ABC Russian: How to say "I'm sorry" in Russian?
How to say "I'm sorry" in Russian?
You can use both in a range of situations, from such light offenses as bumping into someone to something graver, such as spoiling a surprise.
If you are interrupting someone with a question, as when you ask for directions, it is only polite to start with извините.
If you are saying this to a person with whom you would use an informal ты (informal you), you would say прости or извини.