정말 죄송합니다
jeongmal joesonghamnida
In Korean, "I am so sorry" is expressed as 정말 죄송합니다 (jeongmal joesonghamnida).
정말 죄송합니다 is a formal expression used to apologize deeply for a mistake or a wrongdoing.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 정말 (really/truly) and 죄송합니다 (to be sorry/apologetic).
Which one should you use?
While 미안합니다 or 미안해요 can also be used to say "I am sorry", 정말 죄송합니다 is more formal and carries a deeper sense of apology.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
정말 죄송합니다 is used in formal settings, such as when apologizing to a superior, a customer or an elder. For comparison, 미안합니다 is the standard formal way to apologize, 미안해요 is a polite and slightly formal way to say "sorry" and 미안해 is a common way to say 'I am sorry' casually in Korean.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb 죄송합니다 is in the formal polite style (하십시오체), indicated by the -ㅂ니다 ending.
How do you pronounce it?
jeongmal joesonghamnida
Did you know?
- The word 죄송 in the phrase contains the character 죄 (joe), which means 'crime' or 'sin'. By saying this, you are figuratively suggesting that your mistake was a transgression or a wayward act.
- In professional settings, someone might say 정말 죄송합니다 while avoiding direct eye contact to show humility and respect to the person they offended.
- The word 정말 literally translates to 'correct word' or 'true word', because it is composed of the Hanja 정 meaning 'correct' and 말 meaning 'speech'.
Examples in context
- Joesonghamnida, jalmotaesseumnida. (죄송합니다, 잘못했습니다.)I'm sorry, I made a mistake.
- 정말 죄송합니다. 제가 실수했습니다.jeongmal joesonghamnida. jega silsuhaesseumnida.I am so sorry. I made a mistake.
- 늦어서 정말 죄송합니다.neujeoseo jeongmal joesonghamnida.I am so sorry for being late.
- 기다리게 해서 정말 죄송합니다.gidarige haeseo jeongmal joesonghamnida.I am so sorry for making you wait.
Example conversation
Minjun apologizes to Minji for breaking her vase.
- 민준 Min-jun민지 씨, 화분을 깨서 정말 죄송합니다.Minji ssi, hwabun-eul kkaeseo jeongmal joesonghamnida.Minji, I am so sorry for breaking the flowerpot.
- 민지 Min-ji괜찮아요. 일부러 그런 게 아니잖아요.gwaenchanayo. ilbureo geureon ge anijanhayo.It's okay. You didn't do it on purpose.
- 민준 Min-jun새것으로 꼭 다시 사 드릴게요.saegoseuro kkok dasi sa deurilgeyo.I will definitely buy you a new one.
- 민지 Min-ji아니에요, 정말 괜찮습니다.anieyo, jeongmal gwaenchansumnida.No, it is really okay.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 정말, CC BY-SA 4.0.
