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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/ru-excuse-me

How do you say 'Excuse me' or 'Sorry' politely in Russian?

Извините (izvinite) means excuse me or sorry.

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  1. Приятного аппетита (priyatnogo appetita)
  2. Извините (izvinite) ✔
  3. Спокойной ночи (spokoynoy nochi)

Why: Извините is the polite form to use with strangers, on the metro, or to get someone's attention. Приятного аппетита is what you say to someone who is eating, and спокойной ночи means good night.

Huh, didn't know that: Извините is the polite plural command form of the verb извинить, 'to excuse'.

The dad joke
In a crowded metro, izvinite is the most useful word after 'stop'.
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References

Answer: Извините (izvinite). Извините is the polite form to use with strangers, on the metro, or to get someone's attention. Приятного аппетита is what you say to someone who is eating, and спокойной ночи means good night.

  1. Wiktionary: извините en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%D0%B8%D0%B7%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5
    excuse me; sorry
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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