encore désolé
To say sorry again in French, use encore désolé.
encore here means again, though in other contexts it can mean still or more.
Which one should you use?
In formal settings, Veuillez m'excuser encore une fois or Je tiens à présenter mes excuses à nouveau sound more polite. With friends, Excuse-moi encore une fois works too.
How does it change in a sentence?
désolé agrees with the speaker. A woman says encore désolée, a group of men or a mixed group says encore désolés and a group of women says encore désolées.
Did you know?
- The word désolé is much more intense than the English 'sorry', as its roots imply being 'devastated' or 'broken'.
- The way French speakers use encore to mean 'more' (as in 'more wine') is not an original Latin development, but a semantic loan from the German word noch.
- Using encore in an apology can be risky, as it might suggest you are 'still' sorry rather than apologizing 'again' for a new mistake.
Examples in context
- Désolé(e) encore une fois. J'ai fait tomber ton verre accidentellement.Sorry once again. I accidentally dropped your glass.
- Je suis encore désolé pour le retard.I am sorry again for the delay.
- Encore désolé d'avoir oublié ton anniversaire.Sorry again for forgetting your birthday.
- Je suis encore désolé de vous déranger.I am sorry again for bothering you.
Example conversation
Hugo has arrived late to a meeting with Emma.
- HugoJe suis encore désolé pour mon retard, Emma.I am sorry again for my lateness, Emma.
- EmmaCe n'est rien, Hugo, ne t'inquiète pas.It is nothing, Hugo, don't worry.
- HugoEncore désolé, la circulation était terrible.Sorry again, the traffic was terrible.
- EmmaJe comprends, passons maintenant au travail.I understand, let's get to work now.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries encore, CC BY-SA 4.0.
