Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sorry'

English Word: sorry

Key Russian Translations:

• Извините /ɪzˈvʲinʲɪtʲe/ - [Formal, Used in polite or public settings, e.g., when addressing strangers or in professional contexts]
• Извини /ɪzˈvʲinʲɪ/ - [Informal, Plural or when speaking to friends/family, e.g., in casual conversations]
• Прости /ˈprostʲi/ - [Informal, Emotional or intimate apologies, e.g., in personal relationships]

Frequency: High (This word and its translations are commonly used in everyday Russian conversations, appearing frequently in both spoken and written language.)

Difficulty: A1 for Извините and Извини (Beginner level, as they are basic expressions); A2 for Прости (Still beginner but slightly more context-dependent due to emotional nuance).

Pronunciation (Russian):

Извините: /ɪzˈvʲinʲɪtʲe/

Извини: /ɪzˈvʲinʲɪ/

Прости: /ˈprostʲi/

Note on Извините: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'z' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. It often softens in rapid speech.

Note on Извини: Similar to Извините but shorter; the ending '-и' indicates informality and can vary slightly in regional accents.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Expressing apology or regret for a mistake, inconvenience, or interruption.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Извините - Used in formal contexts, such as public apologies or when speaking to authorities; conveys politeness and respect.
• Извини - Informal apology among peers or in everyday situations; implies familiarity and less formality.
• Прости - For deeper, emotional regrets, like in personal conflicts; often used in intimate settings.

Usage Examples:

• Извините, я не хотел вас обидеть. (Izvinite, ya ne khotel vas obidet'.)

  Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. (Formal context, showing politeness in a social mistake.)

• Извини, я опоздал на встречу. (Izvini, ya opozdal na vstrechu.)

  Sorry, I'm late for the meeting. (Informal setting with a friend, highlighting everyday lateness.)

• Прости, я был неправ в нашем споре. (Prosti, ya byl neprav v nashem spore.)

  Sorry, I was wrong in our argument. (Emotional, personal apology in a relationship.)

• Извините, можно пройти? (Izvinite, mozhno proyti'?)

  Sorry, may I pass? (Polite interruption in public spaces, like on public transport.)

• Извини, я забыл твой подарок. (Izvini, ya zabyt tvoi podarok.)

  Sorry, I forgot your gift. (Casual forgetfulness among friends, emphasizing regret.)

Secondary Meaning: Expressing sympathy or regret in response to bad news.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Извините - In formal condolences; less common but used in professional sympathy.
• Прости - More personal, for expressing sorrow in close relationships.

Usage Examples:

• Извините, я сожалею о вашей утрате. (Izvinite, ya sozhaleyu o vashey utrate.)

  Sorry, I regret your loss. (Formal sympathy at a funeral or in writing.)

• Прости, это ужасно, что так получилось. (Prosti, eto uzhasno, chto tak poluchilos'.)

  Sorry, it's awful that this happened. (Informal emotional support to a friend.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are primarily derived from the verb "извинить" (to excuse), which is irregular in its imperative forms. They do not change much as standalone expressions but can inflect based on context.

For Извините and Извини (imperative forms of извинить):

For Прости (from прощать, to forgive):

This is also an imperative form and remains largely invariant in apologetic contexts. It does not inflect for number in everyday use.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Простите - Similar to Извините but slightly more emphatic in formal settings.
  • Сожалею - Means "I regret," used for expressing sympathy; less direct than Извините.
  • Извиняюсь - First-person form, meaning "I apologize," for self-directed apologies.
• Antonyms:
  • Не извиняйся - Don't apologize (informal negation).
  • Не беспокойтесь - Don't worry (implies no need for apology).

Related Phrases:

• Извините за опоздание - Sorry for being late; used in professional or social delays. (Expresses regret for tardiness.)
• Прости меня, пожалуйста - Forgive me, please; an emotional plea in personal conflicts. (Emphasizes sincerity in apologies.)
• Извините, я не понял - Sorry, I didn't understand; common in conversations for clarification. (Combines apology with request.)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, the choice between Извините, Извини, and Прости depends on the level of formality and relationship: use Извините for strangers or public settings to maintain politeness, as it's equivalent to the English "sorry" in formal contexts. Извини is more casual, like "sorry" among friends, while Прости carries emotional weight, similar to "forgive me." Be mindful of grammar; these are imperatives and don't require additional verbs in simple apologies. English speakers often overuse "sorry," so in Russian, reserve it for genuine regrets to avoid dilution.

• Tip: In business emails, start with Извините to mirror English politeness.
• Context: Russians may appreciate a follow-up explanation, e.g., "Извините, но..." (Sorry, but...).

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse formality levels: for example, using Извини in a formal setting, which might sound rude. Correct: In a professional email, say "Извините за задержку" instead of "Извини за задержку." Another error is translating "sorry" directly without context, leading to overuse; incorrect example: "Извини" for minor interruptions, which can make it seem insincere. Right way: Reserve Прости for deeper regrets to match emotional intensity.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, apologies like Извините are crucial for maintaining social harmony, especially in crowded urban environments like Moscow. However, Russians might not apologize as frequently as English speakers for trivial matters, viewing it as a sign of weakness. Прости can carry a more profound connotation, often linked to literature and films where forgiveness plays a key role in relationships, reflecting themes in Russian classics like those by Dostoevsky.

Related Concepts:

• Сожалею (I regret)
• Простить (To forgive)
• Извинение (Apology)