das tut mir leid zu hören.
Your dog… I'm sorry to hear that.
Pet.
- 3Cancelled trip
Schade — das tut mir leid zu hören, wirklich.
Pity — I'm sorry to hear that, really.
Travel.
Mistakes English speakers make with das tut mir leid zu hören
Incorrect: ich bin sorry zu hören
Correct: das tut mir leid zu hören
Use the German empathy phrase.
Incorrect: das tut mir Leid (capital L mid-sentence wrongly)
Correct: das tut mir leid zu hören
leid is lowercase in this fixed expression.
Good to know
Germans keep sympathy short: das tut mir leid zu hören, then listen. Long speeches can feel awkward after private bad news.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Friend shares bad news
ChatPal
Meine Oma ist im Krankenhaus.
My grandma is in the hospital.
You
Das tut mir leid zu hören.
I'm sorry to hear that.
ChatPal
Sie ist stabil.
She's stable.
You
Gut. Trotzdem: das tut mir leid zu hören — melde dich.
Good. Still: I'm sorry to hear that — check in.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"I'm sorry to hear that" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "I'm sorry to hear that" in German
How do you say I'm sorry to hear that?
Das tut mir leid zu hören.
Shorter?
Das tut mir leid.
For illness?
Add Gute Besserung.
Formal Sie?
Same phrase works.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
