skużani
In Maltese, the word for sorry is skużani. Wiktionary also lists skużi.
Meaning: expression of regret or sorrow (intj)
Ways to say it
| Maltese |
|---|
| skużi |
| skużani |
The phrase is an expression used to convey regret or sorrow.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, skużani means forgiven or excused, though it is used idiomatically to mean sorry.
Which one should you use?
The form skużi is the singular version, whereas skużani is the plural version.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form skużani is the plural form and is used when addressing more than one person or when using the polite plural to address a single person. The form skużi is the singular form used when addressing one person informally.
Did you know?
- The root of skużi is shared with the English word 'excuse', as both derive from a common Romance language ancestor despite Maltese being a Semitic language.
- Maltese uses the same word skużi for both 'sorry' and 'excuse me', meaning the context and tone determine if you are apologizing or asking for passage.
- The word 'excuse' in English and skużi in Maltese both share a distant semantic connection to the idea of 'clearing' a debt or a fault.
Examples in context
- Skużani, se jkolli mmur.Sorry, I've got to go.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use skużani when you need to leave.Tatoeba #2321885 by scutajar, translation #56371 by CK
- 1 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Andre accidentally bumps into Maria in a hallway.
- AndreSkużani, ma kuntx Arach!Sorry, I wasn't looking!
- MariaM'għal xejn, Andre.It's nothing, Andre.
- AndreTirtu aħdar?Are you okay?
- MariaIva, kolla bagay kollu tajjeb.Yes, everything is fine.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sorry” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
