How To Say "I'm Sorry" In Korean - 7 Ways To Apologize

Saying "sorry" in Korean is about much more than just the words; it’s about respect, hierarchy, and reading the "nunchi" (social cues) of a situation.

In English, one "sorry" might cover everything from bumping into someone to making a major mistake at work. In Korean, the phrase you choose depends entirely on who you are talking to and how big the mistake was. Using the wrong level of respect can sometimes be more offensive than the mistake itself!

 We've also included a free PDF guide for how to say "I'm Sorry" in Korean that you can take with you on the go. Check it out below:

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Contents

• 1 "I'm Sorry" in Korean
• 2 Decision Guide: Which "Sorry" Should You Use?
  • 2.1 How Age & Hierarchy Affect Your Apology
  • 2.2 Formal "I’m Sorry" in Korean
  • 2.3 Standard "I’m Sorry" in Korean
  • 2.4 Informal "I’m Sorry" in Korean
• 3 Why "Sorry" Doesn't Always Equal 죄송합니다
• 4 Other Ways to Say "I’m Sorry" in Korean
  • 4.1 Professional Apologies: Work and Customer Service
  • 4.2 Using "I'm Sorry" in a Sentence
  • 4.3 How to say "I'm really sorry" in Korean
• 5 Common Mistakes Foreigners Make
• 6 Saying "Sorry" in K-Dramas vs. Real Korean
• 7 Other Words Related to "I'm Sorry" in Korean
  • 7.1 "Apology" in Korean
  • 7.2 "To apologize" in Korean
• 8 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• 9 Wrap Up

"I'm Sorry" in Korean

In Korean, apologizing is about navigating social hierarchy and reading "nunchi" (social cues) correctly. One key difference from English is that the subject "I" is almost always omitted; it is understood through context that you are the one expressing regret.

We'll go over several ways to say "I'm sorry" in Korean. We've added them below in the Korean alphabet and romanization. Not only will you be able to apologize, but you'll also be able to listen for apologies.

If you can't read the Korean alphabet, known as 한글 (Hangeul), we recommend you learn it first. It'll assist all your future Korean studies.

To start, here's a video on how to say "sorry" in Korean.

 

Decision Guide: Which "Sorry" Should You Use?

Choosing the correct apology depends on the relationship between the speaker and the listener. Use this table as a quick reference:

Situation	What to say	Why
Formal apology	죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida)	Polite & respectful for elders/bosses.
Casual mistake	미안해요 (mianhaeyo)	Polite apology for casual, daily situations.
Getting attention	실례합니다 (sillyehamnida)	Not an apology; used as "Excuse me."
Professional email	대단히 죄송합니다 (daedanhi joesonghabnida)	Extra formality for business or serious errors.

How Age & Hierarchy Affect Your Apology

In Korean culture, age is the "Golden Rule" of social interaction. Even a one-year age gap can change the vocabulary you typically use to be considered polite.

The "Aim High" Strategy

When apologizing to anyone older than you, 미안해 (mianhae) is usually avoided. Even if you’re close, using casual language without mutual agreement can come across as disrespectful.

Hierarchy Over Familiarity

In a workplace, your rank matters more than your age. Even if you are older than your manager, you must use formal apologies like 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida) because of their higher professional status.

Non-Verbal Cues

A sincere apology in Korea isn't just spoken; it’s shown. Offering a slight bow while apologizing reinforces your sincerity and acknowledges the other person's higher position.

Now that you're equipped with the right information, let's go over the different ways to say "sorry" in Korean!

Formal "I’m Sorry" in Korean

Like saying "thank you" in Korean, there are two different words for sorry in its formal version.

The first one, 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida), is slightly more respectful, and this word would be the one that we recommend using if you only feel like learning one word for "sorry."

Remember to use your body language and voice tone to help convey your message. Face the person you are saying sorry to and slightly bow your head a little bit when saying sorry to acknowledge that you have made a mistake.

The second one, 미안합니다 (mianhamnida), will also work well, so choose which one you like better!

Association for the Formal "I’m Sorry" in Korean

We'll use some associations to help us remember these Korean phrases. Associations are helpful tools that help you recall the vocabulary or phrase by using a story or image that's easier to remember. You can use our associations or take them as an example to make your own.

