How to say "excuse me" in Modern Standard Arabic
عَفْواً
3afwan
- Without tashkeel
- عفوا
- Franco / chat alphabet
- 3afwan
- Literally
- pardon
When to use it
Said to get a stranger's attention, to squeeze past someone, or to apologise for a small slip. It is polite and neutral, so it works with anyone. The same word is also the standard reply to "thank you", where it means "you're welcome".
Other ways to say it
more formal
الْمَعْذِرَة
al-ma3dhira
pardon me
Use in formal settings or when interrupting someone senior.
to a man, to ask for something
لَوْ سَمَحْتَ
law sama7ta
if you would allow
Use to call a waiter or ask a man for a favour.
to a woman, to ask for something
لَوْ سَمَحْتِ
law sama7ti
if you would allow
The same request addressed to a woman.
apologising
عُذْراً
3udhran
sorry, excuse me
Use when you have actually got in the way or made a mistake.
How people reply
تَفَضَّلْ
tafaddal
Go ahead.
لَا بَأْسَ
la ba'sa
No problem.
نَعَمْ؟
na3am?
Yes?
In a sentence
عَفْواً، أَيْنَ الْمَحَطَّةُ؟
3afwan, ayna al-ma7attatu?
Excuse me, where is the station?
عَفْواً، هَلْ هَذَا الْمَقْعَدُ فَارِغٌ؟
3afwan, hal hadha al-maq3adu farighun?
Excuse me, is this seat free?
عَفْواً، لَمْ أَسْمَعْكَ جَيِّداً.
3afwan, lam asma3ka jayyidan.
Sorry, I did not hear you well.