Polish · Greetings & Essentials
"I'm sorry" in Polish: przepraszam
przepraszam
I'm sorry in Polish is przepraszam. Przepraszam apologizes for your action or requests attention; przykro mi expresses regret or sympathy.
A first use of i'm sorry
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How to pronounce przepraszam
Say it
pzheprasham
/pʂɛpraʂam/
In przepraszam, sz is a hard sh-like sound; rz and ż normally share a zh-like sound, with devoicing in some positions. The content words in przepraszam normally use penultimate stress when they have multiple syllables.
"I'm sorry" in Polish: quick reference
| Polish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| przepraszam | I'm sorry The main expression for i'm sorry. | The main expression for i'm sorry. |
| przykro mi | I'm sorry Alternative wording; compare its context and register below. | Alternative wording; compare its context and register below. |
How to use przepraszam in real life
- 1A first use of i'm sorry
Przepraszam za spóźnienie.
Sorry for being late.
This is a natural setting for przepraszam.
- 2A second conversational context
Przepraszam, to moja pomyłka.
Sorry, that is my mistake.
Notice how przepraszam fits with the surrounding words here.
- 3Another practical use
Bardzo przepraszam za kłopot.
I am very sorry for the trouble.
Przepraszam apologizes for your action or requests attention; przykro mi expresses regret or sympathy.
Mistakes English speakers make with przepraszam
Incorrect: ja przepraszać
Correct: przepraszam
For this meaning, the complete Polish form is przepraszam. Przepraszam apologizes for your action or requests attention; przykro mi expresses regret or sympathy.
Incorrect: przepraszam za spóźnić
Correct: przepraszam
Keep the wording and grammatical forms in przepraszam; the proposed form changes or breaks this expression.
Good to know
Przepraszam apologizes for your action or requests attention; przykro mi expresses regret or sympathy.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Practice i'm sorry
Partner
Co powiesz w tej sytuacji?
What will you say in this situation?
You
Przepraszam za spóźnienie.
Sorry for being late.
Partner
A w innym kontekście?
And in another context?
You
Przepraszam, to moja pomyłka.
Sorry, that is my mistake.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"I'm sorry" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "I'm sorry" in Polish
When should I say przepraszam?
Przepraszam apologizes for your action or requests attention; przykro mi expresses regret or sympathy.
Is przykro mi another way to say i'm sorry?
Przykro mi is a useful related expression. The main form here is przepraszam; choose the wording that fits the person and context.
What wording should I avoid with przepraszam?
Avoid ja przepraszać. The correct expression is przepraszam; Przepraszam apologizes for your action or requests attention; przykro mi expresses regret or sympathy.
Can you show przepraszam in a sentence?
Bardzo przepraszam za kłopot. — I am very sorry for the trouble.
Use these words in a conversation
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