Do you know the American cartoon and movies G.I. Joe? It was popular in the '80s to 90's, and we'll use them to help us remember 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida).

Their cartoon intro song was very memorable so imagine that the Joe song is needed to apologize formally in Korea. Just imagine you're saying to yourself, "Joe song, I need it." This phrase isn't exactly the same as 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida), but that's not always necessary. What's important is that it helps you remember 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida).

Example:

늦어서 죄송합니다 (neujeoseo joesonghamnida) I'm sorry that I am late.

Standard "I’m Sorry" in Korean

Next is the standard version, which also has two ways to say it. This is the standard level of politeness. In this case, both words can be used interchangeably.

The first word is  죄송해요 (joesonghaeyo).

But keep in mind that when saying sorry, like saying thank you, people often use a level of politeness higher than they would normally. Therefore, often it is better to say 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida) rather than 죄송해요 (joesonghaeyo).

The second way is 미안해요 (mianhaeyo). 

Associations for Standard "I’m Sorry" in Korean

This can use the same association of G.I. Joe again, only that -합니다 (-hamnida) is changed to -해요 (-haeyo), but this is really easy!

The G.I. Joe catchphrase was "Go Joe!" which sounds a lot like "Hey yo!" -해요 (-haeyo). So just imagine the "Joe song" uses "Hey yo!" as its catchphrase in standard situations.

Informal "I’m Sorry" in Korean

When speaking to people of a similar age who are close to you, use 미안해 (mianhae). You can also use it when speaking to young children.

If you are in a relationship with a Korean, then learn this word now, as it can save your relationship! Note that 죄송해 (joesonghae) isn't used.

Try Your Own for Informal "I’m Sorry"

By now, you can see that making associations can be fun and easy. Better yet, they help you remember the phrase much better (especially if the association is strange or unique). Can you make your own association for 미안해 (mianhae)?

We'll start you out, and it sounds kind of like "me" "and" "hey." What story could you make for these words to associate with the informal "I'm sorry"?

Why "Sorry" Doesn't Always Equal 죄송합니다

AI and translation tools often provide a direct translation without cultural context. Here is why you shouldn't always trust them:

죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida) ≠ Sympathy

In English, you say "I'm sorry" to hear bad news. In Korean, saying an apology phrase here sounds like you are taking blame. Use expressions like 어떡해요 (eotteokaeyo), 안됐네요 (andwaenneyo), or 힘들었겠다 (himdeureotgetda) for sympathy instead.

미안해 (mianhae) can sound rude

Using this with someone older, even by one year, can be seen as a lack of respect.

실례합니다 (sillyehamnida) ≠ A real apology

This is for "excuse me" interruptions, not for when you've actually made a mistake.

Other Ways to Say "I’m Sorry" in Korean

You can use "I'm sorry" in Korean to express apologies. However, there are alternate expressions that you should use in certain cases where you'd use "sorry" in English.

잠시만요 (jamsimanyo)

This phrase means "just a moment" or "hold on a second." You would use this phrase when you're trying to get through a crowded subway in Seoul. Rather than say "sorry," you'd say 잠시만요 (jamsimanyo).

You might also use this phrase when you're on the phone or in the middle of a conversation and someone is trying to get your attention. This will be useful to tell the other person to hold on for a moment.

실례합니다 (sillyehamnida)

This phrase means "excuse me," as in "I am sorry for interrupting." You might use this if you're about to interrupt someone. The word 실례 (sillye) means "discourtesy or bad manners," so the phrase translates to "I do/have bad manners."

Professional Apologies: Work and Customer Service

In a Korean professional setting, a standard "sorry" often isn't enough. When dealing with bosses, clients, or customer service errors, you need phrases that convey deep regret and high respect.

대단히 죄송합니다 (daedanhi joesonghamnida)

This translates to "I am deeply sorry." The word 대단히 (daedanhi) adds significant weight to the apology, making it the go-to phrase for serious mistakes at work.

사과드립니다 (sagwadeurimnida)

This is a very formal business expression meaning “I offer my apologies.” Rather than just saying you are sorry, you are "offering an apology" to a superior.

너그러운 양해 부탁드립니다 (neogeureoun yanghae butakdeurimnida)

Often used in business emails or announcements, this phrase translates to "I ask for your kind understanding" regarding an inconvenience, delay, or change in plans. It’s a polite way to acknowledge the situation and ask for patience.

