How to Say Sorry in Turkish: Casual and Formal
Turkish gives you a nice range of ways to say sorry, from a quick borrowed pardon to a full, formal apology. The right one depends on how serious things are and how well you know the person. Here is the whole toolkit.
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What's in this guide
The quick answer
The clearest way to apologize is Özür dilerim (uh-ZUUR dee-LEH-reem), literally I ask for pardon, meaning I'm sorry / I apologize. It works in almost any situation and always sounds sincere.
For a quick, light excuse me, Turks often just say Pardon (par-DON), borrowed and very common, when bumping someone or slipping past. These two cover most of daily life.
Casual ways to say sorry
With friends, Pardon is easy and common for small things. For a casual my bad / don't mind it, Turks say Kusura bakma (koo-soo-RAH bak-MAH), literally don't look at the fault. It is warm and informal.
You can also say Üzgünüm (ooz-GUUN-uum), meaning I'm sorry / I'm sad, for genuine feeling among people you know. For a quick slip, Pardon or Kusura bakma is natural and relaxed.
Formal and polite apologies
In formal settings, use Özür dilerim or the more forgiving Affedersiniz (af-feh-DER-see-neez), which means excuse me / forgive me in the polite plural form. Use Affedersiniz with strangers, elders, and in professional contexts.
The informal version is Affedersin (af-feh-DER-seen), for friends. To ask forgiveness strongly, Beni affet (BEH-nee af-FET) means forgive me. For a serious apology you can say Çok özür dilerim (I'm very sorry).
Using Kusura bakma
Kusura bakma is a lovely, very Turkish phrase with no neat English match. It softly asks the other person not to hold a small fault against you, so it fits minor inconveniences, being a little late, or a modest favor.
The polite form is Kusura bakmayın (koo-soo-RAH bak-ma-YUHN), used with strangers or a group. You will hear it constantly, so it is worth adding to your active vocabulary alongside Özür dilerim.
Turkish sorry phrases at a glance
- Özür dilerim (uh-ZUUR dee-LEH-reem) — I'm sorry / I apologize, clear and sincere
- Çok özür dilerim (chok uh-ZUUR dee-LEH-reem) — I'm very sorry
- Pardon (par-DON) — excuse me / sorry, quick and casual
- Affedersiniz (af-feh-DER-see-neez) — excuse me / forgive me, formal
- Affedersin (af-feh-DER-seen) — excuse me, informal
- Kusura bakma / bakmayın (koo-soo-RAH bak-MAH / bak-ma-YUHN) — don't hold it against me (informal / formal)
- Üzgünüm (ooz-GUUN-uum) — I'm sorry / I'm sad
- Beni affet (BEH-nee af-FET) — forgive me, strong
Match the moment: Pardon for slips, Özür dilerim for real apologies, Affedersiniz for polite.
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Common mistakes learners make
First, mind the formal versus informal endings. Affedersiniz (formal) versus Affedersin (informal), and Kusura bakmayın versus Kusura bakma. Using the informal form with an elder or stranger can seem too casual.
Second, the Turkish ö and ü are rounded front vowels, like the German ö and ü. The ö in Özür is that rounded sound, not a plain o. Getting these vowels right makes a big difference in being understood.
Third, do not confuse Üzgünüm (I'm sad/sorry, a feeling) with an apology that takes responsibility. For actually apologizing, Özür dilerim is clearer.
How to respond to an apology
When someone apologizes, common replies are Önemli değil (uh-nem-LEE deh-EEL, it doesn't matter), Sorun değil (no problem), and Rica ederim (you're welcome / not at all). A warm Önemli değil is the go-to reassurance.
Learning these replies helps you accept an apology gracefully. They come up all the time, so they are worth memorizing next to the apologies themselves.
Make it automatic
Turkish vowels and the vowel harmony that shapes endings only settle when you say words out loud. Practice Özür dilerim, Affedersiniz, and Kusura bakma until the rounded ö and ü feel natural and the formal endings come without thinking.
Try a few small scenes aloud: slipping past someone (Pardon), apologizing sincerely (Özür dilerim), softening a small fault with a friend (Kusura bakma). Say the fitting phrase for each. Rehearsing these short exchanges out loud, even with an AI speaking partner, builds the reflex so the right register comes out instantly.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the most common way to say sorry in Turkish?
Özür dilerim is the clear, sincere way to apologize. For a quick excuse me, Turks often say the borrowed Pardon.
What does Kusura bakma mean?
It literally means don't look at the fault, a soft way to ask someone not to hold a small mistake against you. Use Kusura bakmayın in the formal or plural form.
What is the difference between Affedersiniz and Affedersin?
Both mean excuse me or forgive me. Affedersiniz is the polite or plural form for strangers and elders, while Affedersin is informal for friends.
How do I say I'm very sorry in Turkish?
Say Çok özür dilerim. For genuine feeling you can also say Üzgünüm, and to ask forgiveness strongly, Beni affet.