Bedeutung
Formal apology or way to get attention.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Czechia, it is considered rude to enter a small shop without saying 'Dobrý den' (Good day), but if you need help, you must follow up with 'Promiňte'. Slovak uses 'Prepáčte', which is very similar to 'Promiňte'. The two are mutually intelligible and used in identical social contexts. In the fast-paced environment of Prague, 'Pardon' is often shortened to a quick 'Pardón' with a long 'o' sound when rushing through crowds. In Czech universities, interrupting a professor requires a very soft 'Promiňte, pane profesore' to acknowledge the hierarchy.
The 'Tram' Rule
If you are on a tram and it's your stop, don't just push. Say 'Promiňte' or 'S dovolením' (With permission).
The Formal Barrier
Never use 'Promiň' with a waiter or a shopkeeper. It can be seen as a sign of poor upbringing.
Bedeutung
Formal apology or way to get attention.
The 'Tram' Rule
If you are on a tram and it's your stop, don't just push. Say 'Promiňte' or 'S dovolením' (With permission).
The Formal Barrier
Never use 'Promiň' with a waiter or a shopkeeper. It can be seen as a sign of poor upbringing.
Eye Contact
When saying 'Promiňte' for a bump, a quick nod of the head is more common than a full smile.
Double it up
Saying 'Pardon, promiňte' is a very natural way to sound like a native when you make a small mistake.
Teste dich selbst
You bump into an elderly lady at the supermarket. What do you say?
A: ______, neviděl jsem vás.
You use the formal 'Promiňte' because she is a stranger and an elder.
Complete the sentence to ask for directions.
_______, kde je tady bankomat?
This is the standard way to start a question to a stranger.
Match the phrase to the situation.
1. Promiňte, že jdu pozdě. 2. Promiň, zapomněl jsem na to. 3. Pardon!
Formal for boss, informal for friend, quick loanword for physical bumps.
Fill in the missing word in the tram dialogue.
Learner: Promiňte, ______? Stranger: Ano, vystupuji.
The standard phrase 'Promiňte, vystupujete?' is used to ask if someone is getting off.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Usage Scenarios
Attention
- • Asking directions
- • Calling a waiter
- • Interrupting
Apology
- • Bumping
- • Being late
- • Small mistake
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenA: ______, neviděl jsem vás.
You use the formal 'Promiňte' because she is a stranger and an elder.
_______, kde je tady bankomat?
This is the standard way to start a question to a stranger.
1. Promiňte, že jdu pozdě. 2. Promiň, zapomněl jsem na to. 3. Pardon!
Formal for boss, informal for friend, quick loanword for physical bumps.
Learner: Promiňte, ______? Stranger: Ano, vystupuji.
The standard phrase 'Promiňte, vystupujete?' is used to ask if someone is getting off.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenMostly, yes, but only for social situations. For deep regret, use 'Omlouvám se'.
It's better to use 'Prosím?' or 'Co prosím?'. 'Promiňte?' sounds like you are offended.
The -te ending is for plural or formal 'you'. It's the polite way to address strangers.
Yes, 'Pardon' is very common for physical bumps, but 'Promiňte' is better for starting a question.
Yes, it can be seen as overly familiar or even aggressive, depending on the tone.
You still use 'Promiňte'. The -te ending already covers multiple people.
'Promiňte' is 'Excuse me', while 'S dovolením' is specifically 'With your permission (let me pass)'.
No, 'Promiňte' is usually used alone. 'Promiňte mi' is more emphatic.
Among young people, yes. In a bank or a nice restaurant, no.
Say 'To je v pořádku' (That's okay) or 'Nic se nestalo' (Nothing happened).
Both are correct. 'Promiňte' is the standard social formula; 'mi' adds a personal touch.
Yes, 'Promiňte, že píšu tak pozdě' (Sorry for writing so late) is a common polite opening.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Omlouvám se
similarI apologize
Pardon
synonymSorry / Excuse me
Nezlobte se
builds onDon't be angry
Dovolte
specialized formAllow me / Let me through
To je mi líto
contrastI'm sorry (sympathy)
