정말 미안해
jeongmal mianhae
The English phrase "i am really sorry" can be translated into Korean as 정말 미안해 (jeongmal mianhae).
정말 미안해 is an informal expression used to apologize sincerely to someone.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 정말 means 'really' or 'truly'.
Which one should you use?
While 정말 미안해 is used for a sincere, informal apology, you may encounter other forms depending on the required level of respect. For example, 정말 죄송합니다 is a much more formal and respectful way to apologize to superiors or in professional settings and 정말로 사과드립니다 is used to mean 'I sincerely apologize' in a formal context.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
정말 미안해 is an informal expression used with friends or people younger than you. To make the apology polite, you can add the particle 요 to the end to say 정말 미안해요. For highly formal situations, use 정말 죄송합니다 or 죄송합니다.
How do you pronounce it?
jeongmal mianhae
Did you know?
- While 미안해 comes from characters meaning 'not comfortable', the formal 죄송합니다 is rooted in the idea of 'causing a crime' or 'creating a sin'.
- In Korea, a sincere apology is often accompanied by a slight bow. The deeper the bow and the longer the head stays down, the more sincerity the speaker is conveying.
- The word 말 in 정말 is a homonym that also means 'horse' in Korean, though the two words are distinguished by context and tone.
Examples in context
- 정말 미안해.I am really sorry.This sentence is useful for expressing that you are really sorry using 정말 미안해.Tatoeba #4708225 by rainbow4us, translation #436425 by lukaszpp
- 정말 미안해, 내가 늦었어.jeongmal mianhae, naega neujeosseo.I am really sorry, I am late.
- 아까 한 말은 정말 미안해.akka han mareun jeongmal mianhae.I am really sorry about what I said earlier.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo accidentally broke Minji's favorite mug.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo민지야, 정말 미안해. 내가 깨뜨렸어.Minji-ya, jeongmal mianhae. Naega kkaetteuryeosseo.Minji, I am really sorry. I broke it.
- 민지 Min-ji정말? 그거 내가 제일 아끼는 거야.Jeongmal? Geugeo naega jeil akkineun geoya.Really? That was my favorite one.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo새로 사줄게, 정말 미안해.Saero sajulge, jeongmal mianhae.I'll buy you a new one, I am really sorry.
- 민지 Min-ji됐어, 다음부터 조심해.Dwaesseo, daeum-buteo josimhae.Forget it, just be careful next time.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
