Short answer: "sorry" in Italian is Scusa, or Mi dispiace depending on the situation.
Scusa, the core translation
The default way to say "sorry" in Italian is Scusa. Pronounced roughly SKOO-zah.
When Italian speakers actually use it
"Scusa" is casual; "Scusi" polite; "Mi dispiace" is heartfelt sorry.
Alternative: Mi dispiace
Mi dispiace is the other option Italian speakers reach for in this situation. It's not a synonym so much as a register shift, use the one that matches who you're talking to.
Practice this in a real Italian conversation
Reading a phrase and saying it out loud are two different skills. Skala's AI conversations let you drop "Scusa" into a real Italian exchange in your first 3-minute lesson, so it sticks the first time.
Start learning Italian today
Skala is free on iOS and Android. One 3-minute Italian lesson gets you your first 0.1%. Show up daily and the % climbs. That's the whole method.
FAQ
What's the most polite way to say "sorry" in Italian?
Both Scusa and Mi dispiace are polite. Pick based on who you're talking to: register, not translation, is what natives are tuning into.
How do I pronounce Scusa?
Roughly SKOO-zah. Recording yourself once and comparing to a native audio inside Skala closes the gap faster than reading pronunciation guides.