Questions & Answers about Przepraszam bardzo!
Why does przepraszam translate to "I am sorry" when it is just one word?
In Polish, you do not say "I am sorry" using the verb "to be" and an adjective. Instead, przepraszam is an action word (a verb) that literally means "I apologize". The -m at the end of the word tells you that "I" am the one doing the apologizing.
Can I also use przepraszam bardzo to mean "excuse me"?
Yes! You can use przepraszam both to apologize for a mistake and to get someone's attention or ask them to move, just like "excuse me" in English. If you need to squeeze past someone on a crowded bus, saying przepraszam bardzo is perfectly natural and polite.
What exactly does bardzo add to this sentence?
The word bardzo means "very" or "very much". Adding it changes a standard "I'm sorry" into a deeper apology: "I am very sorry" or "I apologize very much". For minor, everyday things, you can just say przepraszam on its own.
Do I need to change the word przepraszam if I am speaking to an older person or a group of people?
No. Because przepraszam simply means "I apologize", it only describes what you are doing. It does not change based on who is listening. You use the exact same word for a close friend, a formal boss, or a whole crowd.
Learn Przepraszam bardzo and more in Polish
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free