Russian for Kids
How to Say "Sorry" in Russian
Apologizing in someone's language shows that you care about their feelings.
In Russian (Русский)
Извините (Izvinite)
Pronounced: eez-vee-NEE-tyeh
What “Sorry” means and when to use it
The listed Russian expression in this lesson is “Извините (Izvinite).” Its beginner pronunciation approximation is “eez-vee-NEE-tyeh.” Apologizing in someone's language shows that you care about their feelings. The approximation is a reading scaffold, not a replacement for the native writing or for listening to a speaker whose variety you are learning.
Use this apology after a mistake or small harm: bumping into someone, interrupting, losing a borrowed item, or hurting feelings. A sincere apology also involves stopping the behavior, listening, and repairing what can be repaired; the word alone is not a reset button. Some listed forms can overlap with excuse me or express sympathy, while other languages choose different words by situation. Practice an accidental, low-stakes scene and keep the translated phrase exactly as listed rather than inventing promises.
Do not require apologies for harmless cultural or pronunciation differences. Reserve the practice for an action that actually needs acknowledgment.
Russian pronunciation workshop
Russian uses the 33-letter Cyrillic alphabet. Some letters resemble Latin letters but represent different sounds: В is v, Н is n, and Р is r. Stress is important and unstressed vowels can change quality, especially written о sounding nearer a. Many consonants have hard and soft versions; softness includes a slight y-like tongue position. Final voiced consonants may become voiceless. The all-caps syllable in our hint is useful because ordinary Russian text usually does not print stress marks.
Now apply those sound ideas specifically to “Извините (Izvinite).” Read the native form first, then use “eez-vee-NEE-tyeh” to locate the broad sound sequence and emphasized syllable. Say the entire expression in one comfortable turn. Do not substitute English sounds more strongly merely because a letter looks familiar, and do not erase marks, accents, or characters when copying it.
Find the stressed syllable and tap it once, then say the whole phrase with the unstressed syllables lighter. Point out any Cyrillic look-alike that has a different sound. Keep soft consonants gently raised toward the palate and avoid adding an extra vowel after a final consonant.
Respectful context across Russia
Russian has informal ты (ty) and formal or plural вы (vy). Children commonly use informal forms with peers, while names plus patronymics and formal address can matter in adult or institutional settings. A spoken greeting may differ by time and relationship. Russian is also used by varied communities outside Russia, and speakers' identities and accents should not be presumed. Language learning is about communicating with people, not endorsing a government or reducing a culture to politics.
This lesson teaches one useful listed translation, not the only wording used by all Russian speakers. Age, relationship, region, and situation can change a speaker's choice. A good learner notices those choices, asks respectfully when appropriate, and accepts correction without arguing that a phrase list must outrank a person's own language experience.
Practice activity: scene, speak, reflect
Use paper shapes for three repair scenes: a knocked-over block tower, an interrupted turn, and a misplaced pencil. Read the scene in English. The learner says the translated apology, then completes a silent repair action—rebuild, wait, or return the pencil. Their partner acknowledges with a nod, without being required to forgive immediately. Rotate all roles. After three rounds, learners explain in English which action made each apology more meaningful and repeat the target phrase from memory.
Use three passes. On pass one, read “Извините (Izvinite)” while a partner checks every word or character. On pass two, look only at the scene card and retrieve the expression from memory. On pass three, use an English scene prompt and deliver the Russian speaking turn at a natural volume. Afterward, explain in English why the phrase fit that scene. This keeps meaning, respectful behavior, and pronunciation together instead of rewarding speed alone.
A successful attempt is understandable and considerate, not accent-free. Mark one detail you kept consistent—perhaps the stress, a long vowel, a tone direction, a final consonant, or the full word order—and choose one detail for another careful repetition. Stop before practice becomes rushed. Short, attentive rounds build a more reliable memory than saying the phrase many times without listening to yourself or your partner.
Practice dialogue
- Scene prompt (English)
- Learner A accidentally knocks over Learner B’s small block tower.
- Role-play cue (English)
- Learner A stops, helps rebuild, and says the target apology.
- Russian target speaking turn — Learner A
- Извините (Izvinite)
- Role-play reply/action (English) — Learner B
- Thank you for helping rebuild it.
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