Using "I'm Sorry" in a Sentence

If you'd like to be more specific about what you're apologizing for, you can add them to your sentence. Here's a guide on how you should do it.

At the end of a sentence:

1. -아/어서 죄송합니다 (a/eoseo joesonghamnida)

If you want to say I'm sorry that I am … then you can use the above structure.

Example:

늦어서 죄송합니다 (neujeoseo joesonghamnida) I'm sorry that I am late.

At the start of a sentence:

Alternatively, you can put the word "sorry" at the start of the sentence.

1. 죄송하지만… (joesonghajiman)

Example:

죄송하지만 못 가요 (joesonghajiman mot gayo) I'm sorry, but I can't go.

This can also be used when asking for a favor.

2. 죄송한데… (joesonghande)

Example:

죄송한데 사진 좀 찍어 주시겠어요? (joesonghande sajin jom jjigeo jusigesseoyo) I'm sorry, but could you take a picture for me, please?

How to say "I'm really sorry" in Korean

If you're feeling extra apologetic about something and you want to say, "I'm really sorry," there are various ways to say this in Korean.

We've listed them below.

Formal:

• 정말 죄송합니다 (jeongmal joesonghamnida)
• 미안합니다 (mianhamnida )

Example:

불편을 드려서 정말 죄송합니다. (bulpyeoneul deuryeoseo jeongmal joesonghamnida.) I'm really sorry for the inconvenience.

Standard:

• 죄송해요 (joesonghaeyo)
• 미안해요 (mianhaeyo)

Example:

그 문제에 대해서는 정말 미안해요. ( geu munjee daehaeseoneun jeongmal mianhaeyo.) I'm really sorry about that.

Common Mistakes Foreigners Make

Many learners treat Korean like a 1:1 translation of English, but this leads to common social blunders that can make an apology feel insincere or confusing.

저기요 (jeogiyo) vs. 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida)

In English, we use "I'm sorry" to get a waiter's attention.  In Korean, you don’t need to apologize just to get attention. 저기요 (jeogiyo) is a natural way to call a server, and 죄송합니다 is better when you're inconveniencing them or made a mistake.

Over-apologizing for Minor Bumps

If you accidentally brush against someone in a crowded subway, a full formal apology might be "too much." A quick  죄송해요 (joesonghaeyo) / 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida) or a small nod is more natural. You may also say 잠시만요 (jamsimanyo) when you're trying to get past someone to politely alert them.

Using "Sorry" for Sympathy

Don't say 미안해 (mianhae) when a friend shares bad news. In Korean, this sounds like you are apologizing for causing the problem. Use 어떡해 (eotteokae) or 힘들었겠다 (himdeureotgetda) instead to show you care.

Saying "Sorry" in K-Dramas vs. Real Korean

While K-dramas are great for listening practice, they often exaggerate social interactions for dramatic effect.

The "Grand Apology"

Dramas often feature characters kneeling or making long, emotional speeches. In real life, most Korean apologies are short, concise, and focused on moving forward.

Casual Speech (Banmal)

Characters in dramas often speak casually (미안해) much sooner than people do in real-life social or professional circles.

Tone of Voice

In reality, a polite apology is delivered with a calm, steady, and respectful tone. Overly emotional delivery can sometimes be viewed as performative rather than sincere in a professional environment.

Other Words Related to "I'm Sorry" in Korean

Here are other Korean words related to "I'm sorry" that you can add to your vocabulary.

"Apology" in Korean

The word for "apology" in Korean is 사과 (sagwa). The same word means "apple" in Korean, but it'll be easy to tell them apart based on the context of the sentence.

Example:

제 사과를 받아주세요. (je sagwareul badajuseyo.) Please accept my apology.

사과는 필요 없어요. (sagwaneun piryo eopseoyo.) I don't need an apology.

"To apologize" in Korean

For the verb form of "apology," 하다 (hada), which means "to do," is added to 사과 (sagwa). This forms 사과하다 (sagwahada), meaning to "apologize."

Example:

지금 당장 그에게 사과해요. (jigeum dangjang geuege sagwahaeyo.) Apologize to him right now.

