Ways to say it
| Croatian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| oprostite | /oprǒstite/ | Latin |
| izvinite | Latin, formal | |
| izvini | Latin, informal |
oprostite expresses regret for something you did, for example after bumping into someone or arriving late. It can also mean "excuse me" when you want someone's attention.
Which one should you use?
oprostite is the usual Croatian choice. izvinite and izvini mean the same thing but are more typical of Serbian and Bosnian speech, so in Croatia you will hear oprostite far more often.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Dictionaries mark izvinite as formal and izvini as informal.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Croatia people prefer oprostite. The pair izvinite and izvini belongs mainly to Serbia and Bosnia.
How does it change in a sentence?
oprostite is the polite or plural command form of the verb meaning "to forgive", so it literally asks the listener to forgive you. With one friend or family member speakers use the shorter informal singular form of the same verb.
How do you pronounce it?
The IPA is /oprǒstite/. The stress falls on the second syllable with a rising tone, and every vowel is pronounced clearly, including the final e.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not drop the final e of oprostite when speaking to a stranger, since the shorter form sounds familiar.
When do people say it?
A short apology is usually answered with a phrase meaning "no problem" or "it is nothing".
Did you know?
- While oprostite translates to 'sorry', it comes from the same root as the word for 'absolution' in a religious context, linking a casual apology to the spiritual act of forgiving sins.
- The word oprostite is derived from the verb oprostiti, which literally means 'to let go' or 'to release', reflecting the idea of releasing someone from a debt of guilt.
- Depending on the region in Croatia, you may hear pardon, a loanword from French, used as a very brief and light way to say 'sorry' in passing.
Examples in context
- Oprostite, ne razumijem vas.Sorry, I do not understand you.
- Oprostite što kasnim na sastanak.Sorry that I am late for the meeting.
- Oprostite, može li čovjek proći?Sorry, may I pass through?
Example conversation
Ana accidentally bumps into Luka on the street.
- AnaOprostite, nisam vas vidjela!Sorry, I didn't see you!
- LukaNema problema, sve je u redu.No problem, everything is fine.
- AnaJeste li dobro, Luka?Are you okay, Luka?
- LukaJesam, hvala vam.I am, thank you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sorry” translations and entries oprostite, izvinite, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
