From Middle High German *verzīhen*, from Old High German *farzīhan* ("to renounce, give up a claim"). The *ver-* prefix signals a completed transformation, and the root relates to *zeihen* ("to accuse") — so *verzeihen* literally meant releasing someone from an accusation, which evolved into the modern sense of forgiving.

Germans also use *entschuldigen* for "excuse me / I'm sorry" in everyday situations, but *verzeihen* carries more emotional weight — it's used when asking for genuine forgiveness rather than a quick social apology. You'll often hear *Verzeihung!* (a noun form) as a polite "excuse me" when bumping into someone, which shows how the word spans both formal courtesy and deep reconciliation.