sorry in korean
How to Say "Sorry" in Korean (미안해 / 죄송합니다): Casual to Formal
미안해
mianhae
Quick answer
Say 미안해 (mianhae) to a close friend and 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida) in formal or serious situations — they carry very different social weight.
Common forms
| Register | Hangul | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| casual | 미안해 | mianhae | Casual apology between friends or partners — the K-drama staple. Warm and personal, best used with people you're already close to. |
| polite | 미안해요 | mianhaeyo | Polite form of 미안해, suitable for people slightly above your social level or those you're not yet close with. Friendlier than 죄송합니다 but more respectful than the casual form. |
| formal | 죄송합니다 | joesonghamnida | More formal and weightier — for serious mistakes, strangers, elders, or professional settings. The weight of this apology signals you understand the severity of the situation. |
| really sorry | 정말 미안해 | jeongmal mianhae | Intensified with 정말 (really/truly) — sincerely apologetic between friends. Adding 너무 (neomu) instead gives it even more emotional urgency. |
How it changes by relationship
미안, 진짜 미안해.
Mian, jinjja mianhae.
to a close friend: Repeating 미안 first and then 진짜 미안해 emphasizes how genuinely sorry you are — very natural in Korean when you want the apology to land. The repetition isn't redundant; it's emotive.
미안해, 내 잘못이야.
Mianhae, nae jalmos-iya.
to a romantic partner: 내 잘못이야 (it's my fault) is the complete K-drama apology — taking full responsibility paired with the emotional apology. This combination feels sincere and accountable.
죄송합니다.
Joesonghamnida.
to an elder or senior: Safe and respectful; never use 미안해 with someone significantly older in a formal context — it can sound like you're treating them as a peer when the relationship doesn't warrant it.
죄송합니다!
Joesonghamnida!
to a stranger (bumping into them, etc.): Quick polite sorry in public — you'll hear this constantly in Korea. In crowded subway stations and busy markets, 죄송합니다 is reflexive and expected.
Examples
늦어서 미안해!
Neujeoseo mianhae!
Sorry I'm late!
불편을 드려서 죄송합니다.
Bulpyeoneul deuryeoseo joesonghamnida.
I'm sorry for the inconvenience.
나 잘못했어, 미안.
Na jalmothaesseo, mian.
I was wrong, I'm sorry.
Usage note
Korean apologies are most convincing when they include the reason — saying just 미안해 alone can feel abrupt or like you're apologizing out of habit. Adding -어서 / -아서 (because) after the cause verb makes it feel grounded: 늦어서 미안해 (sorry for being late) or 그래서 죄송합니다 (I'm sorry about that). A culturally important distinction: 죄송합니다 is not just a stronger 미안해 — it implies humility toward someone of higher status or in a more formal relationship. Using 미안해 casually with an elder is a common mistake that can come across as too familiar.
Mini quiz
What is the primary Korean phrase for "sorry" here?
FAQ
What's the difference between 미안해 and 죄송합니다?
미안해 (mianhae) is casual and personal — for close relationships. 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida) is formal and signals deeper respect or seriousness. The two are not just different formality levels; they fit different relationship types entirely.
How do I say 'I'm so sorry'?
정말 미안해 (jeongmal mianhae) casually, or 정말 죄송합니다 (jeongmal joesonghamnida) formally. 너무 미안해 (neomu mianhae) — so sorry — is also very common in close relationships.
What do you say back when someone apologizes in Korean?
괜찮아 (gwaenchana, it's okay) is the most common reply between friends. More formally, 괜찮아요 or 괜찮습니다. You can also say 아니에요, 별거 아니에요 (no, it's nothing) to put the other person at ease.
Is there a way to say sorry for a minor inconvenience without being dramatic?
실례합니다 (sillyehamnida, excuse me / sorry to intrude) works for minor interruptions or passing by someone. 잠깐만요 (excuse me, one moment) also softens minor intrusions.
How do I apologize for a serious mistake to a Korean boss or elder?
제가 잘못했습니다, 죄송합니다 (jega jalmothaesseumnida, joesonghamnida) — 'I was wrong, I'm deeply sorry' — is a full, sincere formal apology. Adding 다시는 그러지 않겠습니다 (I won't do it again) shows genuine accountability.
Can 미안 (mian) be used alone?
Yes — 미안 alone is a quick, casual 'sorry' between friends, similar to 'my bad' in English. It's less complete than 미안해 but totally natural in casual conversation.