미안해요
mianhaeyo
In Korean, "I'm sorry" can be expressed through several forms. The default form is 미안해요 (mianhaeyo). Wiktionary also lists 미안합니다 (mianhamnida) and 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida).
Meaning: I'm sorry, I apologize (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 미안해요 | mianhaeyo | |
| 미안합니다 | mianhamnida | |
| 죄송합니다 | joesonghamnida | |
| 미안해 | mianhae | informal |
These phrases are used to express regret or to apologize for a mistake.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Use 죄송합니다 in professional settings, such as when speaking to a boss, a customer or an elder. 미안합니다 is a formal expression used in serious situations or to convey deeper regret. 미안해요 is a polite but less formal way to apologize, suitable for people of equal or slightly higher status. Finally, 미안해 is the casual, informal form used only with close friends, siblings or people younger than you.
How do you pronounce it?
mianhaeyo
Did you know?
- The word 죄송 in 죄송합니다 comes from characters meaning 'sin' and 'to be absent'. Literally, it implies a feeling of being unable to face the other person because of one's faults.
- While English speakers use 'I'm sorry' to express sympathy, such as 'I am sorry for your loss', Koreans rarely use these specific apology forms for sympathy. Instead, they use different phrases entirely to express condolences.
- If you are apologizing to a group of people of different ages, you cannot simply pick one form. You must use the form that matches the person with the highest status in that group.
Examples in context
- 자꾸 귀찮게 해서 미안해.I'm sorry to bother you so often.This sentence is useful for apologizing for being bothersome using 미안해.Tatoeba #8361932 by Eunhee, translation #1439702 by CK
- 너 빼고 가버려서 미안해.I'm sorry I left without you.This sentence is useful for apologizing for leaving someone behind using 미안해.Tatoeba #8361957 by Eunhee, translation #6352163 by CK
- 내가 입을 열어서 미안해.I'm sorry I opened my mouth.This sentence is useful for apologizing for speaking using 미안해.Tatoeba #8361967 by Eunhee, translation #5244072 by CK
- 죄송합니다, 제가 늦었습니다.I'm sorry, I'm late.
- 미안합니다, 실수를 했습니다.I'm sorry, I made a mistake.
- 사과드립니다, 일어난 일은 저의 잘못입니다.I apologize, this is my fault.
- 미안해요, 제가 미처 생각하지 못했어요.I'm sorry, I didn't think about that.
- 25 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jihoon arrives late to meet Subin at a cafe.
- 지훈 Ji-hun많이 기다렸죠? 늦어서 미안해요.mani gidaryeotjyo? neujeoseo mianhaeyo.You waited a long time, right? I'm sorry I'm late.
- 수빈 Su-bin아니에요, 저도 방금 왔어요.anieyo, jeodo banggeum wasseoyo.No, it's okay, I just arrived too.
- 지훈 Ji-hun정말 미안해요, 수빈 씨.jeongmal mianhaeyo, Subin-ssi.I'm really sorry, Subin.
- 수빈 Su-bin괜찮으니까 얼른 앉으세요.gwaenchaneunikka eolleun anjeuseyo.It's okay, so please sit down.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “I'm sorry” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
