How to Say Sorry in Greek

Συγγνώμη, λυπάμαι, or με συγχωρείς?

Three different words for what English lumps under 'sorry', and each does something specific.

• Συγγνώμη (syngnómi) is the everyday apology and the all-purpose 'excuse me'. Bumping into someone, mishearing them, arriving late, catching a waiter's attention: all συγγνώμη
• Λυπάμαι (lypáme) is 'I feel bad / I'm sorry'. Deeper. Used for sad news, condolences, or genuine regret about something serious. Not for the coffee you just spilled
• Με συγχωρείς / με συγχωρείτε (me synchoreís / me synchoreíte) is closer to 'forgive me / excuse me', used when you're squeezing past someone, interrupting, or asking for a favour

The rough rule: συγγνώμη for small stuff, λυπάμαι for serious stuff, με συγχωρείς when you're moving through space or interrupting.

Why συγγνώμη is a mouthful

Συγγνώμη is written with γγ, which in Greek sounds like 'ng' (like the middle of English 'sing-ing'). So it's pronounced roughly sy-NGNO-mi, with the stress on the second syllable.

A few tips to make it easier:

• The γγ isn't 'gg', it's a single 'ng' sound
• The ν disappears into the 'ng' cluster, so you don't hear a separate 'n' before it
• Stress on the second syllable, not the last
• The final -η is 'ee', short and clean

If you're mid-conversation and it's not coming out, a plain σόρι (borrowed from English) works informally with friends. But συγγνώμη is the proper word and worth practising.

Λυπάμαι for the serious moments

Λυπάμαι literally means 'I am sad' and it's the word Greeks reach for when someone tells them bad news. It's not a casual apology.

A few natural uses:

• Λυπάμαι πολύ για την απώλειά σας (I'm very sorry for your loss)
• Λυπάμαι που δεν μπορώ να έρθω (I'm sorry I can't come)
• Λυπάμαι, δεν το ήξερα (I'm sorry, I didn't know)
• Λυπάμαι πραγματικά (I'm truly sorry)

If a Greek friend loses a family member, λυπάμαι πολύ is the right phrase, often paired with ζωή σε σας (life to you), a traditional condolence. Συγγνώμη in that moment would sound wrong.

The reply: δεν πειράζει

When someone apologises, the standard Greek reply is δεν πειράζει (den pirázi), literally 'it doesn't bother'. It's the equivalent of 'no worries / it's fine'.

Other natural replies:

• Δεν πειράζει, the everyday default
• Κανένα πρόβλημα (kanéna próvlima), no problem
• Όλα καλά (óla kalá), all good
• Μην ανησυχείς (min anisichís), don't worry

If a Greek apologises to you and you brush it off with a warm δεν πειράζει, you sound completely natural. It's a small exchange but a warm one.