9 ways to say “I'm sorry” in Italian

Picture this: you're strolling through the streets of Naples, expertly dodging motorcycles, crowds, and the occasional selfie stick, when—oops—you almost step on someone else's shoe. shout Excuse me! Going left and right may seem like the easiest options, but is it really the best way?

If you want to blend in like a local, you have to know how to say “I'm sorry” in Italian. Whether you're politely interrupting someone or trying to make your way through a crowded market, having the right phrases ready can make all the difference.

In this guide, I'll break down the key points based on the differences between the two Excuse me and Excuse me For some of our other common ways of saying “I'm sorry” in Italian, examples are provided to make sure you use them correctly. Finally, you'll apologize to yourself in proper Italian style!

Say “I'm sorry” in an informal setting

There are two main ways to say “I'm sorry” in Italian when you're hanging out with friends or approaching people your age in a casual setting:

1. sorry

short and sweet, Excuse me Your first choice for quick and casual interaction:

Some of you may be thinking, “Wait, isn’t it? Excuse me Formal? not at all! While it may seem formal because you've learned that formal Italian usually uses third person inflections, in this case, Excuse me is actually the imperative form of the verb forgive (justification, justification).

It is also worth noting that Excuse me It has many uses in Italian. You can use it to get someone's attention, defend yourself, or apologize. For example:

2. Sorry

This is a direct translation of the Italian “Excuse me” and is another very common way to get someone's attention, apologize, or politely move through a crowd. It combines the imperative form of the verb forgive (excuse, proof) and pronouns rice (I):

Say “I'm sorry” in formal situations

When having a formal Italian conversation – especially with someone you don't know or someone older than you – it's a good idea to use the following expressions instead to make sure you can Good figure (Good impression)!

3. Sorry

Excuse me is the polite, formal version Excuse me (informal) used to address someone who deserves respect, such as a stranger, a doctor, or a helpful store clerk. Technically speaking, Excuse me is the third person subjunctive mood of the verb forgive (Excuse me), because the Lei form of the formal imperative has the same inflection as the present subjunctive.

For example, if you can't resist the urge to go to the bathroom, you could say:

If you find yourself in a crowd and need to address a group, just switch to Excuse me:

4. Sorry

Excuse me is an alternative Excuse meperfect for those moments when you need to get someone's attention or apologize for a minor faux pas, like bumping into someone in a crowded market (a classic!).

Suppose you notice an old man having trouble finding his way, you might ask:

Although Excuse me and Excuse me can be used interchangeably, Excuse me Just sounds a little friendlier.

If you are addressing more than one person, be sure to use sorry instead:

5.I apologize

Literally means “I beg your forgiveness”, I apologize A little more formal than casual Excuse me/Excuse me. You usually hear it when people interrupt someone or ask for permission. For example, let's say you're in a crowded cafe and there's a free chair at a nearby table. do you speak:

I apologize Especially useful when you are clarifying in a formal setting. For example, if you miss part of a conversation (hey, it happens!), you can politely ask:

6.Forgive me

This expression means “please forgive me” and it leans on the very formal side, so is best reserved for when you really want to show respect and impress with your super polite Italian skills! it comes from verb forgive (Forgiveness), which is perfect when you feel like you've really inconvenienced someone. Here's an example showing how to use it:

By using this phrase, you'll not only sound fluent, but also very respectful – plus, it's a great way to avoid any awkward misunderstandings.

7. Is it allowed?

Imagine you are reaching across the table to get some salt, or maybe you need to zip past someone in a small space – what do you say in Italian? you say Is it allowed? This is a friendly, polite way of saying “I'm sorry” in Italian, just like saying “Can I?” or “Do you mind?” in English. use allow Show that you are considering and respecting the other person's space. Here's how you can use it:

8. License

Have you ever had to squeeze past people blocking your way, such as on a crowded train or on a crowded street? In Italian we have a perfect, polite word for it: allow! It's like saying, “Sorry, do you mind if I stop by?”

Imagine you are on a busy Italian subway and someone is standing in front of the seat you want. All you have to say is:

Remember, tone says it all! Depending on how you say the word, it might look like this more or less polite, more or less aggressive!

but allow It has another meaning in Italian. When we visit someone's home in Italy, say it respectfully “allow“ When we intervene. Picture this: you are at your new friend's door, and as you walk in the door you casually say:

Here's a trick: you don't need to wait for a reply! Just say allow When you step in, your master might say something like, Come on, come in! (Please come in!).

However, in a more formal place, such as an office, things work a little differently. Imagine you are about to walk into your boss's office. Here, things aren't so casual. and not just allow, You'll want to knock on the door, open it slightly, and ask Is this allowed? (Can I come in?) Then, wait for the reply: Avanti! (Come in!)

9. With permission

this sentence With permission Often used before taking an action without asking first, the action may seem a bit rude. It's a bit like saying “if you allow me” in English.

For example, if you are chatting with someone and need to exit gracefully, you can say:

Valentina Nicastro He is a travel writer who loves his motherland, Italy. After traveling around the world, she realized there was more to explore closer to home and decided to put her passport aside for the time being. When she's not immersed in documenting Italy, you'll find her donning her hat as a communications consultant, weaving words as a content writer and bridging language gaps as a translator.