Ways to say it
| Polish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| przepraszam | /pʂɛˈpra.ʂam/ | |
| przykro mi | /ˈpʂɘ.krɔ mi/ | |
| sorry | /ˈsɔ.rɘ/ | informal |
| przebacz | ||
| pardon | /ˈpar.dɔn/ /parˈdɔw̃/ |
rare |
| daruj | archaic |
The most common and versatile way to say sorry in Polish is przepraszam. You can use it to apologize for an action or to get someone's attention, much like the English 'excuse me'. For a stronger apology, you can say przepraszam bardzo (I am very sorry) or przepraszam za moje zachowanie (I apologize for my behavior). If you are apologizing specifically to someone, you can use przepraszam cię (I apologize to you).
Which one should you use?
While przepraszam is used for apologies and getting attention, przykro mi is used to express sympathy or sadness about a situation (I'm sorry / I feel bad). For a direct and more personal request for forgiveness in intense emotional contexts, use przebacz (Forgive me).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The English loanword sorry is frequently used in informal Polish. In very casual settings, you may encounter the colloquial sorki. On the other end of the spectrum, pardon is rare and daruj is an archaic form.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form przepraszam is the first-person singular present tense of the verb przepraszać. Related verbs for the act of saying sorry include przeprosić and przepraszać.
How do you pronounce it?
/pʂɛˈpra.ʂam/ (3 syllables, stress on the 2nd syllable)
Did you know?
- In old Polish literature, the form daruj is related to the word for 'gift' dar, suggesting that forgiveness is a gift given to the offender.
- The word przykro is derived from przykry, which means 'unpleasant' or 'covering'. To feel przykro mi is essentially to feel that a situation is 'covering' you with discomfort.
- While przepraszam functions like 'excuse me' when passing through a crowd, using przykro mi in that situation would sound like you are mourning the crowd's existence.
Examples in context
- Przykro mi to słyszeć.I am sorry to hear that.This sentence is useful for expressing sympathy after hearing news using przykro mi.Tatoeba #352374 by zipangu, translation #453527 by saasmath
- Przykro mi, to pomyłka.Sorry, you have the wrong number.This sentence is useful for apologizing when a mistake occurred using przykro mi.Tatoeba #7166460 by arie, translation #881163 by Martha
- Przykro mi, to niemożliwe.Sorry, but that's not possible.This sentence is useful for expressing that something is not possible using przykro mi.Tatoeba #356870 by zipangu, translation #10782187 by sundown
- Przepraszam bardzo za moje spóźnienie.I am very sorry for being late.
- Przepraszam cię, nie mogłem odebrać twojego telefonu.I'm sorry, I couldn't answer your call.
- Spoko, nic się nie stało.It's fine, no problem.
- 105 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Anna accidentally bumps into Tomasz in a crowded hallway.
- AnnaPrzepraszam, nie zauważyłam cię.Sorry, I didn't notice you.
- TomaszNic się nie stało.It's okay.
- AnnaJeszcze raz przepraszam, Tomaszu.Sorry again, Tomasz.
- TomaszNaprawdę, wszystko jest w porządku.Really, everything is fine.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sorry” translations and entries przepraszam, przykro mi, sorry, pardon, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mi, przepraszam, przykro, przykro mi, sorry, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
