Which one should you use?
While 죄송합니다 is highly formal and respectful, 미안합니다 is a standard polite form that is slightly less formal. In contrast, 미안해 is the casual version used with close friends or people younger than you, whereas 죄송합니다 should never be used in a casual way with friends.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
죄송합니다 is a formal and polite way to apologize, making it suitable for use with superiors, elders or strangers. 미안해요 is an informal expression used when apologizing to someone you have a closer relationship with or a stranger of a similar age. 미안해 is an informal expression used among friends to say I'm sorry.
Is it said differently in some regions?
사과드립니다 is an alternative formal apology used in Seoul and Busan.
How do you pronounce it?
joesonghamnida
When do people say it?
In Korean culture, the level of apology, the choice between 죄송합니다 and 미안해, is strictly determined by the social hierarchy and the relationship between the speaker and the listener.
Did you know?
- The phrase 사과드립니다 uses the word 사과, which is also the Korean word for 'apple'.
- The word 죄송 in 죄송합니다 literally translates to 'guilty or sin' combined with 'regret'.
- When apologizing in a professional setting, Koreans often avoid direct eye contact while saying 죄송합니다 to show humility and respect.
Examples in context
- 당신을 너무 오래 기다리게 해서 죄송합니다.I am sorry to have kept you waiting so long.This sentence is useful for apologizing for keeping someone waiting long using 죄송합니다.Tatoeba #385112 by sympahyun, translation #54635 by CK
- 죄송합니다I am sorry.This sentence is useful for a simple apology using 죄송합니다.Tatoeba #10378764 by SMJ789, translation #3120141 by harshnisar
- 죄송합니다, 제가 늦게 끝냈어요.I am sorry, I finished late.
- 죄송해요! 미안해요!Sorry! I apologize!
- 늦어서 정말 죄송합니다.neujeoseo jeongmal joesonghamnida.I am truly sorry for being late.
Example conversation
Minjun apologizes to Seoyeon for forgetting her book at home.
- 민준 Min-jun서연 씨, 책을 집에 두고 와서 정말 죄송합니다.Seoyeon-ssi, chaek-eul jibe dugo waseo jeongmal joesonghamnida.Seoyeon, I am truly sorry for leaving your book at home.
- 서연 Seo-yeon괜찮아요, 민준 씨. 다음에 가져다주세요.Gwaenchanayo, Minjun-ssi. da-eume gajyeodajuseyo.It is okay, Minjun. Please bring it next time.
- 민준 Min-jun다시는 이런 실수 안 하도록 하겠습니다. 죄송합니다.dasineun ireon silsu an hadorok hagesseumnida. joesonghamnida.I will try not to make this mistake again. I am sorry.
- 서연 Seo-yeon정말 괜찮으니까 너무 신경 쓰지 마세요.jeongmal gwaenchanheunikka neomu singyeong sseuji maseyo.It really is fine, so please do not worry about it too much.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
