To get a stranger's attention in Italian, say Scusi (SKOO-zee), or Mi scusi to be extra polite; to a friend, Scusa. To get past people on a crowded bus, or when stepping into someone's home, say Permesso (pehr-MEHS-soh), literally "permission". Senta, scusi… (listen, excuse me) is how you stop a waiter or a passer-by.
- Getting attention (Lei)
- Scusi / Mi scusi
- Getting attention (tu)
- Scusa
- Getting past, entering
- Permesso
- Stopping a waiter
- Senta, scusi
- Level
- A1
Scusi, permesso or senta: which excuse me?
English uses one phrase for several jobs. Italian picks a different word depending on whether you want someone's attention, need to get past them, or are about to walk into their space.
| Italian | Sounds like | Job | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scusi! | SKOO-zee | Getting attention, a small apology | Formal (Lei) |
| Mi scusi | mee SKOO-zee | The same, a little more polite | Formal (Lei) |
| Scusa! | SKOO-zah | Getting a friend's attention | Informal (tu) |
| Senta… | SEN-tah | "Listen…": stopping a waiter or passer-by | Formal (Lei) |
| Senti… | SEN-tee | "Listen…": starting a question to a friend | Informal (tu) |
| Permesso? | pehr-MEHS-soh | Getting past people; entering a home or office | Any |
| Posso? | POS-soh | "May I?": taking a seat, borrowing something | Any |
Scusi also covers the small apology English would make with "excuse me". In a Contos A2 comedy, the village baker turns up late to choir practice with flour on his hands, and greets the new conductor with it:
"Scusi, maestra! Il pane non aspetta!"How do you ask a stranger for help in Italian?
Open with scusi or mi scusi, then ask your question with the Lei form of the verb. Sa (do you know) and può (can you) are the two you will use most.
Mi scusi, sa dov'è la stazione?
Excuse me, do you know where the station is?
Scusi, che ore sono?
Excuse me, what time is it?
Senta, scusi, è libero questo posto?
Excuse me, is this seat free?
Scusi, mi può fare una foto?
Excuse me, could you take a photo of me?
Scusate, posso passare?
Excuse me, can I get past?
Scusate is the plural, to a group of people.
To a waiter, Senta, scusi! with a raised hand is perfectly polite. Clicking your fingers or calling out "cameriere!" is not. Asking for the toilets is covered on how to ask where the toilet is in Italian.
What does permesso mean?
Il permesso is permission. As a one-word question it asks to be let through or let in. Italians say Permesso? as they step through the door of someone else's home, even when invited, and the host answers Avanti! (come in) or Prego, entra! On a packed bus, a quiet permesso gets people to let you off.
The noun turns up in its plain meaning in a Contos B1 story set in a Roman café, where a young regular never bothers to ask:
Giulia si sedette accanto a lui senza permesso, come faceva sempre.Permesso? Si può?
May I come in?
At an open door or an office.
Permesso, devo scendere.
Excuse me, I need to get off.
On a bus or train.
Is excuse me the same as sorry in Italian?
Partly. Scusa and scusi do both jobs, as in English. But when you are genuinely sorry, Italian has stronger words, such as mi dispiace and chiedo scusa. They are on how to say sorry in Italian. For please in requests, see how to say please in Italian.
Read Italian stories at A1 and tap any word you don't know for its meaning.
Read free in your browserFrequently asked questions
Do you say permesso when you walk into a shop?
No. In a shop, greet the staff with buongiorno or buonasera. Permesso is for stepping into a private space, such as someone's home or an office, or for getting past people.
How do you reply to permesso?
If someone is at your door, say Avanti! or Prego, entra (Prego, entri to someone you address as Lei). If someone wants to get past you, just step aside; a quick prego is a friendly extra.
Is scusi rude?
No, it is polite. Scusi is the formal form, so it suits strangers, shop staff and older people. Using scusa with a stranger is not rude either, but it sounds more familiar.
What does senta mean?
Senta is the Lei form of sentire, to hear or listen, so it means "listen". Used before a question, as in Senta, scusi, quanto costa?, it simply gets the person's attention politely.