Apologies (사과)

Apologies (사과) in Korean vary greatly in formality and sincerity. Choosing the right apology expression shows cultural awareness and respect.

Basic Apologies

죄송합니다 - I'm sorry (Formal)

Most formal apology:

• 죄송합니다: I'm very sorry (formal)
• 죄송해요: I'm sorry (polite)
• Literal: "I have committed a crime/offense"

Use when:

• Formal situations
• To elders, superiors, strangers
• Serious mistakes
• Professional settings

Formality levels:

• 죄송합니다 (formal)
• 죄송해요 (polite)
• 죄송 (casual, but rare)

미안합니다 - I'm sorry (Polite)

Standard polite apology:

• 미안합니다: I'm sorry (polite formal)
• 미안해요: I'm sorry (polite)
• 미안해: Sorry (casual)
• 미안: Sorry (very casual)

Use when:

• Friends and acquaintances
• Minor mistakes
• Less formal than 죄송합니다
• Everyday situations

Formality levels:

• 미안합니다 (polite formal)
• 미안해요 (polite)
• 미안해 (casual)
• 미안 (very casual)

Difference: 죄송 vs. 미안

죄송합니다:

• More formal and serious
• Shows deeper regret
• Used in professional contexts
• To strangers and superiors

미안해요:

• Less formal
• For minor issues
• To friends and equals
• Warmer, less distant

Intensifying Apologies

Adding 정말/진짜 - Really

Making apology stronger:

• 정말 죄송합니다 (I'm really sorry - formal)
• 정말 미안해요 (I'm really sorry - polite)
• 진짜 미안해 (I'm really sorry - casual)

너무 - So/Very

Expressing deep regret:

• 너무 죄송합니다 (I'm so sorry - formal)
• 너무 미안해요 (I'm so sorry - polite)

Multiple Intensifiers

Very sincere apology:

• 정말 정말 죄송합니다 (I'm truly very sorry)
• 너무너무 미안해요 (I'm so so sorry)

Specific Apology Situations

Apologizing for Being Late

늦어서 죄송합니다:

• Sorry for being late (formal)

늦어서 미안해요:

• Sorry for being late (polite)

늦어서 미안해:

• Sorry for being late (casual)

늦어서 죄송해요:

• Sorry for being late (polite formal)

Apologizing for a Mistake

실수해서 죄송합니다:

• Sorry for the mistake (formal)

잘못했어요:

• I did wrong / I made a mistake

제 잘못입니다:

• It's my fault (formal)

제 잘못이에요:

• It's my fault (polite)

Apologizing for Inconvenience

불편을 끼쳐 드려서 죄송합니다:

• Sorry for the inconvenience (very formal)

폐를 끼쳐서 죄송합니다:

• Sorry for causing trouble (formal)

신경 쓰게 해서 미안해요:

• Sorry for making you worry (polite)

Excuse Me / Pardon Me

실례합니다 - Excuse me

Polite interruption:

• 실례합니다: Excuse me (formal)
• 실례해요: Excuse me (polite)

Use when:

• Getting someone's attention
• Interrupting a conversation
• Passing through a crowd
• Entering a room

저기요 - Excuse me

Casual attention-getting:

• 저기요: Excuse me / Over here
• Used to get attention in public
• Calling a server
• Less formal than 실례합니다

잠깐만요 - Wait a moment

Stopping someone:

• 잠깐만요: Wait a moment / Just a second
• 잠시만요: One moment please (slightly formal)

Responding to Apologies

Accepting Apologies

괜찮아요:

• It's okay (polite)

괜찮습니다:

• It's okay (formal)

괜찮아:

• It's okay (casual)

신경 쓰지 마세요:

• Don't worry about it (polite)

신경 쓰지 마:

• Don't worry about it (casual)

별일 아니에요:

• It's nothing / No big deal (polite)

아니에요:

• No, it's fine (polite)

아니야:

• No, it's fine (casual)

됐어요:

• It's okay / Forget it (polite)

Acknowledging Serious Apologies

알겠습니다:

• I understand (formal)

이해했어요:

• I understand (polite)

다음부터 조심하세요:

• Be careful next time (polite)

다시는 그러지 마세요:

• Don't do it again (polite)

Formal Written Apologies

Business Apologies

심려를 끼쳐 드려 죄송합니다:

• We apologize for causing you concern (very formal)

깊이 사과드립니다:

• We deeply apologize (formal)

진심으로 사과드립니다:

• We sincerely apologize (formal)

용서를 구합니다:

• We ask for forgiveness (very formal)

