Breakdown of Entschuldige dich, anstatt dass dein Freund für dich lügt!
der Freund
the friend
dich
you (singular, informal)
dein
your (informal)
für
for
entschuldigen
to excuse
lügen
to lie (tell a falsehood)
anstatt dass
instead of (+ subordinate clause)
Questions & Answers about Entschuldige dich, anstatt dass dein Freund für dich lügt!
Why use anstatt dass here instead of the infinitive structure anstatt ... zu?
You use anstatt dass because the two clauses have different subjects. The first clause is a command directed at you (you apologize), but the subject of the second clause is dein Freund (your friend lies). If the subject were the same in both parts (for example, "Apologize instead of lying!"), you would use anstatt zu lügen instead.
Why does lügt go at the very end of the sentence?
The word dass makes the second half of the sentence a subordinate clause. Just like with other subordinating conjunctions (like weil or ob), anstatt dass forces the conjugated verb (lügt) to the very end of its clause.
Why is there a dich right after Entschuldige?
The verb for "to apologize" in German is reflexive: sich entschuldigen (literally "to excuse oneself"). Since this is a command (imperative) directed at one person informally, the reflexive pronoun must match the implied "you", so it becomes dich.
Why do we use für dich instead of für dir?
The preposition für is a strict accusative preposition. It always forces the following noun or pronoun into the accusative case, which is why we must use dich instead of the dative form dir.
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