thov txim
The Hmong phrase for sorry is thov txim.
thov txim is used to express regret or sorrow. It can be used to apologize for a mistake or as a polite way to interrupt someone or excuse yourself.
Meaning: expression of regret or sorrow (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of thov, meaning to ask or request and txim, meaning forgiveness or fault.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you want to specifically say 'forgive me', you can add rau kuv (for me) to the end of the phrase to form thov txim rau kuv.
Did you know?
- The word thov is also used when making offerings to ancestors, meaning the act of 'asking' in thov txim shares a linguistic root with spiritual petitioning.
- While 'thov txim' is the standard way to apologize, the word txim also refers to a legal sentence or punishment in a court setting.
- In some contexts, avoiding a direct thov txim and instead using a gesture of sharing food or a gift can be a culturally understood way of apologizing without words.
Examples in context
- Thov txim, kuv tsis tau pom koj.Sorry, I didn't see you.
Example conversation
Cheng accidentally steps on Mai's foot.
- ChengThov txim, Mai!Sorry, Mai!
- MaiTsis ua li cas, Cheng.It's okay, Cheng.
- ChengKuv tsis tau saib.I wasn't looking.
- MaiTsis ua li cas, tsis txhob txhawj.No problem, don't worry.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sorry” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
