미안
miancasual
Casual Korean for "sorry" is 미안 (mian), short for 미안해 (mianhae). Slang includes 쏘리 (ssori), from English, and the texting shorthand ㅈㅅ (jeosong), from 죄송 (joesong).
Meaning: sorry, casual (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 미안 | mian | casual |
| 쏘리 | ssori | slang, borrowed from English |
| 죄송 | joesong | short, texting |
미안 is for friends and people younger than you. ㅈㅅ is typed in chats and is a little joking.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For elders and in serious cases, use 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida) or 미안합니다 (mianhamnida).
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use 미안 or 쏘리 to a boss or teacher. It sounds careless.
Did you know?
- ㅈㅅ is typed with the first consonants of 죄송, the polite word for sorry.
Examples in context
- 미안, 늦었어.mian, neujeosseo.Sorry, I am late.
- 쏘리, 못 봤어.ssori, mot bwasseo.Sorry, I did not see it.
Example conversation
Dongha is late to meet his friend Yerin.
- Dongha미안, 차가 막혔어.mian, chaga makhyeosseo.Sorry, there was traffic.
- Yerin괜찮아, 나도 방금 왔어.gwaenchanha, nado banggeum wasseo.It is fine, I just got here too.
- Dongha고마워. 커피는 내가 살게.gomawo. keopineun naega salge.Thanks. Coffee is on me.
