Italian · Greetings & Essentials
"Excuse me" in Italian: scusi
scusi
Note: to get past: permesso
Excuse me in Italian is scusi (SKOO-zee) with strangers—the polite Lei form. With friends say scusa. To squeeze past in a crowd, permesso is the word you hear.
Stopping a stranger for directions
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How to pronounce scusi
Say it
SKOO-zee
/ˈsku.zi/
Scusi stresses SKOO: SKOO-zee. Scusa is SKOO-zah. The c is hard before u.
"Excuse me" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| scusi | excuse me (formal) Strangers, staff, older people (Lei). | Strangers, staff, older people (Lei). |
| scusa | excuse me / sorry (informal) Friends and people you call tu. | Friends and people you call tu. |
| permesso | excuse me (to pass) Moving through a crowd. | Moving through a crowd. |
| mi scusi | excuse me (formal) Slightly fuller polite form. | Slightly fuller polite form. |
How to use scusi in real life
- 1Stopping a stranger for directions
Scusi, dov'è la stazione?
Excuse me, where is the station?
Scusi is the safe opener with strangers.
- 2In a shop
Scusi, quanto costa questa sciarpa?
Excuse me, how much is this scarf?
Polite attention-getter before a question.
- 3Apologizing after bumping someone
Oh, scusi!
Oh, excuse me!
Short scusi works as a quick sorry too.
Mistakes English speakers make with scusi
Incorrect: Scusa, signore, dov'è il museo?
Correct: Scusi, signore, dov'è il museo?
Signore calls for formal scusi, not informal scusa.
Incorrect: Scusi! (pushing through a packed tram without permesso)
Correct: Permesso!
To get past, Italians often say permesso; scusi alone can sound like you only want attention.
Good to know
Scusi opens almost every polite request on the street. Among friends, scusa doubles as a soft sorry. On buses and markets, a clear permesso with a smile moves people aside faster than a long apology.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Asking for the bathroom in a café
ChatPal
Scusi, il bagno è libero?
Excuse me, is the bathroom free?
You
Scusi, non lavoro qui—chieda al bancone.
Excuse me, I don't work here—ask at the counter.
ChatPal
Ah, scusi! Chiedo lì.
Ah, excuse me! I'll ask there.
You
Nessun problema.
No problem.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Excuse me" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Excuse me" in Italian
When do I use scusi vs scusa?
Scusi with Lei (formal). Scusa with tu (informal).
What is permesso?
Excuse me when you need to pass through.
Can scusi mean sorry?
Yes—for small bumps and brief apologies. For a stronger sorry, use mi dispiace.
Is mi scusi different?
Same politeness level as scusi; a bit fuller.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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