Ways to say it
| Icelandic |
|---|
| fyrirgefðu |
| afsakið |
These terms are used as expressions of regret or sorrow. While both can mean 'forgive me', afsakið also functions similarly to the English 'excuse me' when you need to get someone's attention.
What does it mean word for word?
fyrirgefðu is the imperative form of the verb fyrirgef a, which means 'to forgive'.
Which one should you use?
fyrirgefðu is used for personal apologies to friends or family, whereas afsakið is used for more formal apologies or to get a stranger's attention.
How does it change in a sentence?
fyrirgefðu is the singular imperative form used when speaking to one person you know well or are on informal terms with. afsakið is the plural or polite imperative form used when speaking to multiple people or to one person in a formal setting.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not confuse these apologies with Því miður, which means 'Unfortunately.'
Did you know?
- While fyrirgefðu is an apology, the word fyrirgefðu is grammatically a command. You are literally commanding the other person to 'forgive'.
- Because afsakið is the plural imperative, using it to be 'polite' to a single stranger actually functions grammatically as if you are addressing a group of people.
- The word fyrirgefðu is derived from the verb fyrirgefa, which combines the prefix fyrir and the root gefa meaning 'to give'.
Examples in context
- Æi, djöfullinn, fyrirgefðu.Oh shit, I'm sorry.This sentence shows how to use fyrirgefðu in an informal apology.Tatoeba #11192520 by nipbud, translation #11192502 by nipbud
- Fyrirgefðu að ég svaraði ekki spurningu þinni. Ég sá hana ekki.Sorry for not answering your question. I didn't see it.This sentence demonstrates using fyrirgefðu to apologize for a specific action.Tatoeba #10639031 by nipbud, translation #1768256 by CM
- Fyrirgefðu. Ég get það ekki.I'm sorry, I can't.This sentence shows how to use fyrirgefðu to express regret when unable to do something.Tatoeba #870017 by Swift, translation #869492 by sundown
- Mér þykir þér leitt vegna þess að ég kom svo seintI am sorry for being so late
- Ég er djúpt leiður fyrir að hafa gleymt að koma á afmælisveislu þinni.I am deeply sorry for forgetting to come to your birthday party.
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ólafur accidentally steps on Kristín's foot in a crowd.
- ÓlafurÓvíst, fyrirgefðu mig!Oops, sorry!
- KristínÞað er ekkert mál.It is no problem.
- ÓlafurVar það mikið?Was it a lot?
- KristínNei, allt í lagi.No, everything is fine.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sorry” translations and entries fyrirgefðu, afsakið, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries afsakið, fyrirgefðu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
