There are several ways to say sorry in Turkish, each suited to a different situation. Choosing the right expression shows respect and cultural awareness.
In this article, you will learn all the Turkish words and phrases for apologizing. We will cover formal and informal apologies, expressions for taking responsibility, and how to accept an apology. You will also discover important cultural tips that will help you sound natural. İyi okumalar!
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7 Ways to Say Sorry in Turkish
Turkish has several expressions for apologizing. Each one carries a different level of formality and intensity. Here is a quick overview of the most common ones:
| Turkish | English | Formality |
|---|---|---|
| Özür dilerim | I apologize | Standard / Formal |
| Affedersiniz | Excuse me (formal) | Formal |
| Affedersin | Excuse me (informal) | Informal |
| Kusura bakma | Sorry / Don’t take offense | Informal |
| Kusura bakmayın | Sorry / Don’t take offense | Formal |
| Pardon | Pardon me | Casual / Universal |
| Üzgünüm | I’m sorry (sympathy) | Neutral |
Let’s explore each expression in detail so you know exactly when and how to use them.
Özür Dilerim: The Standard Turkish Apology
Özür dilerim is the most common way to apologize in Turkish. It literally means “I wish for an apology” or “I request forgiveness.” The phrase comes from two words: özür (apology) and dilemek (to wish, to request, to beg).
You can use this expression in almost any situation. It works for both minor mistakes and more serious offenses. It is the safest choice in professional and formal contexts.
- Geç kaldığım için özür dilerim. (I apologize for being late.)
- Sana kötü davrandığım için özür dilerim. (I apologize for being mean to you.)
- Yanlış anlaşılma için özür dilerim. (I apologize for the misunderstanding.)
To make your apology stronger, add the word çok (very) before it:
- Çok özür dilerim, bunu yapmamalıydım. (I’m very sorry, I shouldn’t have done this.)
For an even more emphatic apology, you can say gerçekten özür dilerim (I’m really sorry) or tüm samimiyetimle özür dilerim (I sincerely apologize).
Affedersin(iz): Excuse Me
Affedersiniz comes from the verb affetmek (to forgive). It literally means “may you forgive” and translates to “excuse me” in English. This is the formal version, using the polite siz form.
Turkish speakers use affedersiniz mainly in two situations. First, to get someone’s attention politely. Second, to excuse yourself for a minor disruption. It is common in public spaces, workplaces, and when speaking to strangers or elders.
- Affedersiniz, saat kaç? (Excuse me, what time is it?)
- Affedersiniz, bir sorum var. (Excuse me, I have a question.)
- Affedersiniz, geçebilir miyim? (Excuse me, may I pass?)
The informal version is affedersin (using the sen form). Use it with friends, family, or people younger than you. If you want to learn more about formal and informal address in Turkish, check out our guide on how to address someone formally in Turkish.
Kusura Bakma: Don’t Take Offense (Informal)
Kusura bakma is a warm, informal way to say sorry. It literally means “don’t look at the flaw.” The word kusur means “flaw” or “fault,” and bakmak means “to look.” In English, it could translate to “Don’t blame me!”
Turks use it between friends, family members, and people they are close to. It fits best with small slip-ups and everyday situations.
- Kusura bakma, unuttum. (Sorry, I forgot.)
- Kusura bakma, biraz geç kaldım. (Sorry, I’m a bit late.)
The formal version is kusura bakmayın. Use this with people you address as siz (strangers, elders, superiors).
- Kusura bakmayın, yanlış numara. (Sorry, wrong number.)
Pardon: The Quick Casual Apology
Pardon entered Turkish from French and works exactly the same way. It is a quick, casual word for minor incidents. You will hear it constantly in crowded places like buses, bazaars, and streets.
Use pardon when you bump into someone, step on someone’s foot, or need to squeeze past. It requires no conjugation and works in any context.
- Pardon, ayağınıza bastım. (Pardon, I stepped on your foot.)
- Pardon, yanlış kişi. (Pardon, wrong person.)
Üzgünüm: Expressing Sympathy (Not a Direct Apology)
Üzgünüm means “I’m sad” or “I’m sorry to hear that.” It expresses sympathy and empathy rather than a personal apology. The word comes from the adjective üzgün (sad, sorry).
Use üzgünüm when you hear bad news, when someone shares a problem, or when you want to show compassion. It does not imply that you did something wrong.
- Haberler için üzgünüm. (I’m sorry about the news.)
- Çok üzgünüm, geçmiş olsun. (I’m very sorry, get well soon.)
However, üzgünüm can also be used casually for small inconveniences, similar to “sorry” in English:
- Üzgünüm, geciktim. (Sorry, I’m late.)
