How to Say "I'm sorry" in Chinese
The most natural way to say "I'm sorry" in Chinese is 对不起. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.
Other ways to say it
When to use it
Use '对不起' when you want to apologize sincerely for a mistake or inconvenience. It is appropriate in both formal and informal situations. You can use it when bumping into someone or when you need to express regret for a misunderstanding.
Say it out loud, get corrected
Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "I'm sorry" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.
Examples in Chinese
| Chinese | English |
|---|---|
| 对不起，我迟到了。 | I'm sorry, I am late. |
| 对不起，我没有听清楚。 | I'm sorry, I didn't hear clearly. |
The fastest way to remember it
Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear 对不起, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Chinese with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.
Frequently asked questions
When should I use '对不起' instead of '抱歉'?
'对不起' is used in everyday conversations, while '抱歉' is more formal and suitable for written contexts.
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