How to Say Sorry in Korean 🇰🇷
How do you say “I’m sorry” in Korean?
There is no single answer.
Korean has several ways to apologize, and the expression you choose depends on who you are talking to, how serious the situation is, and how formal you need to sound.
For example, you might say 미안해 to a close friend, but saying the same thing to your boss or an older stranger could sound too casual.
In this lesson, you will learn how to say sorry in Korean from very casual expressions to highly formal apologies.
You will also learn:
- which expressions Koreans actually use in everyday life
- the difference between 미안해 and 죄송합니다
- when 송구합니다 sounds appropriate
- stronger ways to make an apology sound sincere
- expressions you should avoid in the wrong situation
Let’s start with the easiest one.
Table of Contents
The Korean Apology Scale: Casual to Very Formal
A simple way to understand Korean apologies is to imagine them on a scale.
미안 → 미안해 → 미안해요 → 미안합니다 → 죄송해요 → 죄송합니다 → 송구합니다 / 송구스럽습니다
They all express some form of apology, but they do not feel equally polite or natural in every situation.
Casual Ways to Say Sorry in Korean
1. 미안
🔊 Listen: 미안
mian
Sorry
미안 is one of the shortest and most casual ways to apologize.
It is usually used between people who are already very close.
Example:
A: 왜 이렇게 늦었어?
Why are you so late?
B: 미안.
Sorry.
When to use it
Use 미안 with:
- very close friends
- siblings
- romantic partners
- people younger than you
Do not use it as your default apology with strangers or older people.
2. 미안해
🔊 Listen: 미안해
mianhae
I’m sorry
미안해 is one of the most common casual apologies in Korean.
It sounds warmer and more complete than simply 미안.
Example:
미안해. 내가 늦었어.
I’m sorry. I was late.
You will hear this expression constantly in K-dramas and conversations between friends.
미안 vs 미안해
미안
→ short and casual
미안해
→ still casual, but sounds more complete and natural as a full apology
Polite Ways to Say Sorry in Korean
3. 미안해요
🔊 Listen: 미안해요
mianhaeyo
I’m sorry
Adding -요 makes the expression polite.
미안해요 is polite but still feels relatively personal and soft.
Example:
늦어서 미안해요.
I’m sorry for being late.
It can work with people you are not extremely close to, but in many situations involving strangers or professional relationships, 죄송합니다 is safer.
4. 미안합니다
🔊 Listen: 미안합니다
mianhamnida
I’m sorry
미안합니다 is the formal form of 미안하다.
It is grammatically correct and respectful, but in everyday Korean, 죄송합니다 is often more natural when making a formal apology.
Example:
불편을 드려 미안합니다.
I’m sorry for causing inconvenience.
For Korean learners, it is useful to recognize 미안합니다, but you will often be better served by learning 죄송합니다 as your main formal apology.
The Most Useful Polite Apology in Korean
5. 죄송해요
🔊 Listen: 죄송해요
joesonghaeyo
I’m sorry
죄송해요 is polite and respectful.
It sounds more apologetic than 미안해요.
Example:
기다리게 해서 죄송해요.
I’m sorry for making you wait.
This works well in many everyday polite situations.
6. 죄송합니다
🔊 Listen: 죄송합니다
joesonghamnida
I’m sorry / I apologize
For most Korean learners, this is probably the most important formal Korean apology to remember.
Use 죄송합니다 when apologizing to:
- strangers
- customers
- teachers
- older people
- coworkers
- supervisors
- service staff
- people you do not know well
Example:
늦어서 죄송합니다.
I’m sorry for being late.
A useful rule
If you are not sure whether to say 미안해요 or 죄송합니다, 죄송합니다 is usually the safer choice in a formal or unfamiliar situation.
Very Formal Ways to Apologize in Korean
7. 송구합니다
🔊 Listen: 송구합니다
songguhamnida
I sincerely apologize / I am deeply sorry
송구합니다 is much more formal than 죄송합니다.
It is not an expression most people use casually with friends.
You are more likely to hear it in:
- formal announcements
- business apologies
- public statements
- customer-service situations
- very respectful communication
Example:
불편을 끼쳐 드려 송구합니다.
