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How to Say ‘Sorry, I didn't mean to bother you.’ in Italian

Scusa, non volevo disturbarti.

SKOO-zah nohn voh-LEH-voh dee-stoor-BAR-tee

[SKOO-zah nohn voh-LEH-voh dee-stoor-BAR-tee]

Phrase Breakdown

Scusa,

SKOO-zah

Sorry,

This is the informal apology. Stress: SCÙ-sa.

Example

Scusa, ho sbagliato.

Sorry, I made a mistake.

Words in this phrase

Scusa

[SKOO-zah]

sorry

Feeling regret or penitence.

Example

Devo dire scusa per il ritardo.

I must say sorry for the delay.

non volevo disturbarti.

nohn voh-LEH-voh dee-stoor-BAR-tee

I didn't mean to bother you.

'Non volevo' means 'I didn't want'. Add 'disturbarti', which means 'to bother you'.

Example

Non volevo disturbarti così tardi.

I didn't mean to bother you so late.

Words in this phrase

non

[nohn]

not

This word negates the verb that follows it.

Example

Non c'é nessuno.

There is no one.

volevo

[voh-LEH-voh]

I wanted

An imperfect form often used politely in emails or messages, like 'I wanted to...'.

Example

Volevo scriverti per ringraziarti del tempo dedicato.

I wanted to write to thank you for the time you dedicated.

disturbarti

[dee-stoor-BAR-tee]

to disturb you

Verb 'disturbare' (to bother) plus 'ti' (you), informal.

Example

Non voglio disturbarti.

I don't want to bother you.

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