How to Say “I Am Sorry” in Old English

By Erik Harrison • Updated October 2, 2026

me is sarig

The phrase me is sarig is how to say "I am sorry" in Old English.

How does it change in a sentence?

The adjective sarig carries the meaning of being sorrowful or sorry and serves as the root of the modern English word "sorry".

Did you know?

The modern English word 'sore' (as in a physical wound) is a distant linguistic relative of the Old English sarig.
In the phrase me is sarig, the word me functions as a dative object, making the literal structure closer to 'to me is sorrowful' than 'I am sorry'.
If you were to use this phrase in a poem, you would be expressing a deep, heavy sadness rather than a simple social apology.

Example conversation

Eadric accidentally broke a clay pot belonging to Mildryth.

Eadric

Mildryth, me is sarig.
Mildryth, I am sorry.
Mildryth

Hwæt dydest þū?
What did you do?
Eadric

Ic tōbræc þīnne crocc.
I broke your pot.
Mildryth

Nū hē is tōbrocen.
Now it is broken.

Sources

Word origins: Wiktionary entries is, me, sarig, CC BY-SA 4.0.

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About The Author

Erik Harrison

'Eow greetan geþyldiga Mannas,' I'm Erik, an ardent admirer of Old English. Within me, ondowersæcnesse sprouts from a fascination with history and a passion for linguistic quirks. I find solace in uncovering the tapestry of words 'from yesteryears and yonder.' You'll often find me jotting down phrases in this ancient tongue or indulging my love for historical fiction. My posts are hearty tributes to our language's forgotten strands - an endeavored celebration of the past met with the present. 'Þæs ofereode,' come and join me on a journey through the words that once were.

Erik HarrisonHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.

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