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How to Say ‘Excuse me’ in Italian

Mi scusi

mee SKOO-zee

[mee SKOO-zee]

💬 Usage Tip: scusi is the polite form you use with someone you'd address formally. With a friend it becomes scusa.

🇮🇹 In Italy: This is the standard way to stop a stranger on the street. It's polite without being stiff, and it works with anyone regardless of age.

Phrase Breakdown

[mee]

Reflexive/object pronoun; with 'scusi' forms 'excuse me'.

Example

Mi scusi, signore.

Excuse me, sir.

scusi

[SKOO-zee]

excuse / forgive

Formal verb form used in Mi scusi, a polite way to say excuse me or I am sorry.

Example

Mi scusi, questa tariffa mi sembra alta.

Excuse me, this fare seems high to me.

Guides for Italian learners

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