Vybach Mene or Vybach Meni: Saying Sorry Correctly in Ukrainian

Is it “vybach mene” or “vybach meni”? “Vybachaius” or “pereproshuiu”? These questions come up for anyone apologising in Ukrainian — in an email, on a gift card or in conversation. The short answer: the correct forms are “vybach meni” (вибач мені), “vybachte meni” (вибачте мені) and “pereproshuiu” (перепрошую). Below we explain why, and how to avoid other common mistakes.

Why “vybach meni” is correct

The Ukrainian verbs vybachaty (to excuse) and probachaty (to forgive) take the dative case: you forgive to whom — meni (me), tobi (you), mami (mum). So the standard forms are:

• “Вибач мені” (vybach meni), “вибачте мені” (vybachte meni, formal or plural), “пробач мені” (probach meni).
• “Вибачте нам за затримку” — “Sorry for the delay” (from us).

“Вибач мене” (vybach mene) appeared under the influence of Russian “извини меня”, where the verb takes the accusative. In standard Ukrainian it is considered non-normative, so in letters, cards and formal settings write “вибач мені”.

Why “vybachaius” is a mistake

The reflexive ending -sia means an action directed at oneself, so “вибачаюсь” (vybachaius) literally sounds like “I excuse myself”. Use these instead:

• “Перепрошую” (pereproshuiu) — the most versatile polite option, like “excuse me” or “sorry”.
• “Вибачте” / “вибач” (vybachte / vybach) — “sorry”.
• “Прошу вибачення” (proshu vybachennia) — “I apologise”, more formal.

Vybach or probach: what is the difference

Both are correct but carry different shades. Вибач (vybach) is neutral, close to “sorry” or “excuse me”, and works for small and serious matters alike. Пробач (probach) is deeper and more emotional, closer to “forgive me”, and is used when asking to let go of real guilt. With strangers, Ukrainians usually say “вибачте” or “перепрошую”.

Pereproshuiu and daruite: when to use them

• Перепрошую — to get attention, ask someone to repeat, get past in a crowd or apologise for a minor inconvenience: “Перепрошую, ви виходите?” (Excuse me, are you getting off?)
• Даруйте (daruite) — a bookish, slightly solemn word: “Даруйте, що турбую так пізно” (Forgive me for disturbing you so late).
• Просимо вибачення — “we apologise”, for business letters and public statements.

More workplace examples are in our business apology guide.

Correct and incorrect: quick table

Signing a sorry card in Ukrainian

Short and correct: “Пробач мені. Я тебе кохаю” (Forgive me. I love you), “Вибач мені за вчорашнє” (Sorry about yesterday), “Мамо, вибач мені, будь ласка” (Mum, please forgive me). For more phrases, see how to say sorry and sorry in different languages.

FAQ

Is it “vybachte mene” or “vybachte meni”?

“Vybachte meni” (вибачте мені) is correct because the verb takes the dative case. “Vybachte mene” is a calque from Russian.

How do I say “excuse me” in Ukrainian?

“Перепрошую” (pereproshuiu) — to get attention, pass by or apologise for a small inconvenience.

How do I say “forgive me” in Ukrainian?

“Пробач мені” (probach meni) informally, or “пробачте мені” (probachte meni) formally.

Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.

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