We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.
For everyday Korean learners, you should understand this expression, but you probably will not need to use it very often.
8. 송구스럽습니다
🔊 Listen: 송구스럽습니다
songguseureopseumnida
I feel deeply sorry / I feel apologetic
송구스럽습니다 expresses a feeling of being deeply apologetic, embarrassed, or sorry for causing trouble.
It sounds extremely formal.
Example:
이런 말씀을 드리게 되어 송구스럽습니다.
I feel deeply sorry to have to tell you this.
It may appear in:
- formal speeches
- official apologies
- business communication
- serious public statements
It would sound unusual if you used it because you were five minutes late meeting a friend.
How to Make Your Korean Apology Stronger
Sometimes simply saying 죄송합니다 is not enough.
You can add words that show stronger sincerity.
9. 정말 미안해
🔊 Listen: 정말 미안해
jeongmal mianhae
I’m really sorry
정말 means “really.”
This is a natural way to make a casual apology stronger.
Example:
정말 미안해. 내가 잘못했어.
I’m really sorry. It was my fault.
10. 정말 죄송합니다
🔊 Listen: 정말 죄송합니다
jeongmal joesonghamnida
I’m really sorry
This is one of the easiest ways to make a polite apology sound more sincere.
Example:
기다리게 해서 정말 죄송합니다.
I’m really sorry for making you wait.
11. 진심으로 죄송합니다
🔊 Listen: 진심으로 죄송합니다
jinsimeuro joesonghamnida
I sincerely apologize
진심으로 means:
sincerely / from the heart
This sounds stronger and more serious than simply 죄송합니다.
Example:
제 실수에 대해 진심으로 죄송합니다.
I sincerely apologize for my mistake.
This works particularly well for serious apologies.
12. 사과드립니다
🔊 Listen: 사과드립니다
sagadeurimnida
I apologize / Please accept my apology
사과 means apology, and 사과드리다 is a respectful way of saying “to offer an apology.”
This is commonly used in formal or professional contexts.
Example:
불편을 드린 점 사과드립니다.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
You may hear this in:
- company statements
- official notices
- customer service
- professional emails
Want to understand when to use casual, polite, and formal Korean? Learn the difference in our complete guide to Korean Speech Levels.👇
Other Useful Korean Expressions When Apologizing
A natural apology usually contains more than just “sorry.”
These expressions can make your Korean sound much more realistic.
제 잘못이에요
🔊 Listen: 제 잘못이에요
je jalmusieyo
It’s my fault.
Example:
제 잘못이에요. 죄송합니다.
It’s my fault. I’m sorry.
This is useful when you want to take responsibility.
내가 잘못했어
🔊 Listen: 내가 잘못했어
naega jalmothaesseo
I was wrong / It was my fault
This is the casual version.
Example:
내가 잘못했어. 미안해.
I was wrong. I’m sorry.
용서해 줘
🔊 Listen: 용서해 줘
yongseohae jwo
Please forgive me
This is much stronger emotionally than simply saying 미안해.
It is usually used when the situation is serious.
Example:
정말 미안해. 용서해 줘.
I’m really sorry. Please forgive me.
실례합니다
🔊 Listen: 실례합니다
sillyehamnida
Excuse me
This is not exactly the same as “I’m sorry.”
Use it when:
- interrupting someone
- passing by someone
- entering a room
- politely getting someone’s attention
Example:
실례합니다. 잠시 지나갈게요.
Excuse me. Let me pass for a moment.
This distinction is important for beginners because English uses “sorry” and “excuse me” in situations where Korean may use completely different expressions.
미안해 vs 죄송합니다: What Is the Difference?
This is one of the most important things to understand when learning how to say sorry in Korean.
미안해
Use it with someone close to you.
It sounds:
- casual
- personal
- friendly
Example:
미안해.
Sorry.
죄송합니다
Use it when respect is required.
It sounds:
- polite
- formal
- respectful
Example:
죄송합니다.
I’m sorry.
A simple rule for beginners:
Friends → 미안해
Strangers / older people / formal situations → 죄송합니다
That rule is not perfect for every situation, but it will keep you out of trouble most of the time.
