Promiňte / Promiň

Use these formulas to apologize for minor bumps, casual lateness, or to get someone's attention before asking a question.

How to use them:

• By themselves: Promiňte! (Excuse me! / Sorry!)
• With a reason (clause): Add že (that) to explain why you are sorry. Promiň, že jdu pozdě. (Sorry that I'm late.)
• With a reason (noun): To apologize for a specific thing using promiň(te), use the direct accusative case (without a preposition), often with the dative pronoun mi: Promiň mi to zpoždění. (Forgive me the delay.) Alternatively, you can use the verb omlouvat se (to apologize) with za (for) + accusative: Omlouvám se za zpoždění. (I apologize for the delay.) Note: You might hear people say Promiň za to zpoždění, but this is a strictly informal habit influenced by omlouvám se za and is not considered standard grammar.
• With a pronoun: You can add the dative pronoun mi (to me) to literally say 'forgive me': Promiňte mi. You can also add to (it) to say 'forgive me for it' (literally 'forgive it to me'): Promiňte mi to.

How to respond:
When someone apologizes to you, common and polite responses include To nic (It's nothing) or Nic se nestalo (Nothing happened).

Important distinctions:
Do not confuse Promiňte with S dovolením. Use S dovolením (literally 'with permission') when you need to physically squeeze past someone on a crowded bus or train, or when intruding on someone's personal space (like reaching across a table or taking an empty chair). For tiny physical micro-collisions (like lightly brushing past someone), the loanword Pardon is commonly used as a quick reflex. For genuine errors or professional situations (like making a mistake at work or being late to a formal meeting), use the standard formal verb omlouvám se (I apologize). While Promiň, že jdu pozdě is perfect for casual lateness with friends, Omlouvám se za zpoždění is expected in formal contexts. For truly serious or emotional situations, use phrases expressing deep regret, such as Je mi to líto or Mrzí mě to (I am sorry / I regret it).

Pronunciation tip: The ň is a soft sound (like the 'ny' in canyon). In promiňte, you must pronounce this soft sound directly before the hard 't'.