Are you wondering what the best ways to apologize in Italian are? If you travel to Italy and run into a situation that requires an apology, it would look rude if you stay silent, nod, or say the wrong thing. To save yourself from embarrassment, read this epic list of apologies that you can use today!
Generally, Italians are amiable and kind people. They are known to appreciate the efforts of foreigners, especially if they see you trying to speak or learn their language. They also appreciate the effort of others to be courteous. This is why learning apologies in Italian can save you from embarrassing situations. Fortunately, the Italian language has many easy expressions and phrases that can be used to say sorry. Read on below!
What Are The Best Ways To Apologize In Italian?
You can find yourself in a formal or casual situation when you have to say sorry in Italian. If you are at a friend’s house and want to apologize for something, you simply say:
- “Scusa” (I am sorry in Italian)
If you want to use this word with strangers, or older people, or use it in formal situations, you should say:
- “Scusi”
With Italians, you can use this word for most situations where you have done something wrong and want to apologize. For example, here are some ways to use “scusa” in actual sentences:
- Scusa sono in ritardo (scusami per il ritardo) – Sorry I am late
- Mi scusi se l’ho interrotta – Sorry if I interrupted you (formal context)
- Scusatemi per il disturbo – Sorry for the inconvenience (used to address more than one person)
- Scusa per il disturbo – Sorry for the inconvenience (used to address one person)
- Scusi, ho sbagliato.- Sorry, I have made a mistake
There are tons of ways to apologize in Italian. Which one you use depends on the situation you are in. Here are the most used words and phrases to say sorry in Italian to choose from:
- Mi dispiace – I am sorry
- Vorrei scusarmi – I would like to apologize
- Chiedo sinceramente scusa – I sincerely apologize
- È colpa mia -It’s my fault
- Non volevo – I didn’t mean that
- Spero che mi perdoni – I hope you forgive me
- Non avrei dovuto farlo – I shouldn’t have done it
- Scusa sono in ritardo – Sorry I’m late
- Non lo farò più – I won’t do it again
- Mi scusi – I am sorry (formal expression)
- Scuse sincere – Sincere apologies
- Sono mortificato/a – I am mortified
How Do You Ask For Forgiveness In Italian?
If you have made a big mistake, others want to hear appropriate apologies. You have to know how to express regret to your friends so they understand you recognize your mistakes and want to take full responsibility for them.
If you have to ask for forgiveness in Italian, the word to you is “Perdono.”
“Perdono” means forgiveness and pardon. Here is how you can use it:
- Perdonami – Forgive me (informal)
- Ti chiedo perdono – I ask for forgiveness
- Perdonatemi – Pardon me (when addressing more than one person)
- Mi perdoni – Pardon me (formal)
If you feel you have made a huge mistake and you want to make sure your sincere apology comes across, you can say:
- Perdonami per favore. Ho sbagliato – Please forgive me. I made a mistake
- Non intendevo offenderti/offenderla – I didn’t mean to offend you (formal/informal)
- Mi puoi perdonare? – Can you forgive me? (informal)
- Mi può perdonare? – Can you forgive me? (used with strangers or older people)
- Mi dispiace tantissimo – I am truly sorry
- Perdonatemi per avervi fatto perdere tempo – Pardon me for wasting your time.
- Ti garantisco / prometto che non si ripeterà – I guarantee / promise you that it will never happen again
How To Reply When Someone Says Sorry?
What about if someone is saying sorry to you? You can express your understanding and appreciation for an apology in various ways. Here are some excellent examples of words and phrases you can use:
- Nessun problems – No problem
- Non si preoccupi – Don’t worry (formal)
- Non ti preoccupare – Don’t worry (informal)
- Lasci stare – Forget about it (formal)
- Lascia stare – Forget about it (informal)
- Non è successo niente – Nothing happened
- Non fa niente – It does not matter
- Non ti preoccupare – Don’t worry
- È tutto a posto – Everything is fine
- Grazie, non è niente di grave – Thanks, it’s nothing serious
- Che vuoi farci? – What are you going to do?
- Tranquillo/a nessun problema – Do not worry, it’s not a problem.
- Gli errori succedono – Mistakes happen
- Non devi chiedere scusa – No need to ask for forgiveness
In general, Italians are amicable people, and when they do something wrong, they immediately apologize and expect others, especially foreigners, to be polite and respect etiquette.
Remember that in Italy, when you speak with a person you do not know well or an older person, you have to use the polite or the standard version of the words you want to say. While in English, the pronoun “You” is used for friends and strangers, you have to use different words in the Italian language.
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Don’t stop by just learning how to apologize in Italian! Learn more Italian words and phrases with the Ling app. It is a language-learning application that can help you learn Italian. In addition, it offers the possibility of learning more than 60 languages using a mobile device or computer. Do you want to learn more Italian sentences for other situations? Check out Italian Insults and Italian birthday phrases.
In addition, if you already know a foreign language and want to improve your level of knowledge, the Ling app can take you from your level to a higher one.
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