"Sorry" is one of the most important phrases to get right in Korean, because using the wrong politeness level — too casual with an elder, or oddly stiff with a close friend — lands badly. Korean draws a clear line between an everyday 'sorry' and a formal, humble apology. Here's how to say it across every level, the 'excuse me' phrases people mix up with it, and how to accept an apology. It runs on the same honorifics logic behind all Korean speech.
미안해 / 미안해요 — the everyday sorry
The common, personal 'sorry' comes from 미안하다 (mianhada). The ending sets the politeness — the same 반말 vs 존댓말 split that runs through Korean.
- 미안mian
Sorry (very casual)
Clipped and informal — between close friends.
- 미안해mianhae
Sorry (casual / 반말)
For friends, a partner, or someone younger.
- 미안해요mianhaeyo
Sorry (polite)
The -요 ending — safe with most people you're not super close to.
- 정말 미안해jeongmal mianhae
I'm really sorry (casual)
정말 ('really') adds weight. Polite: 정말 미안해요.
죄송합니다 — the formal apology
When you're apologizing to someone older or of higher status, a stranger, a customer, or in any serious situation, you switch to 죄송하다 (joesonghada). It's more humble and respectful than 미안하다.
- 죄송해요joesonghaeyo
Sorry (polite, more respectful)
Softer than the fully formal version but clearly respectful.
- 죄송합니다joesonghamnida
I'm sorry (formal)
The standard formal apology — strangers, elders, work, service.
- 정말 죄송합니다jeongmal joesonghamnida
I'm truly sorry (formal)
For a genuine, serious apology.
"Excuse me" — not the same as sorry
- 실례합니다sillyehamnida
Excuse me (formal)
To get attention, pass by, or politely interrupt. Not an apology for a mistake.
- 저기요jeogiyo
Excuse me (to call someone)
The everyday way to flag down a server or a stranger.
- 괜찮아요gwaenchanayo
It's okay (reply to an apology)
How you accept someone's sorry. Casual: 괜찮아.
Which one should you use?
- To a friend, sibling, or partner: 미안해 (or 미안).
- To a polite-but-not-close acquaintance or coworker your age: 미안해요.
- To anyone older or higher-status, a stranger, or a customer: 죄송합니다 / 죄송해요.
- Just getting attention or passing by — not apologizing: 실례합니다 or 저기요.
As with every Korean phrase, the real skill is matching the level to the person — and that only comes from using it. In our AI character chat, you can practice apologizing to a casual friend with 미안해 and to an older character with 죄송합니다, and feel the difference. Pair this with the everyday phrases in our basic greetings guide.
Say sorry for real
Practice 미안해 and 죄송합니다 in a real Korean conversation with an AI character who replies at the right speech level.
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