Ammetto di aver sbagliato.

I admit I made a mistake.

Pronunciation

am-MET-to di a-VER sba-GLIA-to — stress on 'met-', 'a-', 'glia-'. 'Sbagliato' has three syllables.

When to use it

Taking responsibility for a mistake — one of the most important phrases in any relationship.

What it means

'Ammetto' = I admit (first person of 'ammettere'). 'Di aver sbagliato' = to have made a mistake (perfect infinitive of 'sbagliare'). Taking responsibility without excuses is the essence of this phrase.

Variations

Hai ragione — mi sono comportato/a male.

You're right — I behaved badly.

Affirming their position and naming the behaviour

Mi dispiace — non avrei dovuto.

I'm sorry — I shouldn't have.

Regret plus acknowledgment of what should have happened

Posso rimediare?

Can I make it up to you?

Moving from acknowledgment to repair — action-oriented apology

Mini Dialogue

— Ammetto di aver sbagliato. Non avrei dovuto dire quello. — Grazie per dirmelo. — Ti ho fatto del male — mi dispiace davvero. — Lo so. E ti credo. — Cosa posso fare per rimediare? — Sta già succedendo.

— I admit I made a mistake. I shouldn't have said that. — Thank you for telling me. — I hurt you — I'm truly sorry. — I know. And I believe you. — What can I do to make it up to you? — It's already happening.

Cultural Note

The Italian apology has three components: admission ('ammetto'), regret ('mi dispiace'), and repair ('cosa posso fare'). Completing all three is considered emotionally mature. The response 'sta già succedendo' (it's already happening) means the apology itself is the repair — a beautiful and generous Italian reaction.

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Sei pronto/a per un impegno serio?

Dobbiamo trovare un compromesso.

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