Forgiving in Italian: Accepting an Apology and Moving On
Learn elementary Italian phrases to accept an apology, say it's okay, and move on, with pronunciation, a dialogue, and practice.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
When someone apologizes to you in Italian, you are the receiver, so your reply is different from making an apology yourself. This lesson teaches short, natural phrases to accept an apology, reassure the other person, and move on. You will learn when to use informal tu forms with friends and family, and when to use polite Lei forms with strangers, older people, or in formal situations.
By the end, you can…
- accept an apology in Italian and say that it is okay.
- reassure someone not to worry and move on politely.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Va bene, non preoccuparti.
It's okay, don't worry.
vah BEH-neh, non preh-oh-koo-PAR-tee
Informal singular; use with friends, family, or people you know well.
Non ti preoccupare, capita.
Don't worry, it happens.
non tee preh-oh-koo-PAR-eh, KAH-pee-tah
Informal; softens the situation by saying mistakes are normal.
Apprezzo le tue scuse.
I appreciate your apology.
ahp-PRET-tsoh leh TOO-eh SKOO-zeh
Informal; more sincere and explicit, useful when the apology matters.
Va bene, non si preoccupi.
It's okay, don't worry.
vah BEH-neh, non see preh-oh-KOO-pee
Formal Lei form; use with strangers, older people, or in professional settings.
Non c'è problema, andiamo avanti.
No problem, let's move on.
non cheh proh-BLEH-mah, an-DYAH-moh ah-VAN-tee
Neutral and friendly; signals that the matter is closed.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To accept an apology, start with a short reassurance such as Va bene (It's okay) or Non c'è problema (No problem). Then add a form of non preoccuparti for informal tu, or non si preoccupi for formal Lei. For example: Va bene, non preoccuparti. / Va bene, non si preoccupi. If you want to sound more appreciative, say Apprezzo le tue scuse (informal) or Apprezzo le sue scuse (formal).
When to use it
Use informal forms with friends, family, classmates, and people your age. Use formal Lei forms with strangers, older people, customers, or anyone you address as Lei. If the apology is serious, a simple Va bene may sound too light; add Apprezzo le tue scuse or Grazie per le scuse. To close the topic, use andiamo avanti (let's move on) or tutto a posto (everything is fine).
Register and regional notes
Standard Italian uses tu for one person you know well and Lei for polite distance. In much of southern Italy, voi is still heard as a polite singular, but standard contemporary Italian prefers Lei. Non c'è problema is common throughout Italy; in some regions people also say Non c'è di che, but that usually means 'you're welcome' after thanks, not after an apology.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Scusa, ho dimenticato il nostro appuntamento.
Sorry, I forgot our appointment.SKOO-zah, oh dee-men-tee-KAH-toh eel NOH-stroh ap-pun-tah-MEN-tohVa bene, non preoccuparti. Capita.
It's okay, don't worry. It happens.vah BEH-neh, non preh-oh-koo-PAR-tee. KAH-pee-tahGrazie, apprezzo che tu sia così comprensivo.
Thank you, I appreciate that you are so understanding.GRAH-tsee-eh, ahp-PRET-tsoh keh too SEE-ah koh-ZEE kom-prehn-SEE-vohNon c'è problema, andiamo avanti.
No problem, let's move on.non cheh proh-BLEH-mah, an-DYAH-moh ah-VAN-teeA little context goes a long way
In Italian, accepting an apology often includes a small reassurance to protect the relationship. Va bene is neutral, while Non ti preoccupare is warmer. With formal Lei, use Non si preoccupi. Avoid a flat Va bene if the other person seems very upset; add a kind phrase such as Capita or Grazie per le scuse.
One thing to watch for
Using Mi dispiace to accept an apology, as in Mi dispiace, va bene.
Try this instead: Mi dispiace means 'I'm sorry' and is used when you apologize, not when you forgive. To accept an apology, say Va bene, non preoccuparti or Non c'è problema. Use Mi dispiace only if you are the one saying sorry: Mi dispiace, ho sbagliato.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1A friend says Scusa, sono in ritardo. Give an informal reply that means 'It's okay, don't worry.'
Show a sample answer
Va bene, non preoccuparti.
This uses the informal tu form non preoccuparti and accepts the apology. Non c'è problema, non ti preoccupare is also correct.
2An older colleague says Mi scusi, ho sbagliato. Give a polite reply.
Show a sample answer
Va bene, non si preoccupi.
The Lei form non si preoccupi matches the formal context. Non c'è problema, non si preoccupi is also acceptable.
3You want to say 'I appreciate your apology' to someone you address as tu. Which phrase do you use?
Show a sample answer
Apprezzo le tue scuse.
Apprezzo means 'I appreciate' and le tue scuse means 'your apology' in the informal singular. For formal Lei, say Apprezzo le sue scuse.
When you forgive in Italian, you are the receiver: reassure with Va bene or Non c'è problema, choose non preoccuparti for informal tu or non si preoccupi for formal Lei, and close with andiamo avanti.
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