How to Say Sorry in Korean: Formal VS Polite Ways
Essential Korean Expressions
How to Say Sorry in Korean: 죄송합니다 vs. 미안해
Learn which Korean apology to use with strangers, elders, coworkers, acquaintances, close friends, and family.
Lesson Summary
- 죄송합니다 is the safest formal apology for strangers, elders, and professional situations.
- 미안합니다 is formal but generally less deferential than 죄송합니다.
- 미안해요 is polite and friendly for peers or acquaintances.
- 미안해 is casual and reserved for close relationships.
- 괜찮아요 is the most common polite response meaning “It’s okay.”
Knowing how to say sorry in Korean helps you handle mistakes, interruptions, crowded public spaces, and social misunderstandings with appropriate respect.
Because Korean apologies change according to age, hierarchy, and closeness, choosing the right speech level is just as important as learning the vocabulary.
Knowing how to say sorry in Korean is an essential skill for anyone studying the language, traveling to South Korea, or interacting with native speakers. In Korean culture, offering a sincere apology goes beyond resolving a mistake—it is a vital sign of respect, social harmony, and consideration for others.
Unlike English, where the single word "sorry" covers almost every situation, Korean uses distinct verbs depending on social hierarchy, age, and relationship closeness. The main distinction lies between two core vocabulary roots: 죄송 (Joesong) and 미안 (Mian). In this complete guide, you will learn the exact phrases to use in formal, polite, and casual situations, how to say "excuse me," and how to accept an apology naturally.
1. The Most Formal Apology: 죄송합니다 (Joe-song-ham-ni-da)
When you need to make a formal, highly respectful apology, 죄송합니다 (Joe-song-ham-ni-da) is the phrase you should always choose.
• Hangul: 죄송합니다
• Pronunciation: Jweh-song-hahm-nee-dah
• Politeness Level: Formal Honorific (합쇼체 - Hapsio-che)
• Literal Meaning: "I feel apologetic / I have committed a fault."
When to use it: Use 죄송합니다 with elders, bosses, teachers, customers, strangers, and in any professional environment. If you bump into someone on the subway in Seoul or arrive late for a job interview, this is the safest and most respectful phrase to use.
The word 죄송 (罪悚 - Joesong) is derived from Hanja (Chinese characters), where 죄 (Jwe) means "crime/fault" and 송 (Song) means "fear/sorrow." Because of its deep formal roots, it is reserved strictly for polite and honorific speech.
2. Alternative Formal Apology: 미안합니다 (Mi-an-ham-ni-da)
Another formal option you will often encounter in textbooks is 미안합니다 (Mi-an-ham-ni-da).
• Hangul: 미안합니다
• Pronunciation: Mee-ahn-hahm-nee-dah
• Politeness Level: Formal Polite
When to use it: While 미안합니다 is grammatically polite and formal, it is slightly less respectful than 죄송합니다. It is typically used by an older person addressing a younger adult in a polite setting, or among colleagues of similar rank. When apologizing to elders, superiors, or complete strangers, 죄송합니다 remains the preferred choice.
3. Everyday Polite Apologies: 죄송해요 (Joe-song-hae-yo) & 미안해요 (Mi-an-hae-yo)
In standard daily conversations, adding the polite sentence ending 요 (-yo) creates a polite yet warm tone suitable for peers and acquaintances.
| Phrase | Hangul | Pronunciation | Best Usage Scenario |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joesonghaeyo | 죄송해요 | Jweh-song-heh-yo | Polite & Respectful: Great for everyday mild mistakes with acquaintances or service staff. |
| Mianhaeyo | 미안해요 | Mee-ahn-heh-yo | Polite & Friendly: Used with colleagues, friends of similar age, or people younger than you. |
4. Casual Apologies for Close Friends: 미안해 (Mi-an-hae) & 미안 (Mi-an)
When chatting with close friends, family members, or children, drop the formal suffixes and use informal casual speech (반말 - Banmal).
• Hangul: 미안해 / 미안
• Pronunciation: Mee-ahn-heh / Mee-ahn
• Politeness Level: Informal Casual (반말)
When to use it: Only use 미안해 or the shortened 미안 with close friends of the same age, younger siblings, or close relatives. Never use casual apologies with teachers, elders, or strangers, as doing so sounds disrespectful.
You might wonder if you can drop 요 from 죄송해요 to say "죄송해." While native speakers understand it, combining the formal root 죄송 with casual 해 is unnatural and rarely used. Stick to 미안해 for casual apologies!
5. Saying "Excuse Me" in Korean: 실례합니다 (Sil-rye-ham-ni-da)
In English, we often say "sorry" when we mean "excuse me" (e.g., trying to squeeze past someone or getting a waiter's attention). In Korean, specific phrases handle these situations:
| English Meaning | Hangul | Pronunciation | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excuse me (for interrupting/passing) | 실례합니다 | Seel-lyeh-hahm-nee-dah | Passing through a crowd or asking a stranger for help. |
| Excuse me! (Over here!) | 저기요 | Jeo-gi-yo | Calling a waiter or server in a café or restaurant. |
| Just a moment / Passing through | 잠시만요 | Jam-shi-man-yo | Stepping through subway doors or crowded elevators. |
6. How to Respond When Someone Says Sorry in Korean
When someone apologizes to you, accepting gracefully is important. Here are the 3 most natural ways to reply:
1. 괜찮아요 (Gwaen-chan-ah-yo) — "It's Okay / No Problem" (Most Common)
The standard, polite response used in almost every situation is 괜찮아요 (Gwaen-chan-ah-yo). To a close friend, you can simply say 괜찮아 (Gwaen-chan-ah).
