- Spiacente
- Dispiace
- Scusi
What are the precise contexts of the word usage of the aforementioned words for sorry?
Grazie
asked Dec 23, 2017 at 2:48
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3“Mi dispiace”, non “Dispiace”.– DaGDec 23, 2017 at 10:37
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1 Answer
I look at http://www.wordreference.com/enit/sorry to clarify the different usage of the italian words you mention:
- "Spiacente" and "Mi dispiace" are pretty equivalent, and are used with "regretful" or "sympathetic" meaning.
Examples:
"I am sorry that you were sick" = "Mi dispiace che tu fossi malato".
"Sorry, but we sold out the tickets" = "Mi dispiace, i biglietti sono finiti". Please note that this example is more formal and you can as well use "Spiacente" ("Spiacente, i biglietti sono finiti")
- "Scusi" or "Mi scusi" when are used at the beginning of the phrase like an introduction, have the meaning of "Excuse me" or "please repeat"
Examples:
"Excuse me, sir; may I ask you something?" = "Mi scusi, posso farle una domanda?".
"Sorry? I have not understood" = "Scusi? Non ho capito".
When used alone, "Scusi" has the same meaning of "My apologies", and can be replaced with "Mi dispiace" (but "Scusi" is more polite).
answered Dec 23, 2017 at 16:32
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2"Spiacente" is a little bit more formal than "mi dispiace". Have a look at: linkiesta.it/it/article/2015/12/12/….– Charo ♦Dec 23, 2017 at 17:50
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And how about this expression: "Scusi posso" ? Grazie tanto Dec 24, 2017 at 5:03
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