Izvinjavam se zbog kašnjenja.

because of

Breakdown of Izvinjavam se zbog kašnjenja.

• kašnjenje: a delay
• izvinjavati se: to apologize

Questions & Answers about Izvinjavam se zbog kašnjenja.

Why is it izvinjavam se and not just izvinjavam?

Because izvinjavati se / izviniti se is a reflexive verb in Serbian, and it normally comes with se.

• izvinjavati se = to apologize
• izviniti se = to apologize

So Izvinjavam se literally works like I am apologizing or I apologize.

Without se, the verb would not sound natural here. In practice, when you want to say I apologize, you should use izvinjavam se or izvinite / izvini depending on the situation.

Why is the verb in the present tense if the speaker is apologizing for something that already happened?

In Serbian, just like in English, the present tense can be used for a speech act happening right now.

So Izvinjavam se means I am apologizing now / I apologize.

The lateness may have already happened, but the apology is happening at the moment of speaking. That is why the present tense is perfectly natural.

What is the basic form of izvinjavam se?