2. 아니에요 (A-ni-e-yo) — "No, not at all"
Meaning "no, it's nothing," this phrase reassures the speaker that no harm was done.
3. 신경 쓰지 마세요 (Sin-gyeong sseu-ji ma-se-yo) — "Don't worry about it"
Literally translating to "please don't pay attention to it," this is a warm, polite way to tell someone not to stress over a small mistake.
Summary Comparison Table: Korean Apology Expressions
| English Phrase | Hangul | Romanization | Speech Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| I am sorry (Most Formal) | 죄송합니다 | Joe-song-ham-ni-da | Formal Honorific (Safest) |
| I am sorry (Standard Formal) | 미안합니다 | Mi-an-ham-ni-da | Formal Polite |
| I'm sorry (Polite Everyday) | 죄송해요 / 미안해요 | Joe-song-hae-yo / Mi-an-hae-yo | Polite (Acquaintances) |
| Sorry (Casual) | 미안해 / 미안 | Mi-an-hae / Mi-an | Casual (Close friends) |
| Excuse me (Polite) | 실례합니다 | Sil-rye-ham-ni-da | Formal (Asking for help) |
| It's okay / No problem | 괜찮아요 | Gwaen-chan-ah-yo | Polite Response |
Korean Culture Tips
- When unsure, use 죄송합니다 with a small bow.
- A sincere tone and respectful body language matter as much as the words.
- 저기요 gets a server’s attention; it is not a direct apology.
- 잠시만요 is useful when moving through a crowded subway, elevator, or doorway.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Do not use 미안해 with strangers, elders, teachers, or supervisors.
- Do not use 죄송해 as your default casual apology; 미안해 is more natural.
- Do not confuse 실례합니다 with a full apology for a serious mistake.
- Keep the same politeness level throughout the interaction.
Quick Knowledge Check
Test your understanding of Korean apologies in different social contexts.
Question 1: You accidentally bump into an elderly person on the street in Seoul. Which apology should you use?
A) 미안해 (Mi-an-hae)
B) 죄송합니다 (Joe-song-ham-ni-da)
C) 괜찮아요 (Gwaen-chan-ah-yo)
Question 2: What is the difference between 죄송합니다 and 미안해?
A) 죄송합니다 is casual; 미안해 is formal
B) 죄송합니다 is formal honorific; 미안해 is casual for close friends
C) They mean completely different things
Question 3: How do you call a server's attention at a restaurant in Korea?
A) 실례합니다 (Sil-rye-ham-ni-da)
B) 저기요 (Jeo-gi-yo)
C) 미안합니다 (Mi-an-ham-ni-da)
Question 4: Someone bumps into you and says "죄송합니다!" How do you politely reply "It's okay"?
A) 괜찮아요 (Gwaen-chan-ah-yo)
B) 미안해요 (Mi-an-hae-yo)
C) 저기요 (Jeo-gi-yo)
Show Answers
Answers:
1. B) 죄송합니다 — Always use formal honorific speech with elders and strangers.
2. B) 죄송합니다 is formal honorific; 미안해 is casual for close friends.
3. B) 저기요 — "Jeogiyo" is the standard phrase to get a restaurant server's attention.
4. A) 괜찮아요 — "Gwaenchanahyo" means "It's okay" or "No problem."
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common way to say sorry in Korean?
The most common and respectful way to say sorry in Korean is 죄송합니다 (Joe-song-ham-ni-da). It can be used safely with strangers, elders, bosses, and in public situations.
What is the difference between 죄송합니다 and 미안합니다?
Both are formal apologies, but 죄송합니다 is more respectful and honorific. 미안합니다 is slightly less formal and typically used when addressing peers or younger people in polite settings.
Can I say 미안해 to my Korean teacher or boss?
No! 미안해 (Mi-an-hae) is casual speech (반말). Using it with a teacher, boss, or elder is considered rude. Use 죄송합니다 instead.
How do you say "I'm really sorry" in Korean?
To emphasize your apology, place 정말 (Jeong-mal) or 너무 (Neo-mu) in front: "정말 죄송합니다" (Jeong-mal joe-song-ham-ni-da) means "I am truly sorry."
Should I bow when apologizing in Korean?
Yes! Bowing slightly while apologizing shows genuine sincerity and respect, which is an integral part of South Korean etiquette.
What does 괜찮아요 (Gwaenchanahyo) mean?
괜찮아요 means "It's okay" or "I'm fine." It is the most natural way to accept an apology when someone says sorry to you.
Conclusion
Mastering how to say sorry in Korean helps you navigate social situations smoothly while demonstrating cultural respect. Remember: when in doubt, default to 죄송합니다 (Joe-song-ham-ni-da) with a slight head bow. For close friends, stick to 미안해 (Mi-an-hae). Keep practicing these phrases, and you will feel far more confident in your everyday Korean conversations!
