How do you say “Excuse me” in Italian? As always, there isn’t a straight answer, because it’s not just scusa or scusi. There are a few expressions to say “Excuse me” in Italian, depending on the situation, who you’re talking to, and how formal you want to sound.
Let’s break it down with real-life examples that also match polite expressions like “please” in Italian to make your conversational skills shine.
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Scusa/Scusami (informal)
The straightforward translation of “Excuse me” in Italian is scusami (scusa = excuse, mi = me) or simply scusa.
- Scusa, che cosa hai detto? = Excuse me, what did you say?
- Scusa, posso entrare nel negozio con il cane? = Excuse me, can I enter the shop with the dog?
- Scusami, sai che ora è? = Excuse me, do you know what time it is?
These Italian expressions are your go-to phrases when talking to friends, classmates, or people your age.
Scusi (formal)
If you’re talking to someone you don’t know, someone older than you, or in a formal environment, you can say scusi or mi scusi instead. The verb is the same as the previous expression, but you use the pronoun lei (she) as the formal, singular “you” in Italian.
- Mi scusi, sa dov’è fermata dell’autobus? = Excuse me, do you know where the bus stop is?
- Scusi, non ho capito. Potrebbe ripetere? = Excuse me, I didn’t understand. Could you repeat?
In Italy, politeness matters. So learn how to say “Thank you” in Italian to reply when someone helps you after you ask for something.
Scusate (plural; informal or formal)
Scusate is the plural version of scusa and scusi. It works in formal and informal situations, and you’ll want to use it when talking to more than one person. It pairs with voi, the plural “you” in Italian.
- Scusate, a che ora passa il treno? = Excuse me, what time does the train leave?
- Scusate, avete un tavolo per due? = Excuse me, do you have a table for two?
Permesso (“permission”)
This expression is super handy in crowded spaces. Permesso means “permission,” and it’s used like “Excuse me” in Italian when you need to squeeze past someone or enter a room.
- Permesso, posso passare? = Excuse me, can I get through?
If you hear this, you’ll notice that native speakers often reply with prego. The Italian word prego means “You’re welcome,” but in this case, it’s more like saying, “Please, go ahead.” It often comes with subtle Italian hand gestures, like a charming little wave or a hand sweep to make room.
Mi perdoni (“forgive me”)
A bit more dramatic, mi perdoni comes from the verb perdonare (to forgive). You can use it in formal settings, such as when politely interrupting a stranger or someone in a higher position, like a professor or your boss.
- Mi perdoni se la interrompo. = Excuse me for interrupting.
In this context, mi perdoni refers to the formal “you” and means “Excuse me.” However, if you hear it as a question in an informal setting, it could instead mean “sorry” in Italian: Mi perdoni? (Can you forgive me?).
Pardon (slang)
Pardon is less common nowadays, but it has been part of Italian slang, and you can still hear it, especially in northeastern Italy. It’s a quick, polite way to say “sorry” or “Excuse me” when the inconvenience is minimal, like if you’re making your way through a crowd or didn’t quite catch what someone said.
- Sono cinque euro e venti. = That’ll be five euros and twenty cents.
- Pardon? = Excuse me?
Why it’s important to learn different ways to say ‘Excuse me’ in Italian
Italians won’t mind small grammar mistakes, but choosing the wrong communication style in Italian—too informal or too formal—can feel like a cultural shock. That’s why it’s so valuable to master more Italian words that let you adapt to the context, whether you want to sound friendly, respectful, casual, or apologetic when you say “Excuse me.”
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