내 무례함에 대해 사과해야겠어요. (nae muryehame daehae sagwahaeyagesseoyo.) I should apologize for the rudeness.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Below are some of the common questions asked about how to say “I’m Sorry” in Korean.

How do you say “I’m sorry” in Korean in informal, polite, and formal speech?

• Informal (to close friends/family): 미안해 (mianhae)
• Polite (general respectful speech): 미안해요 (mianhaeyo) / 죄송해요 (joesonghaeyo)
• Formal (very polite, like in business or service): 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida) / 미안합니다 (mianhamnida) (less common)

 What’s the difference between 죄송하다 and 미안하다?

죄송하다 is more formal and respectful, often used toward elders, customers, or superiors. 미안하다 is more personal and commonly used with friends, peers, or people you’re close to, but it can still be polite in the form 미안해요.

When should I use 잘못했습니다?

 잘못했습니다 (jalmotaetseumnida) means “I was wrong” or “it’s my fault” and is appropriate when fully admitting a mistake, especially in formal contexts.

How do you say “I’m really sorry” or “I’m so sorry”?

 You can make your apology stronger by adding words like 정말 (jeongmal | really), 진짜 (jinjja | really), or 너무 (neomu | so/very) before it.

Example:

• 정말 죄송합니다 (jeongmal joesonghamnida)
• 진짜 미안해요 (jinjja mianhaeyo)

How do Koreans apologize when interrupting or passing by?

Here are two common ways:

• 실례합니다 (sillyehamnida) – Formal “Excuse me,” often used when interrupting someone, entering a room, or asking a stranger for attention.
• 잠시만요 (jamsimanyo) – Polite “Just a moment” or “Excuse me,” often used when trying to pass by someone in a crowd or ask for a brief pause.

Is there an honorific for “to apologize”?

Yes. 사과하다 becomes 사과드리다 (sagwadeurida), a humble and very polite form. Examples:

• 제가 사과드릴게요 (I'll apologize.)
• 진심으로 사과드립니다 (I sincerely apologize.)

How should I physically behave when apologizing in Korean culture?

Offer a slight bow and keep your eye contact gentle and respectful.

How can I respond to an apology in Korean?

If someone apologizes to you in Korean, you can respond with:

• 괜찮아요. (gwaenchanayo.) – “It’s okay.” (polite, neutral)
• 괜찮습니다. (gwaenchanseumnida.) – More formal version.
• 괜찮아. (gwaenchana.) – Casual form, for friends or close people.

Other replies include 신경 쓰지 마세요 (singyeong sseuji maseyo) or 걱정 마세요 (geokjeong maseyo) – “don’t worry”, 별일 아니에요 (byeollil anieyo) – “no big deal.”

These phrases vary by politeness level, so choose one depending on your relationship with the speaker and the situation.

Can “sorry” be used to request something politely?

Yes. In Korean, an apology word like 죄송하지만 (joesonghajiman, “I’m sorry, but…”) or 미안하지만 (mianhajiman, “Sorry, but…”) can be used at the start of a sentence to politely ask for something or introduce a request.

Example:

• 죄송하지만, 이 자리 비었나요? (I’m sorry, but is this seat available?)
• 미안하지만, 문 좀 닫아 줄래? (Sorry, but could you close the door?)

Using this structure softens the request and makes it sound more considerate.

What are some extra sincere apology phrases?

You can say:

• 진심으로 사과드립니다 (jinsimeuro sagwadeurimnida) – I sincerely apologize.
• 용서해 주세요 (yongseohae juseyo) – Please forgive me. 

Is it better to say 죄송합니다 or 미안해요?

It depends on the situation:

• Use 죄송합니다 (joesonghabnida) in formal or respectful situations, such as with bosses, elders, or strangers. It is the safest choice to avoid being rude.
• 미안해요 (mianhaeyo) is polite but best reserved for people of a similar age or rank whom you know personally.

Wrap Up

Now that you know how to say "sorry" in Korean, you can start using it with other basic phrases like hello and goodbye. Remember that its usage is slightly different from how the word "sorry" is used in English, so listen to Koreans, start with watching Korean movies, and try to see how the word "sorry" is used naturally in everyday Korean.

If you want to learn and communicate in Korean, we have a structured online Korean course that will teach you how to have a 3-minute conversation with your Korean loved ones in the first 90 days.

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