Sorry in Chinese: Essential Phrases to Apologize and Explain Yourself

We know that an apology is more than just saying sorry.🙏 When speaking English, the appropriate apology needs to be paired with the right contexts, explanations, compensation, tones, and gestures. Well, learning Chinese apology is the same case! To act properly, we need to know more than just phrases, but also when and how to use them! Let's talk about how to say you're sorry, the right way.

The core concept of saying sorry in Chinese: It’s about the "heart."

First, we need to understand the Chinese philosophy of an apology. Basically, it’s about the act of saying a specific word and demonstrating sincerity — the "heart" of the matter. In other words, the language gives you tools to show the weight of your regret, your intention to repair, and your understanding of the social dynamics you’ve disrupted.

Say sorry with 不好意思

The most common, all-purpose word to say sorry is . You’ll love this phrase for minor, everyday slip-ups. It’s your go-to for bumping into someone, being slightly late, or asking for a small favor. It translates more to "my bad", "pardon me", or even "excuse me" than a deep, soul-searching apology.

The upside to this is its versatility and light tone. The downside? It’s utterly insufficient for serious matters. Using it for a major offense would seem dismissive, like you're not taking things seriously at all.

Apologize with 对不起

On the other hand, you have the heavyweight: . This is the classic way to say sorry in Chinese Mandarin, carrying much more gravity. It acknowledges fault and expresses regret.

But here’s the catch — in some contexts, especially in hierarchical relationships, saying can be seen as formally taking all blame, which people sometimes avoid until absolutely necessary. It’s powerful, so you deploy it thoughtfully. So far as serious mistakes are concerned, this is your starting block. You’ll often hear it in more formal or earnest situations, and it’s frequently strengthened with additional phrases to show depth of feeling.

How to layer your apology in the Chinese language?

Alright, you’ve got the two main words. Now for the real skill: layering. A standalone "sorry" often feels incomplete. The magic happens when you build out your apology to fit the specific scenario. Think of it as apology math — the severity of the mistake plus the closeness of the relationship equals the required phraseology.

For instance, after , you almost always explain or take responsibility.

More or less, you’re showing the "heart" through your follow-through. If you're dealing with a friend or someone close, your tone can be more personal and direct. If you're apologizing to a boss or elder, the language leans more respectful and formal.

When and how to pair an apology in Chinese Mandarin with actions and gifts?

Sometimes, words alone — no matter how perfectly chosen — aren't enough. This is where Chinese apology culture gets practical. In other words, you back up your with tangible signals of your sincerity. It's a recognition that you’ve cost someone time, face, or comfort, and you’re offering something to offset that.

A very common, almost ritualistic, extension of an apology is the phrase:
。
Let me buy you a meal.
。
Let me treat you to a cup of milk tea/coffee. (This is more common among young people.)

It’s not a bribe; it’s a social script for creating a relaxed space to reconnect and smooth things over. The act of sharing a meal is reparative. Similarly, offering a small gift, like fruit or tea, can be a physical embodiment of your regret in the Mandarin Chinese culture.

The key is that the gesture should be appropriate to the misstep — a fruit basket for forgetting a meeting, not for crashing someone’s car.

How to respond when someone says sorry?

Alright, so someone has just apologized to you. Now what? Your response is just as crucial as their initial "sorry" — it’s your turn to signal the status of the relationship and close the loop on the incident.

The most universal and essential phrase you need is . Think of this as your "no problem," "it's fine," or "don't mention it." It’s the standard, polite, and slightly informal way to accept an apology for everyday mistakes.

If a friend says (Sorry, I'm five minutes late), a warm is the perfect, breezy reply. You can also use (It doesn't matter/It's not serious) or (It's nothing). These all serve to minimize the offense and tell the other person, "We're good."

But here’s where it gets culturally rich — often, the best response involves deflecting the blame or sharing the responsibility. This is a cornerstone of maintaining harmony. So, if a colleague apologizes for a minor collaborative error, you might respond:
。
I also share some responsibility.
。
This isn't entirely your problem.

Even if it was entirely their fault, this gesture is a powerful social lubricant. It prevents them from losing too much "face" and reinforces your team bond. In other words, you're not just accepting the apology; you're actively helping to restore balance. But, be careful not to overuse this, in case people start shifting blame onto you!

Pick up how to say sorry in Chinese in your leisure time!

One of the most common situations is that you say you're sorry to Chinese speakers, and they reply something more than or . Now you're dumbfounded, and don't know what they are saying... That's why in the long run, you need media intake to help you learn Chinese.

The good news is, Migaku app can help generate Chinese subtitles even when the video does not feature any. For example, Migaku app can generate subtitles for this cut from The Knockout with the English translation. You can also click the words or sentences to add them to your flashcard collections and review them later.

FAQs

Now you know how to ask for forgiveness, what next?

Basically, apologizing well in Chinese is a sign of deep cultural fluency. It shows you understand that communication is about maintaining harmony, not just transmitting information. You’ll love the results when you get it right — deeper trust, smoother relationships, and the confidence that you’re handling social bumps with grace. On the other hand, there are so many different situations related to apologies. You will certainly find some interesting cases on dramas, movies, and talk shows etc.

The first to apologize is the bravest!