Polite Ways to Say "Excuse Me" in Italian
The standard polite choice is "Mi scusi". Use "Chiedo scusa" for a sincere apology, and "Con permesso" when you need to pass someone physically.
The most common way
A polite "excuse me" for getting attention, interrupting, or apologizing lightly, especially with strangers or in formal situations.
How to say it: Stress the middle syllable: mee SKOO-zee, with a hard "sk" sound, not "shoo".
Other ways to say it
- formal
A warmer, more emphatic "excuse me" or "I'm very sorry", used when you feel you are causing a small inconvenience.
When to use it: Say it to a stranger, an elder, or someone in a formal setting when you need to interrupt or ask a favour.
- polite
"I apologize" or "excuse me", more explicitly apologetic than a simple attention-getter.
When to use it: Use it when you have bumped into someone, interrupted them, or want to sound sincerely sorry.
- very formal
"Please excuse me", a very formal and tactful apology.
When to use it: Use it in formal correspondence or with a senior person when you must interrupt, leave, or ask for indulgence.
- practical
"Excuse me" in the sense of "may I pass?", said when moving through a crowd or entering/leaving a space.
When to use it: Use it when you need someone to let you get past in a doorway, on a train, or in a crowded place.
- friendly-polite
?
"May I bother you for a moment?", a soft way to interrupt someone who is busy.
When to use it: Use it in shops, offices, or hotels when you need to ask a quick question of someone who is clearly occupied.
In a conversation
- A
, ?
Excuse me, do you know where the station is?
- B
, .
Yes, straight ahead and then to the right.
- A
, .
Thank you very much, that's very kind.
Common mistakes
Scusa mi, sa dov'è il bagno?→ Mi scusi, sa dov'è il bagno?In Italian the pronoun comes before the verb in "Mi scusi", or attaches to the verb in the informal "Scusami"; "scusa mi" as two separate words is not natural.
Mi dispiace, dov'è il bagno?→ Mi scusi, dov'è il bagno?"Mi dispiace" expresses regret for something that happened; it is not the standard way to get a stranger's attention politely.