Phrase 46 of 500
How to say “Sorry, don't mind it” in Turkish
- Meaning
- Sorry, don't mind it.
- Pronunciation
- koo·soo·rah bahk·mah
What “Kusura bakma” really means
Kusura bakma means "Sorry, don't take it amiss", literally "don't look at the fault". It is softer than Özür dilerim and used for small inconveniences: not answering the phone, a messy house, interrupting. Polite form: "Kusura bakmayın".
💬 Example dialogues
AyşeKusura bakma, telefonu duymadım.Sorry, I didn't hear the phone.
DenizYok canım, önemli değil.No worries, it's nothing.
Ev sahibiKusura bakmayın, ev biraz dağınık.Excuse the mess, the house is a bit untidy.
MisafirEstağfurullah, çok güzel!Not at all, it's lovely!
🚫 When NOT to use it
For a serious mistake it can sound light; use "Özür dilerim" then. It is also not a way to get attention; for that say "Pardon" or "Bakar mısınız?".
🇹🇷 Culture note
Hosts say "Kusura bakmayın" even when the house is spotless; it is modesty. Your job as the guest is to protest kindly.
⚠️ Common mistakes
- ✗ Kusura bakma (to a customs officer) → ✓ Kusura bakmayınUse the -yın form with strangers.
Culture tip
Turkish has magic words for everyday moments: say Kolay gelsin to anyone working and Ellerine sağlık to anyone who cooked for you.
Related phrases
More phrases in this unit
- Teşekkür ederim.Thank you.
- Sağ ol!Thanks! (casual)
- Rica ederim.You're welcome.
- Lütfen.Please.
- Özür dilerim.I'm sorry.
- Pardon!Excuse me!
- Kolay gelsin!May your work be easy!
- Afiyet olsun!Enjoy your meal!
- Ellerine sağlık!Health to your hands! (thanks for the food)
- Geçmiş olsun!Get well soon!
- Hayırlı olsun!Congratulations! (on something new)
- Tebrikler!Congratulations!
- Çok yaşa!Bless you! (after a sneeze)
- Sen de gör!You too! (reply to "Çok yaşa")
- Maşallah!How wonderful! (God has willed it)
- İnşallah.Hopefully. / God willing.
- Buyurun.Here you go. / Please, come in.
- Estağfurullah.Not at all, don't say that!
- Ağzına sağlık!Well said!