Greetings
How to Say “Excuse me / Sorry” in Macedonian
Quick Reference
| Macedonian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Извини | Izvini | Excuse me / Sorry |
What Does “Извини” Mean?
The Macedonian expression for “Excuse me / Sorry” is Извини (Latin: Izvini). It belongs to the category of essential Macedonian greetings used in everyday conversation. Macedonian is a South Slavic language spoken by approximately 1.5 million people, primarily in North Macedonia. It uses the Macedonian Cyrillic alphabet, which has 31 letters — each with a consistent, phonetic pronunciation.
How to Pronounce Извини
Извини is pronounced “Izvini” in Macedonian. One of Macedonian's most learner-friendly features is that it is a fully phonetic language — every letter always makes the same sound, with no silent letters and no irregular spellings. This means once you learn the Macedonian Cyrillic alphabet, you can read and pronounce any Macedonian word correctly.
The Latin transliteration above uses a standard system where each Macedonian letter maps to a predictable Latin equivalent. Stress in Macedonian generally falls on the third-to-last syllable in longer words, though for shorter words and phrases it often falls on the first syllable. Listen to native audio pronunciation in the free OpaLingo interactive lessons.
When to Use “Извини”
Greetings are one of the first things to learn in any new language. In Macedonian culture, greetings are an important part of daily social interaction — locals appreciate when visitors make the effort to say hello in Macedonian. This phrase is commonly used across North Macedonia in both city and rural contexts.
This expression is appropriate in both formal and informal situations.
Grammar Notes
Key grammar elements in this expression: apology, verb imperative. Understanding these building blocks helps you form your own Macedonian sentences. The OpaLingo Journey covers these grammar concepts in detail with interactive exercises.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say "Excuse me / Sorry" in Macedonian?
"Excuse me / Sorry" in Macedonian is Извини. It is pronounced "Izvini" — Macedonian is a phonetic language so every letter maps to a consistent sound.
How do you pronounce Извини?
Извини is pronounced "Izvini". Macedonian uses the Cyrillic alphabet but is fully phonetic — once you know the letters, you can pronounce any word correctly. Free audio pronunciation is available in the OpaLingo interactive lessons.
Is "Excuse me / Sorry" formal or informal in Macedonian?
This expression is appropriate in both formal and informal situations.
Related Macedonian Greetings Words
Practice “Извини” with Interactive Exercises
OpaLingo's free interactive lessons include native Macedonian audio, flashcards, and quizzes to help you remember essential Macedonian greetings used in everyday conversation for good. No account required — start learning immediately.