How to Say Excuse Me in Italian: Scusi vs Scusa, Pronunciation and Polite Use
Learn to say excuse me in Italian with scusi and scusa. Get pronunciation, formal and informal use, polite interruption, and how to address someone as signore or signora.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
Use scusi when addressing one person with formal Lei, and scusa when using informal tu. Both can get attention or introduce an apology. The choice depends on the relationship and setting. In this lesson, listen to a train-station conversation, ask whether a seat is free, and distinguish a helpful answer from a reply saying the speaker does not know.
By the end, you can…
- say excuse me in Italian using scusi and scusa correctly.
- pronounce scusi and scusa clearly and use them to get attention or interrupt politely.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Scusi.
Excuse me. (formal)
SKOO-zee
Use when addressing one person with formal Lei. It is a useful choice when approaching someone you do not know in a formal or service setting.
Scusa.
Excuse me. (informal)
SKOO-zah
Use when addressing one person with informal tu, such as a friend. Familiarity and the setting matter; age alone does not determine the form.
Mi scusi.
Excuse me. (formal)
mee SKOO-zee
A fuller formal Lei form. The extra mi means me; it does not create a separate mandatory level of politeness.
Scusi, signore.
Excuse me, sir.
SKOO-zee, see-NYOH-reh
Addresses a man as sir in this recorded example. The title is optional; the speaker can get attention with Scusi alone.
Scusi, per favore.
Excuse me, please.
SKOO-zee, pehr fah-VOH-reh
Combines an attention-getter with please. In the dialogue, listen to the complete attention-getter followed by the actual question.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
Scusa is the tu imperative; scusi is the corresponding formal Lei request. Mi scusi adds me. In the recording, A says Scusi, signore, è libero questo posto? to ask whether the seat is free. B replies Sì, è libero. Prego, si accomodi.: yes, it is free, please have a seat. Listen to the full lines before repeating them. The first person asks; the second answers and invites the person to sit.
When to use it
The second question concerns the train to Rome: Grazie mille. Scusi, sa se il treno per Roma è in ritardo? asks whether the other person knows if it is delayed. B answers Non lo so, mi dispiace. Provi a chiedere al binario. This means the speaker does not know and suggests asking at the platform. It does not confirm a delay or give a departure time. First identify what each answer actually tells you, then rehearse A and B in order. Here sa is the Lei form of sapere, and Provi is a formal Lei request meaning try.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Scusi, signore, è libero questo posto?
Excuse me, sir, is this seat free?SKOO-zee, see-NYOH-reh, eh LEE-beh-roh KWEH-stoh POH-stohSì, è libero. Prego, si accomodi.
Yes, it's free. Please, have a seat.see, eh LEE-beh-roh. PREH-goh, see ahk-KOH-moh-deeGrazie mille. Scusi, sa se il treno per Roma è in ritardo?
Thanks a lot. Excuse me, do you know if the train to Rome is delayed?GRAH-tsee-eh MEEL-leh. SKOO-zee, sah seh eel TREH-noh pehr ROH-mah eh een ree-TAR-dohNon lo so, mi dispiace. Provi a chiedere al binario.
I don't know, I'm sorry. Try asking at the platform.nohn loh soh, mee dee-SPYAH-cheh. PROH-vee ah KYEH-deh-reh ahl bee-NAH-ryohA little context goes a long way
Tu and Lei depend on the relationship and setting. Scusi is a useful formal choice when unsure how to address someone, but informal address is not automatically disrespectful. Follow the form of address appropriate to the exchange; a stranger can also invite informal tu.
One thing to watch for
Treating scusa and scusi as interchangeable while keeping the same form of address.
Try this instead: Match scusa to informal tu and scusi to formal Lei. In the recorded station scene, use Scusi. With a friend you address as tu, Scusa fits. A person’s age alone is not the rule.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You are addressing one person with formal Lei. Which recorded attention-getter fits?
Show a sample answer
Scusi.
Scusi matches the formal form of address. Scusa matches informal tu.
2In the dialogue, is the seat available, and has a train delay been confirmed?
Show a sample answer
The seat is available. The speaker does not know whether the train is delayed.
Sì, è libero confirms the seat. Non lo so means I do not know; it does not confirm a delay.
3Play A and ask whether the seat is free, then play B and give the recorded answer.
Show a sample answer
A: Scusi, signore, è libero questo posto? B: Sì, è libero. Prego, si accomodi.
Listen to the first two dialogue recordings to check the words and speaker roles. A asks about the seat; B confirms availability and invites A to sit.
Match scusi to formal Lei and scusa to informal tu. In the station dialogue, separate the seat confirmation from the uncertain train information, then practice each question with its recorded reply.
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