Ways to say it
| Dutch | IPA |
|---|---|
| sorry | /ˈsɔ.ri/ |
| het spijt me | /(ɦ)ət ˈspɛi̯t mə/ |
| pardon | /pɑrˈdɔn/ |
Dutch speakers use different expressions depending on the level of regret and the context. het spijt me is the standard way to express sincere regret for an action or a situation. The loanword sorry is used frequently in everyday speech and can be intensified: adding echt before sorry (echt sorry) conveys a deeper sense of regret, while ontzettend sorry intensifies the apology even further. Heel erg sorry is also used to mean 'very sorry'. For more formal situations, you might use Excuseer me to say 'Excuse me' or 'I'm sorry' or Mijn excuses to formally acknowledge a fault and express regret.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase het spijt me literally translates to 'it repents me'.
Which one should you use?
While sorry is used in Dutch, it is often perceived as more informal or casual than het spijt me. Pardon is used specifically to get someone's attention or to apologize for a minor physical bump, rather than to express deep regret.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of sorry is /ˈsɔ.ri/. The first of the two syllables is stressed.
Did you know?
- The word spijt in the phrase het spijt me shares an unexpected ancestor with the English word 'despite'.
- The phrase het spijt me is used not only for apologies but also to express condolences or sorrow about a situation you did not cause.
Examples in context
- Het spijt me zo.I'm so sorry.This sentence shows how to express being very sorry using het spijt me.Tatoeba #7985213 by Elsofie, translation #953853 by CK
- Oh, het spijt me.Oh, I'm sorry.Tatoeba #7427811 by Micsmithel, translation #1579 by CM
- Het spijt me zeer.I'm very sorry.Tatoeba #415083 by Dorenda, translation #275979 by CK
- Excuseer me, ik heb een fout gemaakt.Excuse me, I made a mistake.
- Sorry dat ik te laat ben.Sorry I'm late.
- Echt sorry dat ik je verjaardagsfeestje gemist heb.I'm really sorry I missed your birthday party.
- 310 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lisa accidentally bumped into Levi in a hallway.
- LisaOh, sorry!Oh, sorry!
- LeviHet geeft niet, Lisa.It's okay, Lisa.
- LisaBen je wel oké?Are you okay?
- LeviJa, geen probleem.Yes, no problem.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sorry” translations and entries sorry, het spijt me, pardon, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries het, pardon, sorry, spijt, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
