sorry in Esperanto

“Sorry” in Esperanto is Pardonu! (par-DOH-noo), literally “forgive (me)”, from pardoni. It covers small slips such as bumping into someone or interrupting. For real regret, say Mi bedaŭras (mee beh-DOW-rahs, “I regret it”), and for a formal apology Mi pardonpetas.

Other ways to say it

• Pardonu min!Forgive me! / Sorry!
• Mi bedaŭras.I’m sorry. (I regret it.)
• Mi pardonpetas.I apologise. (more formal)

How to reply

• Ne gravas.It doesn’t matter.
• Ne zorgu.Don’t worry.

Example sentences

• Pardonu min pro la malfruiĝo!Sorry for the delay!
• Mi bedaŭras, sed tio ne eblas.I’m sorry, but that is not possible.

Esperantopedia · Tatoeba, CC BY 2.0 FR

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