失禮
sit-lé
The Hokkien word for "sorry" is 失禮 (sit-lé).
失禮 is used as a polite apology when one has committed a social faux pas or an unintentional rudeness.
Meaning: expression of regret or sorrow (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means "to lose etiquette" or "to be impolite".
Which one should you use?
While 失禮 focuses on a breach of etiquette, the phrase 對不起 (tùi-put-khí) is used for more serious apologies or expressing deeper regret.
How do you pronounce it?
sit-lé
Did you know?
- The concept of 'losing etiquette' in 失禮 mirrors a similar logic in Japanese with 失礼します (shitsurei shimasu), reflecting a shared East Asian cultural emphasis on propriety.
- The character 禮 in 失禮 is the same character used to describe the formal rites and ceremonies of ancient Confucianism.
- Using 失禮 acts as a linguistic 'buffer' that softens the impact of a request that might otherwise seem too demanding or intrusive.
Examples in context
- 失禮……Sorry…This example shows how to use 失禮 to express an apology.Tatoeba #13253639 by tsunhua, translation #39996 by pierrephi
Example conversation
曉雯 accidentally bumped into 志明 in a crowded street.
- 曉雯 Hiau-bun對無，失禮了。tui-bô, sit-lī–lo.I'm sorry, excuse me.
- 志明 Chi-ming無事，無事。bô-sū, bô-sū.It's okay, it's okay.
- 曉雯 Hiau-bun真失禮。chin sit-lī.I am so sorry.
- 志明 Chi-ming毋緊啦。m̄-kín–lah.Don't worry about it.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
