Picture this: you’re strolling through the streets of Naples, expertly dodging scooters, crowds, and the occasional selfie stick when —oops— you almost step on someone’s shoes. Yelling Scusa! left and right might seem like the easy option, but is it really the best approach?
Knowing how to say “excuse me” in Italian is a must if you want to blend in like a local. Whether you’re politely interrupting someone or trying to make your way through a crowded market, having the right phrase ready can make all the difference.
In this guide, I’ll break down the essentials, from the difference between scusa and scusi to a few other common expressions we use to say “excuse me” in Italian, providing examples to ensure you use them correctly. By the end, you’ll be excusing yourself in proper Italian style!
Saying “Excuse Me” in informal contexts
When you’re hanging out with friends or approaching people around your age in relaxed settings, there are two main ways to say “Excuse me” in Italian:
1. Scusa
Short and sweet, scusa is your go-to for quick, casual interactions:
Scusa, sai che ore sono?
Excuse me, do you know what time it is?
Some of you might be wondering: “Wait, isn’t scusa formal?” Not at all! While it might seem formal because you’ve learned that formal Italian generally uses third-person conjugations, in this case, scusa is actually the imperative form of the verb scusare (to excuse, to justify).
It’s also worth noting that scusa has multiple uses in Italian. You can use it to get someone’s attention, excuse yourself, or offer an apology. For example:
Scusa, non volevo!
Sorry, I didn’t mean to!
2. Scusami
This is the direct translation of “Excuse me” in Italian and is another super common way to get someone’s attention, apology yourself, or politely make your way through a crowd. It combines the imperative form of the verb scusare (to excuse, to justify) with the pronoun mi (me):
Scusami, sai dov’è l’uscita?
Excuse me, do you know where the exit is?
Saying “Excuse Me” in formal contexts
When navigating formal Italian conversations — especially with people you don’t know or those older than you — it’s best to switch to the following expressions which ensure you make a bella figura (good impression)!
3. Scusi
Scusi is the polite, formal version of scusa (informal) and is used when addressing someone deserving of respect—think strangers, doctors, or that ever-helpful store clerk. Technically, scusi is the third person subjunctive of the verb scusare (to excuse), since the formal imperative for the Lei form shares the same conjugation as the present subjunctive.
For example, if you can’t resist the urge to find the restroom anymore, you might say:
Scusi, mi potrebbe indicare la toilette?
Excuse me, could you point me to the restroom?
And if you find yourself in a crowd and need to address a group, just switch to scusate:
Scusate, da che parte si entra?
Excuse me, which way is the entrance?
4. Mi scusi
Mi scusi is an alternative to scusi, perfect for those quick moments when you need to catch someone’s attention or apologize for a minor faux pas, like bumping into someone in a crowded market (a classic!).
Say you’ve noticed an elderly man struggling with directions, you might ask:
Mi scusi signore, ha bisogno di aiuto?
Excuse me sir, do you need help?
Even though mi scusi and scusi can be used interchangeably, mi scusi just sounds a little friendlier.
If you’re addressing more than one person, make sure to use scusatemi instead:
Signore, scusatemi! Per caso avete visto un paio di occhiali?
Excuse me, ladies! Have you seen a pair of glasses by any chance?
5. Chiedo scusa
Literally meaning “I ask for your pardon”, chiedo scusa is a bit more formal than a casual scusi/mi scusi. You’ll typically hear it when people are interrupting someone or asking for permission. For instance, imagine you’re at a crowded café, and there’s a free chair at a nearby table. You’d say:
Chiedo scusa, posso prendere questa sedia?
Pardon me, may I take this chair?
Chiedo scusa is especially useful when you’re clarifying in a formal situation. For example, if you missed part of a conversation (hey, it happens!), you can politely ask:
Chiedo scusa, non ho sentito. Può ripetere, per favore?
I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that. Could you repeat it, please?
6. Mi perdoni
Meaning “forgive me”, this expression leans toward the extra-formal side, so it’s best saved for moments when you really want to show respect and impress with your super-polite Italian skills! It comes from the verb perdonare (to forgive), and it’s perfect when you feel like you’re truly inconveniencing someone. Here’s an example to show how to use it:
Mi perdoni, non volevo disturbare.
Forgive me, I didn’t mean to disturb you.
Use this phrase, and you’ll not only sound fluent but also incredibly respectful—plus, it’s a great way to avoid any awkward misunderstandings.
7. Permette?
Imagine you’re reaching across the table to grab the salt, or maybe you need to scoot past someone in a tight space — what do you say in Italian? You say Permette? It’s a friendly, polite way to say “Excuse me” in Italian, just like saying “May I?” or “Do you mind?” in English. Using Permette shows that you’re being thoughtful and respectful of the other person’s space. Here’s how you might use it:
Permette? Devo raggiungere quel posto.
May I? I need to get to that spot.
8. Permesso
Ever needed to squeeze past someone blocking the way, like on a packed train or in a crowded street? In Italian, we’ve got the perfect, polite word for it: Permesso! It’s like saying, “Excuse me, mind if I slide by?”
Imagine you’re on a busy Italian subway, and someone’s standing in front of the seat you want. All you have to say is:
Permesso, posso passare?
Excuse me, may I pass?
Remember, the tone says everything! Depending on how you say this word, it can come out as più o meno gentile, più o meno aggressivo!
But permesso has also another meaning in Italian. When we visit someone’s home in Italy, it’s respectful to say “Permesso“ as we step in. It’s like giving a little heads-up that we’re entering someone’s personal space. Picture this: you’re at your new friend’s door and as you walk through the doorway, you casually say:
Permesso! Wow, che bella casa!
May I come in? Wow, what a beautiful home!
Here’s a trick: You don’t need to wait for a reply! Just say permesso as you step in, and your host will likely say something like, Vieni, entra pure! (Come in, please!).
However, in more formal places, like an office, things work a bit differently. Imagine you’re about to go into your boss’s office. Here, it’s not quite as casual. Instead of just permesso, you’ll want to knock, open the door slightly, and ask È permesso? (Is it okay if I come in?) Then, wait for the response: Avanti! (Come on in!)
9. Con permesso
The phrase con permesso is often used before diving into an action that might seem a tad rude without asking first. It’s a bit like saying, “If you allow me” in English.
For example, if you’re chatting with someone and you need to make a graceful exit, you can say:
Con permesso, vado un attimo a salutare il Signor Enzo.
If you’ll permit me, I’m going to say hi to Mr. Enzo for a moment.
Valentina Nicastro is a travel writer in love with her home country, Italy. Having travelled widely around the globe, she realised there was more to explore closer to home and decided to put the passport aside for a while. When she is not immersed in documenting Italy, you’ll find her donning her communication consultant hat, weaving words as a content writer and bridging linguistic divides as a translator.
