How to Say Sorry in Korean: Complete Guide (2026)

Learning how to apologize properly in Korean can save you from some seriously awkward situations. Whether you accidentally bumped into someone on the Seoul subway or need to apologize to your Korean friend for being late, knowing the right expression matters. The Korean language has multiple ways to say sorry, and using the wrong formality level can make things even more uncomfortable. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about saying sorry in Korean, from casual apologies to your friends to formal expressions for professional settings.

The two main words for sorry in Korean

Korean has two primary words for expressing apologies: 미안하다 (mianhada) and 죄송하다 (joesonghada). These aren't just different ways to say the same thing. They carry different levels of formality and respect.

미안하다 (mianhada) is the more casual option. You'll use this with friends, family members, or people younger than you. It's the go-to apology when you're in relaxed social situations.

죄송하다 (joesonghada) is the formal, respectful version. This is what you use with strangers, elderly people, bosses, customers, or anyone you need to show respect toward. When in doubt with someone you just met, go with 죄송하다.

Here's the thing: you rarely use these base forms in actual conversation. They're dictionary forms, kind of like how "to be" is the dictionary form of "am" or "is" in English. You need to conjugate them based on the situation.

Formal apologies: 죄송합니다

죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida) is the most formal way to say sorry in Korean. You'll hear this constantly in customer service situations, business meetings, news broadcasts, and any formal setting.

Pronunciation guide: "joe-song-ham-nee-da"

Use 죄송합니다 when you're apologizing to:

This is the safest option when you're unsure about the appropriate formality level. Nobody will be offended by you being too polite in Korean culture.

Example sentences:

Polite apologies: 미안해요 and 죄송해요

The polite form sits between formal and casual. It's respectful but not stiff. This is what you'll use most often in everyday conversations with people you're not super close with.

미안해요 (mianhaeyo) - polite casual apology Pronunciation: "mee-ahn-hae-yo"

죄송해요 (joesonghaeyo) - polite formal apology Pronunciation: "joe-song-hae-yo"

Both work in similar situations, but 죄송해요 carries slightly more respect. Think of 미안해요 as "I'm sorry" and 죄송해요 as "I apologize."

You'll use these with:

Example conversations:

Casual apologies: 미안해 and 미안

미안해 (mianhae) is the casual form you use with close friends, siblings, or people younger than you.

Pronunciation: "mee-ahn-hae"

You can make it even more casual by dropping the 해 and just saying 미안 (mian). This ultra-casual version works with really close friends or in text messages.

When to use casual apologies:

Example text messages:

Making your apology stronger

Sometimes a simple sorry isn't enough. You can intensify your apology by adding modifiers before the apology word.

정말 (jeongmal) means "really" or "truly"

너무 (neomu) means "so" or "very"

진짜 (jinjja) is a casual way to say "really"

You can even combine them for extra emphasis:

The verb form: 사과하다

사과하다 (sagwahada) literally means "to apologize." This is more formal and deliberate than just saying sorry. You're making an official apology.

Common conjugations:

You'll see this in formal statements, news articles, or when someone is making an official public apology. It's less common in everyday conversation but important to recognize.

Example:

When should I use "joesonghamnida" instead of "mianhae"?

This is probably the most common question Korean learners have about apologies. The answer comes down to formality and relationship.

Use 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida) when:

Use 미안해 (mianhae) when:

The middle ground (미안해요 or 죄송해요) works for most everyday situations where you need to be polite but not overly formal.

How to respond to apologies in Korean

Knowing how to accept an apology is just as important as knowing how to give one.

괜찮아요 (gwaenchanayo) - It's okay (polite) Pronunciation: "gwaen-chahn-ah-yo"

This is the most common response. You're telling the person that everything is fine and they shouldn't worry about it.

괜찮아 (gwaenchana) - It's okay (casual) Use this with friends.

아니에요 (anieyo) - No, no (polite) This is a polite way to brush off the apology, like saying "don't worry about it."

신경 쓰지 마세요 (singyeong sseuji maseyo) - Don't worry about it (polite) A more elaborate way to tell someone not to stress over their mistake.

Example exchange:

Asking for forgiveness: will you forgive me in Korean

Sometimes you need to go beyond a simple apology and actually ask for forgiveness.

용서해 주세요 (yongseohae juseyo) - Please forgive me (polite) Pronunciation: "yong-suh-hae joo-seh-yo"

This is more serious than just saying sorry. You're asking the person to actively forgive you for what you did.

용서해 줄래? (yongseohae jullae) - Will you forgive me? (casual) Use this with friends when you've messed up and want to make things right.

Example:

제발 (jebal) means "please" and adds urgency to your request.

Sorry in Korean slang and casual expressions

Korean has some slang variations you might hear, especially among younger people or in K-dramas.

쏘리 (ssori) - This is literally just "sorry" borrowed from English and written in Korean characters. Young people use this casually with friends, kind of like how English speakers might say "my bad."

ㅈㅅ - This is text slang for 죄송 (joesong). It's just the first consonants of each syllable. Super casual and only for texting.

미안 미안 (mian mian) - Repeating 미안 twice makes it sound more casual and friendly, like "sorry sorry!"

How BTS says sorry in Korean

K-pop fans often wonder how their favorite idols apologize. BTS members typically use 미안해요 (mianhaeyo) or 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida) depending on the context.

In casual behind-the-scenes content or when talking among themselves, you'll hear them use 미안해 (mianhae) with each other since they're close friends.

When addressing fans formally or in official statements, they use 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida) to show respect to their audience.

In their song lyrics, you might hear various forms depending on the emotional tone and who they're addressing in the song.

Cultural context for Korean apologies

Korean apology culture differs from Western cultures in some important ways. Koreans tend to apologize more frequently, even for things that might not require an apology in other cultures.

For example, if you're asking someone a question, you might start with 죄송한데요 (joesonghande yo), which literally means "I'm sorry, but..." This isn't because you've done anything wrong. It's just a polite way to get someone's attention or make a request.

Koreans also apologize when receiving compliments or gifts as a way of being humble. Someone might say 미안해요 when you give them a present, not because they don't want it, but because they feel bad that you went to the trouble.

The formality system in Korean means you really need to pay attention to who you're talking to. Using casual language with someone who expects formal speech can be genuinely offensive, while being too formal with close friends can create distance.

Putting it all together

Learning when and how to say sorry in Korean takes practice. Start with these core expressions and pay attention to how native speakers use them in different contexts.

For most situations, 미안해요 (mianhaeyo) and 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida) will cover your needs. As you get more comfortable with Korean, you'll develop a natural sense for which formality level fits each situation.

The key is to match your apology to the relationship and setting. When you're unsure, going more formal is always safer in Korean culture. You can always adjust to be more casual once you know someone better.

Anyway, if you're learning Korean and want to practice these expressions in real contexts, Migaku's browser extension lets you look up Korean words and phrases instantly while watching K-dramas or reading Korean content. Makes learning from actual Korean conversations way more practical. There's a 10-day free trial if you want to check it out.