Apologies can be quite challenging. Even the legendary Elton John, in all his musical glory, admitted that “sorry” seems to be the hardest word. Add to that the fact that we have many ways to say sorry in Italian and it becomes clear that apologising can be quite complex.
Given its richness and expressive nature, it’s no surprise that Italian offers a whole repertoire of sorry expressions to convey remorse and seek forgiveness, each carrying its own nuances and level of sincerity.
Naturally, how we apologise can depend on several factors, such as the context, what we did, and the kind of relationship involved.
Basic ways to say sorry in Italian
When it comes to Italian apology etiquette, a couple of basic expressions can be used for pretty much anything, from accidentally elbowing someone to misunderstanding in a conversation.
Scusi / Scusa
Translation: Sorry
One common way to apologise in Italian is by saying Scusi (formal) / Scusa (informal), which directly translates to “Sorry”. This is the quickest and easiest way we have to apologise and can be used in most situations where you are at fault.
Example: Scusa, non volevo disturbarti (Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you)
In Italian, we often use Scusi / Scusa also when we want to get someone’s attention with the meaning of “Excuse me”.
Example: Scusi, mi sa dire che ore sono per favore? (Excuse me, can you please tell me what time it is?)
Mi scusi (formal) / Scusami (informal)
Translation: I’m sorry
Similarly, you can say Mi scusi or Scusami which both mean “I apologize”. These phrases carry a stronger emphasis, expressing a sincere apology and a request for forgiveness.
Example: Scusami se non ti ho chiamato prima, ho avuto un problema (I’m sorry I didn’t call you earlier, I had a problem)
Saying sorry in a business context
In a business context, a well-crafted apology mends fences and demonstrates professionalism. The Italian language has a variety of terms used to mean “sorry” in a formal situation to offer an apology or express regret for a mistake or inconvenience caused. The most common ones are:
La prego di scusarmi (formal) / Ti prego di scusarmi (informal)
Translation: Please forgive me
This is a common way to apologise to someone in a business context. The formal version can be used during a conversation with a client or a person of higher rank, while the informal version is standard among colleagues.
Example: La prego di scusarmi per il ritardo nell’invio della documentazione (Please forgive me for the delay in sending the documents).
Voglia scusarmi
Translation: Please excuse me
Just like La prego di scusarmi, Voglia scusarmi is another way to politely and formally admit a mistake or apologise for something that might have bothered or upset someone. It shows respect and courtesy towards the person you’re talking to.
Example: Voglia scusarmi per il ritardo (Please accept my apologies for the delay).
Sono spiacente (I’m sorry)
Translation: I’m sorry
Sono spiacente can be used to express apologies in various contexts of professional settings.
Example: Sono spiacente, ma il suo ordine è stato annullato a causa di un problema di disponibilità (I’m sorry, but your order has been canceled due to an availability issue).
Mi scuso per l’inconveniente
Translation: I apologise for the inconvenience
Mi scuso per l’inconveniente is commonly used in situations where you want to express how sorry you feel about a problem or discomfort that’s caused annoyance or inconvenience to the other person, even when that doesn’t necessarily depend on you.
Example: Mi scuso per l’inconveniente causato dal mal funzionamento del nostro sistema di prenotazione online (I apologize for the inconvenience caused by the malfunctioning of our online booking system).
Sono mortificato/a
Translation: I feel terrible
This expression is commonly used when you feel extremely upset or disappointed by your own behaviour and you are aware of having made a serious mistake or having let someone down.
Example: Sono mortificata per l’accaduto e mi assumo piena responsabilità per l’errore (I feel terrible for what happened and take full responsibility for the mistake)
Saying sorry when requesting a repetition
There may be moments when you miss out on a few words or need help to grasp the meaning behind what the other person is saying. Here’s how to handle these situations gracefully.
Come, scusi? (formal) / Come, scusa? (informal)
Translation: I beg your pardon?
This expression is commonly used in Italian when one wants to ask the other person to repeat or clarify something that was not well understood. It can also be used to express surprise or disbelief regarding what has been communicated. We often use also the short version (Scusi? / Scusa?) as well as a longer one (Scusi, cos’ha detto? / Scusa, cos’hai detto?)
Example: Come scusa? Non ho sentito bene (I beg your pardon? I didn’t hear well).
Come scusi, può ripetere per favore? (formal) / Come scusa, puoi ripetere per favore? (informal)
Translation: Excuse me, can you please repeat that?
Similarly, this polite phrase is used when you need confirmation or further clarification on what has been communicated. For example, if you need help understanding a question or instruction correctly, you can use this phrase to ask the person to repeat or explain again.
Prego?
Translation: Pardon?
Prego? comes in handy when you find yourself in a situation where you’d like the speaker to clarify their words, perhaps due to a disturbance in communication or background noise.
Example: Come ha detto, prego? (Pardon? What did you say?)
Saying sorry when someone’s in your way
As you venture through bustling Italian streets and busy train compartments, there’s a key Italian word to politely beckons others to part ways so you can pass.
Permesso
Translation: Excuse me
Think of Permesso as your magical “open sesame” expression! You can use it when you need someone to get out of the way so you can pass. The same expression can also mean “May I come in?” when you’re about to cross the threshold into someone’s home.
Example: Permesso, posso passare? (Excuse me, may I pass?)
Mi scusi, permesso (formal) / Scusa, permesso (informal)
Translation: Excuse me, can I get by?
Similarly to Permesso, this expression is commonly used when you want to get someone’s attention and ask for permission to pass.
Saying sorry when seeking forgiveness
There may be times when the things we say or do can hurt or upset others. That’s when seeking forgiveness becomes paramount and genuine apologies come to rescue to help mend broken bonds.
Mi dispiace / Mi spiace
Translation: I’m sorry
This is a casual way to express a sense of regret or remorse for something you have done.
Example: Mi spiace se ho detto qualcosa di offensivo, non era mia intenzione (I’m sorry if I said something offensive, it was not my intention)
Mi dispiace / Mi spiace are also used to show support and empathy when someone informs you about sad news or discusses a challenging situation they’re going through. Lastly, they are also used to genuinely offer your heartfelt condolences for someone’s loss.
Mi perdoni (formal) / Perdonami (informal)
Translation: Forgive me
This expression is commonly used to literally ask the other person to forgive you for something you have done or said and regret. You may also hear variations like Mi puoi perdonare? (Can you forgive me?) or Potrai mai perdonarmi? (Can you ever forgive me?).
Example: Perdonami se ti ho fatto del male (Forgive me if I hurt you)
In Italian, we frequently use Mi perdoni or Perdonami as a way to politely interrupt someone or express a contrasting opinion while they are speaking.
Example: Perdonami, ma la penso diversamente (I’m sorry but I have a different opinion about that)
Le chiedo scusa / Ti chiedo scusa
Translation: My apologies
This is another kind and considerate way to acknowledge a mistake or flaw to the other person.
Example: Le chiedo scusa per l’errore nella fattura (My apologies for the error on the invoice)
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.