미안합니다 vs 죄송합니다
Both are formal, but they do not feel identical.
미안합니다 is grammatically formal.
죄송합니다 generally sounds more respectful and is much more useful as a standard formal apology.
For example, if you accidentally bump into a stranger in Korea:
죄송합니다!
sounds very natural.
Using:
미안합니다!
is possible, but less common in that particular everyday situation.
For learners, 죄송합니다 should be your default formal apology.
죄송합니다 vs 송구합니다
These two expressions differ mainly in formality.
죄송합니다
Normal respectful apology.
Useful in everyday situations.
송구합니다
Very formal and serious.
More common in official, professional, or public communication.
So if you accidentally step on someone’s shoe:
✅ 죄송합니다.
You normally do not need:
❌ 송구합니다.
The second sounds unnecessarily formal.
Which Korean Apology Should You Use?
Here is an easy guide.
Close friend
미안
미안해
Someone you know but want to be polite to
미안해요
죄송해요
Stranger, teacher, older person, customer, or professional situation
죄송합니다
Serious formal apology
진심으로 죄송합니다
사과드립니다
Extremely formal or official communication
송구합니다
송구스럽습니다
Example Korean Apologies in Real Situations
You Are Late Meeting a Friend
늦어서 미안해.
Sorry I’m late.
You Are Late for a Meeting
늦어서 죄송합니다.
I’m sorry for being late.
You Accidentally Bump Into Someone
죄송합니다!
Sorry!
You Made a Serious Mistake
정말 죄송합니다. 제 잘못입니다.
I’m really sorry. It was my fault.
A Company Is Apologizing to Customers
불편을 드린 점 진심으로 사과드립니다.
We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.
This is why learning only one translation of “sorry” is not enough. Korean speakers choose different expressions based on the relationship and situation.
How to Say Sorry in Korean: Quick Reference
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 미안 | mian | sorry | very casual |
| 미안해 | mianhae | I’m sorry | casual |
| 미안해요 | mianhaeyo | I’m sorry | polite |
| 미안합니다 | mianhamnida | I’m sorry | formal |
| 죄송해요 | joesonghaeyo | I’m sorry | polite/respectful |
| 죄송합니다 | joesonghamnida | I’m sorry | formal/respectful |
| 정말 미안해 | jeongmal mianhae | I’m really sorry | casual |
| 정말 죄송합니다 | jeongmal joesonghamnida | I’m really sorry | formal |
| 진심으로 죄송합니다 | jinsimeuro joesonghamnida | I sincerely apologize | formal/serious |
| 사과드립니다 | sagadeurimnida | I apologize | formal |
| 송구합니다 | songguhamnida | I sincerely apologize | very formal |
| 송구스럽습니다 | songguseureopseumnida | I feel deeply sorry | very formal |
Test Yourself: Which Korean “Sorry” Should You Use?
Imagine these situations.
1. You forgot to call your best friend.
미안해.
2. You accidentally bump into a stranger.
죄송합니다.
3. Your company caused a serious inconvenience.
진심으로 사과드립니다.
4. You are speaking in an extremely formal public statement.
송구합니다.
Understanding the situation is just as important as memorizing the vocabulary.
The Most Important Expressions for Beginners
If you do not want to memorize everything yet, start with these four:
미안해
For close friends.
미안해요
A softer polite apology.
죄송합니다
The most useful respectful apology.
정말 죄송합니다
For a stronger and more sincere apology.
If you can confidently choose between these four, you can handle most everyday apology situations in Korean.
Keep Learning Natural Korean 🇰🇷
Now you know that learning how to say sorry in Korean is not as simple as memorizing one word.
Korean changes depending on your relationship with the listener and the seriousness of the situation.
Remember the basic progression:
미안 → 미안해 → 미안해요 → 죄송합니다 → 진심으로 죄송합니다
Then recognize more formal expressions such as:
사과드립니다
송구합니다
송구스럽습니다
You do not need to use the most formal expression to sound more Korean.
The important thing is choosing the right level for the situation.
The next time you hear someone apologize in a K-drama, Korean video, or real conversation, listen carefully.
Which version of “sorry” did they use — and who were they talking to?