Public Apologies

국민 여러분께 사과드립니다:

• We apologize to the people (official)

큰 실망을 드려 죄송합니다:

• Sorry for the great disappointment (formal)

Polite Refusals with Apology

Declining Politely

죄송하지만, 안 될 것 같아요:

• Sorry, but I don't think it will work

미안하지만, 못 가요:

• Sorry, but I can't go

죄송합니다만, 도와드릴 수 없습니다:

• I'm sorry, but I cannot help (formal)

Cultural Apology Expressions

아이고 - Oh my

Expressing dismay:

• 아이고: Oh no / Oh dear
• Often used before apologizing
• Shows concern and regret

아이고, 죄송해요:

• Oh my, I'm so sorry

Bowing While Apologizing

Physical gesture importance:

• Deep bow shows sincerity
• 90-degree bow for serious apologies
• Multiple bows for very serious situations

큰절 - Full Bow

Most serious apology:

• Full prostration bow
• Reserved for grave offenses
• Traditional apology to elders/parents

Apologizing for Others

On Behalf Of

대신 사과드립니다:

• I apologize on their behalf (formal)

제가 대신 미안하다고 전할게요:

• I'll apologize for them (polite)

For a Group

저희가 잘못했습니다:

• We were wrong (formal, humble)

다같이 사과드립니다:

• We all apologize (formal)

Minor Social Apologies

Bumping Into Someone

죄송해요:

• Sorry (polite)

미안해요:

• Sorry (polite casual)

Asking for Something

죄송한데요, 물 좀 주실 수 있어요?:

• Sorry to bother you, but could you give me some water?

미안한데, 이거 좀 도와줄래?:

• Sorry, but can you help me with this? (casual)

Email/Text Apologies

Starting Apology Message

죄송합니다만, ...:

• I'm sorry, but... (formal)

미안하지만, ...:

• Sorry, but... (casual)

Apologizing in Text

진심으로 사과드립니다:

• I sincerely apologize (formal)

정말 미안해ㅠㅠ:

• Really sorry (casual with crying emoji)

ㅈㅅ:

• Sorry (very casual abbreviation of 죄송)

ㅁㅇ:

• Sorry (very casual abbreviation of 미안)

Common Apologetic Phrases

I Didn't Know

몰랐어요:

• I didn't know (polite)

알았으면 그러지 않았을 텐데요:

• If I had known, I wouldn't have done it

It Won't Happen Again

다시는 안 그럴게요:

• I won't do it again (polite)

앞으로 조심할게요:

• I'll be careful from now on (polite)

같은 실수 안 할게요:

• I won't make the same mistake (polite)

Asking for Forgiveness

용서해 주세요:

• Please forgive me (polite)

용서해 줄래요?:

• Will you forgive me? (polite)

용서해 줄 수 있어요?:

• Can you forgive me? (polite)

Degrees of Formality

Very Formal

• 죄송합니다
• 사과드립니다
• 용서를 구합니다
• 심려를 끼쳐 드렸습니다

Polite

• 죄송해요
• 미안합니다
• 실례합니다

Casual

• 미안해요
• 미안해
• 미안
• 잘못했어

Very Casual

• 미안
• ㅈㅅ
• ㅁㅇ

Common Mistakes

❌ Incorrect: 미안해요 to boss for serious mistake

Too casual for the situation

✅ Correct: 죄송합니다

Appropriate formality and seriousness

---

❌ Incorrect: 죄송합니다 to close friend for minor thing

Too formal, creates distance

✅ Correct: 미안해

Natural for friends

Cultural Notes

Over-Apologizing

Korean culture:

• Frequent apologies are common
• Shows humility and consideration
• Not always admission of fault
• Social lubricant

Silence After Apology

Important to note:

• Don't over-explain immediately
• Let the other person respond
• Shows you're listening
• Demonstrates sincerity

Compensation Culture

Following apologies:

• Often offer to make amends
• Buy meal or coffee
• Fix the problem
• Actions speak louder than words

Summary Table

Expression	Formality	Situation	Literal Meaning
죄송합니다	Very High	Formal, serious	I've committed offense
죄송해요	High	Polite, standard	I've committed offense
미안합니다	Medium	Polite formal	I'm sorry
미안해요	Medium-Low	Friendly, polite	I'm sorry
미안해	Low	Casual friends	Sorry
실례합니다	High	Excuse me (formal)	I'm being rude
저기요	Medium	Getting attention	Over there/here
용서해 주세요	High	Asking forgiveness	Please forgive me
잘못했어요	Medium	Admitting fault	I did wrong