przepraszam
/pʂɛˈpra.ʂam/
The English word 'pardon' is expressed in Polish as przepraszam.
przepraszam is used as an interjection to say 'pardon' when you want someone to repeat something.
Meaning: interjection, request to repeat (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
przepraszam is a first-person singular verb that literally means 'I apologize'.
Which one should you use?
While przepraszam is a polite way to ask someone to repeat themselves, the word co? is a blunt, informal way to say 'what?' when you did not hear something.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Although it is used as an interjection like 'pardon', przepraszam is grammatically a verb in the first-person singular present tense.
How do you pronounce it?
/pʂɛˈpra.ʂam/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- While przepraszam is the standard polite way to say 'pardon', if you use the much shorter słucham? which means 'I am listening?', it functions as an even more elegant way to ask someone to repeat themselves.
- Because przepraszam is a verb, if you were to say it in the plural form as przepraszamy, you would be apologizing on behalf of a whole group, such as a family or a company.
- In very casual settings among close friends, instead of the polite przepraszam, people might simply use the word sori, which is a Polish phonetic adaptation of the English 'sorry'.
Examples in context
- Przepraszam za moją niezręczność.Pardon my clumsiness.This sentence is useful for apologizing for a mistake using przepraszam.Tatoeba #368147 by zipangu, translation #6534641 by sundown
- Przepraszam bardzo, jest tu gdzieś w okolicy bankomat?Pardon me, is there an ATM somewhere around here?This sentence shows how to use przepraszam to politely ask a question.Tatoeba #4104341 by Ceresnya, translation #3129236 by WestofEden
- Przepraszam na sekundę.Pardon me one second.This sentence demonstrates how to use przepraszam when asking for a moment of someone's time.Tatoeba #12710266 by JimiYoru, translation #3168182 by CK
- Przepraszam, czy możesz mi pomóc?Excuse me, can you help me?
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Anna and Krzysztof are talking in a noisy cafe.
- AnnaLubię tę kawę, ale jest za gorąca.I like this coffee, but it is too hot.
- KrzysztofPrzepraszam? Nie słyszałem, co powiedziałaś.Pardon? I didn't hear what you said.
- AnnaMówiłam, że kawa jest za gorąca.I said that the coffee is too hot.
- KrzysztofA, teraz rozumiem. Dziękuję, Anno.Ah, now I understand. Thank you, Anna.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry przepraszam, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
