Ways to say it
| Ukrainian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ви́бачте | výbačte | formal |
| перепро́шую | perepróšuju |
перепро́шую can function as a polite way to say "excuse me" to get someone's attention or to apologize for a minor social slip. It can also be used colloquially as a question to ask someone to repeat what they said, much like "I beg your pardon?" in English.
Which one should you use?
ви́бачте is used to say "I'm sorry" or "forgive me" in formal contexts. In contrast, перепро́шую is often used as a polite "excuse me" for small social errors or to ask for repetition.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ви́бачте is the formal or plural form, making it appropriate when speaking to strangers, elders or a group. перепро́шую is a polite option for general social interactions and minor slips.
How does it change in a sentence?
While ви́бачте is the formal version, the informal singular form is ви́бач, which you should use when speaking to friends or children.
How do you pronounce it?
výbačte
Did you know?
- In very emotional or formal contexts, Ukrainians may use the word проба́чіть, which shares a root with the English word 'probation' via the Latin 'probare'.
- The root of ви́бачте is connected to the idea of 'liberating' or 'releasing' someone from a burden or a mistake.
- To express deep sorrow or condolences rather than a social apology, Ukrainians use шко́да, which is closer to the English 'it is a pity' than 'I am sorry'.
Examples in context
- Вибачте, будь ласка.Excuse me, please.
- Прошу вибачення.Please accept my apologies.
- Вибач.Sorry.
- Вибач, що зробив це.Sorry for doing that.
- Це була моя помилка.It was my fault.
- Ви́бачте, я запізнився на зустріч.Vybachte, ya zapiznyvsya na zustrich.I'm sorry, I am late for the meeting.
- Ви́бачте, я не почув вашого питання.Vybachte, ya ne pochuv vashoho pytannya.I'm sorry, I didn't hear your question.
Example conversation
Serhiy accidentally bumps into Nataliia in a hallway.
- Сергій SerhiiВи́бачте, я не хоті́в вас штовхну́ти.Vybachte, ya ne khotiv vas shtovkhnuty.I'm sorry, I didn't mean to push you.
- Наталія NataliiaНічого страшного, Сергі́ю.Nicheho strashnoho, Serhiyu.It's nothing terrible, Serhiy.
- Сергій SerhiiВи́бачте ще раз.Vybachte shche raz.I'm sorry once again.
- Наталія NataliiaВсе га́разд, не турбу́йтеся.Vse harazd, ne turbuytesya.Everything is fine, don't worry.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “I'm sorry” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
