Ways to say it
| Ukrainian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ви́бачте | výbačte | formal |
| проба́чте | probáčte | formal |
| проба́ч | probáč | informal |
| перепро́шую | perepróšuju | |
| ви́бач | výbač | informal |
| дару́йте | darújte | formal |
| дару́й | darúj | informal |
These expressions are used to show regret, sorrow or to ask for forgiveness. While most forms serve as apologies, перепро́шую is frequently used as a polite way to say 'excuse me' to get someone's attention or to apologize for a minor social slip, such as 'I beg your pardon'.
What does it mean word for word?
The form дару́йте is the formal imperative of a verb meaning 'to give a gift' or 'to grant', making the apology literally 'grant [forgiveness]'.
Which one should you use?
The forms are distinguished by their level of directness and the relationship between speakers. проба́чте is a slightly more direct way to ask for forgiveness compared to the more common ви́бачте. To get someone's attention or apologize for a minor slip, перепро́шую is a highly polite option.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Ukrainian uses different forms depending on who you are addressing. ви́бачте, проба́чте and дару́йте are formal forms. дару́йте is a very polite, slightly more elegant way to say 'excuse me' or 'forgive me' in social situations. Conversely, ви́бач, проба́ч and дару́й are informal and intended for friends or family. перепро́шую is a polite way to say 'excuse me'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The informal forms such as ви́бач, проба́ч and дару́й are in the imperative mood, used to request forgiveness from one person you know well. The formal versions, ви́бачте and проба́чте, are used when addressing someone formally or a group of people.
How do you pronounce it?
výbačte
Did you know?
- In Ukrainian, using the formal ви́бачте when you are actually close friends can be interpreted as a sarcastic way to create emotional distance or signal that you are angry.
- While English uses 'sorry' for both a mistake and a tragedy, Ukrainian distinguishes these clearly. You would use ви́бачте to apologize for a mistake, but not to express condolences for a loss.
- In formal settings, using the single-person informal forms like проба́ч instead of проба́чте can be perceived as a significant breach of social etiquette, much more so than in English.
Examples in context
- Вибачте, що запізнився на нашу зустріч.Sorry for being late to our meeting.
- Вибачте мене, будь ласка, але я повинен піти.Excuse me, but I have to leave.
- Вибач, що не відповів на твоє повідомлення.Sorry I didn't reply to your message.
- Пробач, що спізнився на вечірку.Forgive me for being late to the party.
- Ви́бачте, я запізни́вся на зустріч.Vybachte, ya zapiznyvsya na zustrich.Sorry, I am late for the meeting.
- Ви́бачте за мою поведі́нку.Vybachte za moyu povedinku.Sorry for my behavior.
- Ви́бачте, я не хотів вас ображати.Vybachte, ya ne khotiv vas obrazhat'.Sorry, I did not want to offend you.
Example conversation
Irina accidentally bumps into Andriy in a crowded hallway.
- Ірина IrynaОй, ви́бачте, па́не Андрі́ю!Oy, vybachte, pane Andriyu!Oh, sorry, Mr. Andriy!
- Андрій AndriiНічо́го страшного, Іри́но.Nichoho strashnoho, Iryno.It is nothing terrible, Irina.
- Ірина IrynaЯ була́ дуже́ заклопо́тана.Ya bula duzhe zaklopotana.I was very preoccupied.
- Андрій AndriiУсе га́разд, не пережива́йте.Use harazd, ne perezhyvayte.Everything is fine, don't worry.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sorry” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
