Quick answer: use przepraszam for an apology or excuse me
Say Przepraszam when you made a mistake, need someone's attention, interrupt, pass through a crowd, or ask a stranger a question. Add za plus accusative to name the reason: Przepraszam za spóźnienie means I am sorry for being late.
Say Przykro mi when you feel sorry about someone's difficulty or regret that a situation is true: Przykro mi, że to słyszę means I am sorry to hear that.
| Situation | Polish | Natural English |
|---|---|---|
| you made a mistake | Przepraszam. | I am sorry. |
| you need attention | Przepraszam... | Excuse me... |
| you express sympathy | Przykro mi. | I am sorry to hear that. |
| you ask forgiveness informally | Wybacz mi. | Forgive me. |
| you ask forgiveness formally | Proszę mi wybaczyć. | Please forgive me. |
Pronounce przepraszam in three steady parts
Break przepraszam into prze-pra-szam. The written rz has the usual Polish sound shared with ż, and the final sz is the hard sound from the sz, cz, rz guide. Stress falls on pra, the next-to-last syllable.
Przykro begins with the consonant cluster prz. Mi is short and unstressed in Przykro mi. Practice the full phrase rather than adding English vowel sounds between the Polish consonants.
Use przepraszam za plus the reason
After przepraszam za, the reason normally appears in accusative. This pattern works for nouns and verbal nouns: za błąd, za hałas, za spóźnienie, and za przerwanie.
| Polish | English | Repair |
|---|---|---|
| Przepraszam za spóźnienie. | I am sorry for being late. | Już jestem. — I am here now. |
| Przepraszam za błąd. | I am sorry for the mistake. | Zaraz go poprawię. — I will correct it now. |
| Przepraszam za hałas. | I am sorry for the noise. | Będziemy ciszej. — We will be quieter. |
| Przepraszam za zamieszanie. | I am sorry for the confusion. | Już wyjaśniam. — I will explain. |
Apologize for a clause with że
Use przepraszam, że plus a complete clause when the reason is best expressed as an event: Przepraszam, że nie zadzwoniłem means I am sorry I did not call, said by a male speaker. A female speaker says nie zadzwoniłam.
| Speaker | Polish | English |
|---|---|---|
| male | Przepraszam, że się spóźniłem. | I am sorry I was late. |
| female | Przepraszam, że się spóźniłam. | I am sorry I was late. |
| any | Przepraszam, że przeszkadzam. | I am sorry to disturb you. |
| any | Przepraszam, że pytam. | Sorry for asking. |
Use excuse me to get attention, interrupt, or pass
Opening with przepraszam helps establish polite contact, but the request that follows still needs the appropriate formal or informal form.
| Situation | Polish | English |
|---|---|---|
| ask a stranger | Przepraszam, gdzie jest dworzec? | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| interrupt | Przepraszam, że przerywam. | Sorry to interrupt. |
| move through | Przepraszam, mogę przejść? | Excuse me, may I pass? |
| did not hear | Przepraszam, czy może Pan powtórzyć? | Sorry, could you repeat that? |
| leave briefly | Przepraszam na chwilę. | Excuse me for a moment. |
Use przykro mi for sympathy and unwelcome information
Przykro mi does not automatically accept fault. If you caused harm, use przepraszam and state what you are apologizing for.
| Polish | English | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Przykro mi, że to słyszę. | I am sorry to hear that. | sympathy |
| Bardzo mi przykro. | I am very sorry. | stronger sympathy or regret |
| Przykro mi z powodu twojej straty. | I am sorry for your loss. | condolence or sympathy |
| Przykro mi, ale nie mogę pomóc. | I am sorry, but I cannot help. | unwelcome answer |
Ask for forgiveness with wybacz or proszę wybaczyć
These forms are stronger than a routine excuse me. Use them when genuine forgiveness is relevant, not merely to attract a stranger's attention.
| Polish | English | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Wybacz. | Forgive me. | one familiar person |
| Wybacz mi. | Forgive me. | informal with dative mi |
| Wybaczcie mi. | Forgive me. | several familiar people |
| Proszę mi wybaczyć. | Please forgive me. | formal or respectful |
| Mam nadzieję, że mi wybaczysz. | I hope you will forgive me. | personal, informal |
Reply to an apology without dismissing serious harm
A response should fit the seriousness of the event. Nic się nie stało is useful for a small bump or interruption, but it should not be taught as an obligation to minimize meaningful harm.
| Polish | English | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Nic się nie stało. | Nothing happened / It is okay. | minor accident |
| Nie ma sprawy. | No problem. | informal minor issue |
| W porządku. | It is all right. | acceptance or reassurance |
| Rozumiem. | I understand. | acknowledges the explanation |
| Potrzebuję czasu. | I need time. | does not offer immediate forgiveness |
Common mistakes with Polish sorry phrases
- Use przepraszam for an apology or excuse me; use przykro mi primarily for sympathy or regret.
- After przepraszam za, use an accusative reason: za błąd and za spóźnienie.
- Match spóźniłem or spóźniłam to the speaker's gender.
- Do not use wybacz as a routine attention-getter; it asks for forgiveness.
- Do not translate I am sorry for your loss as a bare przepraszam, which can imply responsibility.
- Pair an important apology with a specific repair rather than adding only stronger adverbs.
Test what you just learned
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I am sorry.
Przepraszam.
The general everyday apology.
I am sorry for being late.
Przepraszam za spóźnienie.
Za plus accusative reason.
Excuse me, where is the station?
Przepraszam, gdzie jest dworzec?
Polite contact with a stranger.
Excuse me, may I pass?
Przepraszam, mogę przejść?
Useful in a crowd or on transport.
I am sorry to hear that.
Przykro mi, że to słyszę.
Sympathy, not an admission of fault.
I am very sorry.
Bardzo mi przykro.
Context determines sympathy or regret.
Forgive me.
Wybacz mi.
One familiar person.
It is okay; nothing happened.
Nic się nie stało.
For a minor problem.
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Example Polish practice
Przepraszam.
The general everyday apology.
Przepraszam za spóźnienie.
Za plus accusative reason.
Przepraszam, gdzie jest dworzec?
Polite contact with a stranger.
Przepraszam, mogę przejść?
Useful in a crowd or on transport.
Przykro mi, że to słyszę.
Sympathy, not an admission of fault.
Bardzo mi przykro.
Context determines sympathy or regret.
Wybacz mi.
One familiar person.
Nic się nie stało.
For a minor problem.
Audio uses your browser's Polish voice unless a reviewed recording is available.
FAQ
How do you say sorry in Polish?
Use Przepraszam for an apology. Use Przykro mi when expressing sympathy or regret about someone's situation.
How do you say excuse me in Polish?
Przepraszam is the standard attention-getter: Przepraszam, gdzie jest dworzec? means Excuse me, where is the station?
What is the difference between przepraszam and przykro mi?
Przepraszam apologizes or asks to be excused. Przykro mi expresses sympathy, sadness, or regret and does not necessarily accept responsibility.
How do you apologize for something specific?
Use Przepraszam za plus an accusative noun, such as Przepraszam za błąd, or Przepraszam, że plus a clause.
How do you say forgive me in Polish?
Wybacz mi is informal singular. Proszę mi wybaczyć is formal or respectful.
How do you respond to przepraszam?
For a minor issue, Nic się nie stało, Nie ma sprawy, or W porządku may fit. Serious situations do not require an immediate minimizing response.
How do you say I am sorry for your loss in Polish?
Przykro mi z powodu twojej straty expresses sympathy. In a formal or specific condolence, wording should be adapted carefully to the relationship.
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