How to Say “Pardon” in Russian

Ways to say it

If you are apologizing, such as for an interruption or a mistake, the forms Извините and Простите are common. Извините can be used when you want to apologize, when you didn't hear clearly or when you need to get someone's attention. Простите carries a slightly stronger sense of forgiveness and is used to show deeper respect or apologize sincerely. If you are simply asking for a repetition of words, you might use что вы сказа́ли? or что?

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase прошу́ проще́ния literally translates to 'I ask (for) forgiveness'.

Which one should you use?

When asking someone to repeat themselves, что вы сказа́ли? is a more polite way to ask someone to repeat themselves compared to the blunt что? For apologies or seeking attention, Извините and Простите are both formal, but Простите carries a slightly stronger sense of forgiveness.

Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?

For formal situations, use прошу́ проще́ния, Извините or Простите. The phrase что вы сказа́ли? is also a polite way to ask for repetition. For informal situations, such as when speaking to friends or people you know well, use Извини or Прости to apologize or grab attention. Using что? is very informal and can sound rude or blunt if used with strangers or superiors.

Related words

Forgiveness for an offence (noun): проще́ние.

Releasing order (noun): поми́лование.

How does it change in a sentence?

In the phrase прошу́ проще́ния, the word прошу́ is the first-person singular present form of the verb проси́ть (to ask/request).

How do you pronounce it?

prošú proščénija