Taking Responsibility in Turkish
Sometimes saying sorry is not enough. You need to acknowledge your mistake directly. Turkish has several useful phrases for taking responsibility:
| Turkish | English |
|---|---|
| Bu benim hatam. | This is my fault. |
| Hata bende. | The fault is mine. |
| Yanlış yaptım. | I did wrong. |
| Bunu yapmamalıydım. | I shouldn’t have done this. |
| Onu demek istemedim. | I didn’t mean that. |
| Tekrar yapmayacağım. | I won’t do it again. |
Combining these phrases with özür dilerim makes your apology more sincere. For example:
- Özür dilerim, bu benim hatam. Tekrar yapmayacağım. (I apologize, this is my fault. I won’t do it again.)
- Bunu yapmamalıydım. Çok özür dilerim. (I shouldn’t have done this. I’m very sorry.)
Formal and Business Apologies in Turkish
In professional settings, you need stronger and more respectful expressions. Here are phrases suited for workplace situations, official correspondence, or speaking to superiors:
| Turkish | English | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Özür dilemek isterim. | I would like to apologize. | Speaking to a superior or elder |
| Tüm samimiyetimle özür dilerim. | I sincerely apologize. | Serious professional errors |
| Derin özürlerimi sunarım. | I present my deep apologies. | Official / written apologies |
| Tüm sorumluluğu üstüme alıyorum. | I take full responsibility. | Workplace accountability |
| Bu hatayı tekrar yapmamaya dikkat edeceğim. | I will make sure not to make this mistake again. | Professional commitments |
In Turkish workplace culture, using titles is important when apologizing. Always address the person with their title. For instance, use Bey (Mr.) or Hanım (Ms.) after their first name:
- Ahmet Bey, özür dilemek isterim. (Mr. Ahmet, I would like to apologize.)
- Ayşe Hanım, bu benim hatam. (Ms. Ayşe, this is my fault.)
Asking for Forgiveness in Turkish
When your mistake is serious, you may need to ask for forgiveness directly. Turkish has several phrases that express a genuine request for pardon:
| Turkish | English | Formality |
|---|---|---|
| Lütfen beni affet. | Please forgive me. | Informal (sen) |
| Lütfen beni affedin. | Please forgive me. | Formal (siz) |
| Umarım beni affedersin. | I hope you will forgive me. | Informal |
| Affına sığınırım. | I take refuge in your forgiveness. | Very formal |
| Çok pişmanım. | I’m very regretful. | Neutral / Emotional |
The word pişman (regretful, remorseful) carries deep emotion. Saying çok pişmanım shows that you truly regret what happened. It is stronger than a simple özür dilerim.
- Çok pişmanım. Lütfen beni affet. (I’m very regretful. Please forgive me.)
How to Accept an Apology in Turkish
Here are the most common ways to accept an apology in Turkish:
| Turkish | English | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Sorun değil. | No problem. | Common, neutral |
| Önemli değil. | It’s not important. | Common, neutral |
| Bir şey değil. | It’s nothing. | Casual, friendly |
| Olur böyle şeyler. | These things happen. | Reassuring |
| Takma kafana. | Don’t worry about it. | Informal, friendly |
| Estağfurullah. | Not at all! (lit. I seek God’s forgiveness) | Traditional, gracious |
| Canın sağ olsun. | No worries. (lit. Your soul is healthy) | Warm, comforting |
The expression estağfurullah deserves special attention. It comes from Arabic and literally means “I seek God’s forgiveness.” However, in modern Turkish, people use it as a gracious way to dismiss someone’s apology. It implies “there is nothing to apologize for.” You will hear it regardless of religious context.
Similarly, canın sağ olsun (informal) and canınız sağ olsun (formal) literally mean “may your soul be healthy.” Turks use this expression to comfort the person apologizing. It reassures them that the situation is not serious. You may also encounter this phrase in other contexts. For instance, it is common after someone loses an object or shares bad news. To learn more about expressing condolences, read our article about Hayırlı olsun and Turkish well-wishing expressions.
Cultural Tips for Apologizing in Turkish
Understanding Turkish apology culture goes beyond memorizing phrases. Here are some important cultural insights:
Sincerity matters most
Turks value genuine apologies. A sincere özür dilerim with eye contact carries more weight than elaborate words spoken casually. Tone of voice and body language matter as much as the words themselves.
Tea as reconciliation
In Turkish culture, offering tea is a powerful reconciliation gesture. After apologizing, you might hear or say: Bir çay içelim (Let’s have tea). Sharing tea together signals that the conflict is resolved. Refusing tea after an apology suggests you are not ready to forgive.
Hakkını helal et
The phrase hakkını helal et is unique to Turkish culture. It means “relinquish your rights” and asks someone to forgive any past wrongs. Turks use it before parting ways, traveling, or during religious holidays. The response is usually helal olsun (it is forgiven).
Bayram forgiveness tradition
During Ramazan Bayramı (Eid al-Fitr), Turkish families visit relatives and ask for forgiveness. Younger family members kiss the hands of elders as a sign of respect. This tradition strengthens social bonds and ensures a fresh start. The concept of helalleşmek (mutual forgiveness) is central to this practice.
To keep building your Turkish communication skills, learn how to say thank you in Turkish.
