ignosce mihi
The Latin phrase for excuse me is ignosce mihi. If unsure, use ignosce mihi. Wiktionary also lists ignoscite mihi.
Meaning: sorry, as apology (noun)
Ways to say it
| Latin |
|---|
| ignosce mihi |
| ignoscite mihi |
The phrase is used to express apology or to ask for pardon. It can be translated as 'Forgive me' or 'Pardon me'.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase means 'forgive me'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb ignosce is in the imperative mood, which is used for making requests. Use ignosce mihi when addressing one person, but use ignoscite mihi when addressing more than one person.
Did you know?
- Because ignosce mihi literally means 'forgive me', it carries a much heavier weight than the polite English 'excuse me' used to pass someone in a hallway. In a Roman context, you are asking for a formal absolution of a fault.
- To make the request softer, Romans could add quaeso or amabo te , both used like 'please'.
Examples in context
- Ignosce mihi. Aliquid mihi rogandum est.Excuse me, I have a question.This example shows how to use ignosce mihi when you need to ask a question.Tatoeba #1499317 by alexmarcelo, translation #1445889 by johnd
- Ignosce mihi.Excuse me.This example shows a simple use of ignosce mihi.Tatoeba #4826378 by theFatEx, translation #433504 by CK
Example conversation
Marcus accidentally bumps into Lucia in a narrow street.
- MarcusIgnosce mihi, Lucia.Excuse me, Lucia.
- LuciaNihil est, Marce.It is nothing, Marcus.
- MarcusValesne bene?Are you well?
- LuciaIta, optime.Yes, very well.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “excuse me” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
