Significado
Used to apologize or express regret.
Contexto cultural
Slovenians are generally reserved. A 'Žal mi je' is often accompanied by a slight nod of the head and direct eye contact to show sincerity. In Slovenian business, being late is seen as quite rude. A 'Žal mi je' is mandatory even if you are only 2-3 minutes late. On platforms like Facebook, Slovenians use 'Žal mi je' in comments to react to sad news, often followed by a sad emoji or a candle emoji. If a host cannot offer you something you asked for, they will use 'Žal mi je' to maintain the 'good host' image.
Add 'Res' for Sincerity
Adding 'res' (really) makes you sound much more genuine. 'Res mi je žal.'
Avoid 'Jaz sem žal'
This is the #1 mistake. Remember: Sorrow is something you HAVE/EXPERIENCE, not something you ARE.
Significado
Used to apologize or express regret.
Add 'Res' for Sincerity
Adding 'res' (really) makes you sound much more genuine. 'Res mi je žal.'
Avoid 'Jaz sem žal'
This is the #1 mistake. Remember: Sorrow is something you HAVE/EXPERIENCE, not something you ARE.
The 'Ampak' Buffer
Slovenians often use 'Žal mi je, ampak...' to say 'no' politely. It's a key social skill.
Past Tense
To say 'I was sorry,' just add 'bilo' at the end: 'Žal mi je bilo.'
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the correct dative pronoun for 'I am sorry.'
Žal ___ je, da sem zamudil.
The phrase always uses the dative pronoun 'mi' for 'to me.'
Which phrase should you use to get a waiter's attention?
You are in a restaurant and want to order.
'Oprostite' is used for 'Excuse me,' while 'Žal mi je' is for 'I'm sorry.'
Match the response to the situation.
Your friend says: 'Moj fant me je zapustil' (My boyfriend left me).
This is the most natural way to express sympathy for bad news.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Ali si prinesel mojo knjigo? B: Ne, pozabil sem jo. ___.
B is apologizing for forgetting the book.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosŽal ___ je, da sem zamudil.
The phrase always uses the dative pronoun 'mi' for 'to me.'
You are in a restaurant and want to order.
'Oprostite' is used for 'Excuse me,' while 'Žal mi je' is for 'I'm sorry.'
Your friend says: 'Moj fant me je zapustil' (My boyfriend left me).
This is the most natural way to express sympathy for bad news.
A: Ali si prinesel mojo knjigo? B: Ne, pozabil sem jo. ___.
B is apologizing for forgetting the book.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasYes, in very informal settings or as a quick reaction to bad news, but 'Žal mi je' is much more common and polite.
'Žal mi je' is present tense (I am sorry now). 'Žal mi je bilo' is past tense (I was sorry then).
'Oprosti' is 'Forgive me' (informal). 'Žal mi je' is 'I feel regret.' You often use both: 'Oprosti, res mi je žal.'
Use 'Zelo mi je žal' or 'Res mi je žal.'
It is okay, but 'Moje sožalje' is the specific and more appropriate phrase for funerals.
No, 'žalosten' means sad. 'Žal' is a noun/adverb used for regret.
It is neutral. It works with both friends and bosses.
Change 'mi' to 'nam': 'Žal nam je.'
Yes, but only for very minor things with friends. Don't use it in formal situations.
It literally means 'sorrow' or 'regret.'
Frases relacionadas
Oprostite
similarExcuse me / Forgive me
Opravičujem se
formalI apologize
Moje sožalje
specialized formMy condolences
Škoda
similarThat's a pity / Too bad
Obžalujem
builds onI regret
