🇭🇷 Croatian phrases

How to Say "I'm sorry" in Croatian

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
Žao mi je
"I'm sorry" in Croatian · say it like zhao mee yeh

The most natural way to say "I'm sorry" in Croatian is Žao mi je. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

Oprosti
More casual and often used among friends
Ispričavam se
More formal, suitable for official situations

When to use it

You can use 'Žao mi je' when you want to express regret or sympathy. It is appropriate in both formal and informal situations. Use 'Oprosti' when speaking with friends or in casual settings. 'Ispričavam se' is best for formal apologies or when addressing someone you don't know well.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "I'm sorry" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Croatian

CroatianEnglish
Žao mi je što si se povrijedio.I'm sorry that you got hurt.
Žao mi je, nisam to namjerno učinio.I'm sorry, I didn't do that on purpose.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 'Žao mi je' with 'Želim ti' which means 'I wish you'.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear Žao mi je, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Croatian with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

When should I use 'Ispričavam se'?

Use 'Ispričavam se' in formal situations or when you need to apologize sincerely.

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