How to Say Sorry in Russian: Casual and Formal
Russian splits sorry by formality, and the difference between the informal and formal forms is one letter that matters a lot. Here are the words, how to pronounce them, and when to reach for each.
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The quick answer
To a friend, say Извини izvini (iz-vee-NEE). To someone you address formally, or to more than one person, say Извините izvinite (iz-vee-NEE-tye). Both mean sorry or excuse me and are your everyday tools.
When you feel genuine regret or sympathy, add Мне очень жаль mne ochen zhal (mnye OH-chen zhal), meaning I'm very sorry. That is the phrase for real weight, including expressing condolences.
Casual ways to say sorry
With friends, Извини izvini is the standard. A softer, more heartfelt informal option is Прости prosti (pra-STEE), which literally means forgive me and feels a bit more personal, closer to I'm sorry after you upset someone.
Young people also use сорри sorri (the English sorry) in casual chat, and Извиняюсь izvinyayus as a quick, colloquial sorry, though some purists consider it less correct. For friends, izvini and prosti will always sound natural.
Formal and polite apologies
In formal situations, use Извините izvinite or the more forgiving Простите prostite (pra-STEE-tye). Both use the polite form and are safe with strangers, older people, and in professional settings.
To apologize more explicitly, say Прошу прощения proshu proshcheniya (pra-SHOO pra-SHYEH-nee-ya), meaning I beg your pardon. It sounds courteous and slightly formal, good for a sincere apology or a polite interruption. Add пожалуйста pozhaluysta (please) to soften further.
Izvini vs prosti
These two overlap but carry a slightly different feel. Извини izvini is closer to excuse me or a light sorry: you use it for interruptions, small mistakes, and getting attention. Прости prosti literally asks for forgiveness and feels warmer and more emotional, so it fits when you have genuinely upset someone.
For example, bumping into someone on the metro is izvinite. Apologizing to a close friend you hurt is prosti. Russians often say Прости меня prosti menya (forgive me) for a heartfelt apology.
Russian sorry phrases at a glance
- Извини izvini (iz-vee-NEE) — sorry / excuse me, informal
- Извините izvinite (iz-vee-NEE-tye) — sorry / excuse me, formal or plural
- Прости prosti (pra-STEE) — forgive me, informal and warm
- Простите prostite (pra-STEE-tye) — forgive me, formal
- Мне очень жаль mne ochen zhal (mnye OH-chen zhal) — I'm very sorry / my condolences
- Прошу прощения proshu proshcheniya (pra-SHOO pra-SHYEH-nee-ya) — I beg your pardon, formal
- Прости меня prosti menya (pra-STEE me-NYA) — forgive me (heartfelt)
Choose by warmth and formality: izvini(te) for excuse-me, prosti(te) for forgiveness.
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Common mistakes learners make
The biggest mistake is using the informal Извини with a stranger or an older person. The formal Извините with that final -те is what politeness expects. When unsure, use the longer form.
Second, do not use Мне очень жаль as an excuse-me. It expresses regret or sympathy, not let me pass. For getting by someone, use izvinite.
Third, the stress and the zh sound in zhal trip people up. It is like the s in pleasure. And the unstressed o in ochen sounds like a short a.
How to respond to an apology
When someone apologizes, common replies are Ничего nichego (nee-chee-VO, it's nothing), Всё в порядке vsyo v poryadke (everything's fine), and Ничего страшного nichego strashnogo (no big deal). These are gentle, reassuring answers.
Note that in nichego the g is pronounced like a v, a quirk worth memorizing. Learning these replies lets you accept an apology smoothly and keep the conversation going.
Make it automatic
Russian stress and consonant clusters are exactly the kind of thing that only settle once you say the words out loud. Practice izvinite, prosti, and mne ochen zhal until the stress lands naturally and the endings do not slow you down.
Run a few small scenes aloud: excusing yourself past someone, apologizing to a friend, offering sympathy. Pick the right phrase for each. Rehearsing these short exchanges out loud, even with an AI speaking partner, builds the reflex so the correct form, formal or warm, comes out without hesitation.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the most common way to say sorry in Russian?
Izvini to a friend and izvinite to someone formal or to a group. Both mean sorry or excuse me and cover most everyday situations.
What is the difference between izvini and prosti?
Izvini is closer to excuse me for small slips and interruptions. Prosti literally means forgive me and is warmer, used when you have genuinely upset someone.
Why does izvinite have -te at the end?
The -te ending marks the polite or plural form. Use izvinite with strangers, older people, and in formal settings, and izvini only with friends.
How do I express sympathy or say I'm very sorry?
Say Mne ochen zhal, which means I'm very sorry. It works for genuine regret and for offering condolences, but not as an excuse-me.