izvini / izvinite

Sorry and Excuse Me

Level 1

Izvini and izvinite say sorry or excuse me, and the ending shows who you are talking to.

How It Works

Both forms come from the same verb and work as sorry and as excuse me.

FormTalking to
izvinione friend or family member
izviniteone person you call vi, or a group
oprosti / oprostitesimilar; oprostite is common with strangers

Use them to get attention (Izvinite, gdje je stanica?), to say sorry for a mistake (Izvini, kasnim.), or to pass someone in a crowded place. A short Nema problema or Nema veze is a common answer.

Some people prefer oprosti, and other forms may be common in another town. All of them are fine, and the lessons use izvini.

Examples (5)

  1. Izvini, Amire, kasnim.

    Sorry, Amir, I am late.

    Izvini to a friend.

  2. Izvinite, gdje je stanica?

    Excuse me, where is the station?

    Izvinite to a stranger.

  3. Izvinite, djeco, kasnim.

    Sorry, kids, I am late.

    Izvinite to a group.

  4. Oprostite, koliko je sati?

    Excuse me, what time is it?

    Oprostite as a polite alternative.

  5. Nema problema.

    No problem.

    A common reply.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

izvini / izviniteLevel 1Sorry and Excuse Me

Learn This First

Apologies use the same polite register as thanks.

Words in This Pattern

izviniteoprostioprostiteizviniti