Ways to say it
| Bengali | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| দুঃখিত | dukkhito |
| মাফ করবেন | maph korben |
| সরি | śori |
The word দুঃখিত is used to express a feeling of regret or sorrow, much like the English 'I am sorry'. When you are apologizing for a specific action, this word is often followed by the particle 'জন্য' (for) or 'বিষয়ে' (regarding).
What does it mean word for word?
The word দুঃখিত is an adjective that literally means 'sorrowful' or 'sad'.
Which one should you use?
While দুঃখিত is used to express a feeling of regret, মাফ করবেন is used more as a request for forgiveness or to get someone's attention, similar to 'Excuse me'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
দুঃখিত is a formal way to express regret. In casual, urban settings among younger speakers, the transliterated English word সরি is commonly used. মাফ করবেন is a polite way to ask for forgiveness or attention.
How does it change in a sentence?
The polite form মাফ করবেন uses the honorific verb ending –বেন, making it appropriate for speaking to elders or strangers. For close friends or younger people, you can use the informal version মাফ কর.
How do you pronounce it?
dukkhito
Did you know?
- The word মাফ in মাফ করবেন has its roots in Arabic, tracing back to the word عَافَى which relates to health or being free from illness.
- In many Bengali cultures, a heartfelt apology is often accompanied by a slight bow of the head or the folding of hands, rather than a handshake.
- In some contexts, the expression of regret দুঃখিত can be used to express condolences at a funeral, shifting from 'I am sorry for my mistake' to 'I am sorry for your loss'.
Examples in context
- চিৎকার করার জন্য দুঃখিত।Sorry for shouting.This sentence is useful for apologizing for the act of shouting using দুঃখিত.Tatoeba #11459010 by robingaspi, translation #6442687 by OsoHombre
- গত রাতের ঘটনায় আমি দুঃখিত।I'm sorry about last night.This sentence is useful for expressing regret about a specific event using দুঃখিত.Tatoeba #12525046 by robingaspi, translation #1671759 by Spamster
- আমি দেরি করে বাড়ি আসায় দুঃখিত।I'm very sorry that I came home so late.This sentence is useful for expressing regret for arriving home late using দুঃখিত.Tatoeba #11472346 by robingaspi, translation #7186135 by CK
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Anirban apologizes to Moumita for accidentally breaking her favorite cup.
- মৌমিতা Moumitaআমার প্রিয় কাপটি ভেঙে গেছে!amar priyo kapti bhenge geche!My favorite cup is broken!
- অনির্বাণ Anirbanআমি সত্যি খুব দুঃখিত, মৌমিতা।ami shotti khub dukkhito, moumita.I am truly very sorry, Moumita.
- মৌমিতা Moumitaঠিক আছে, এটা অনিচ্ছাকৃত ছিল।thik ache, eta onichchakrito chhilo.It's okay, it was unintentional.
- অনির্বাণ Anirbanআমি নতুন একটি কিনে দেব।ami notun ekti kine debo.I will buy a new one.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sorry” translations and entries দুঃখিত, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries মাফ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
