סליחה
slicha
To say I am sorry in Hebrew, say סליחה (slicha).
סליחה is the common way to say sorry, close to forgive me. It is also used to say excuse me when you want someone's attention or need to pass through a crowd.
Which one should you use?
For a more sincere and formal expression of regret, use אני מצטער. That is the form a man uses, and a woman uses the feminine form of the verb.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say what you are sorry for, put the preposition al after it, as in סליחה על.
How do you pronounce it?
Say it as slicha.
Did you know?
- The root of סליחה, involving the letters ס-ל-ח, is deeply connected to the ancient concept of wiping away or erasing a debt or a mistake.
- Unlike English, where 'sorry' is an adjective, the formal apology אני מצטער uses a reflexive verb form that literally means 'I am causing myself regret'.
- In Hebrew, there is a distinction between סליחה which asks for forgiveness, and אני מצטער which describes the internal feeling of being sorry.
Examples in context
- סליחה שהיית צריך לחכות.I am sorry to have kept you waiting.Here סליחה opens an apology for keeping someone waiting.Tatoeba #634720 by Eldad, translation #275292 by CC
- סליחה, איחרתי לפגישה.slicha, icharti la-pgisha.Sorry, I was late to the meeting.
- סליחה, לא שמעתי אותך.slicha, lo shamati otcha.Sorry, I didn't hear you.
Example conversation
Maya accidentally steps on Daniel's foot.
- מאיה Mayaסליחה, דניאל! לא ראיתי אותך.slikha, Daniel! lo ra'iti otkha.I am sorry, Daniel! I didn't see you.
- דניאל Danielזה בסדר, אין בעיה.ze beseder, ein be'aya.It's okay, no problem.
- מאיה Mayaזה כואב?ze ko'ev?Does it hurt?
- דניאל Danielלא, הכל טוב.lo, hakol tov.No, everything is fine.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries סליחה, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
