미안합니다
mianhamnidapolite, everyday
To say sorry in North Korea, use 미안합니다 (mianhamnida) for an everyday apology and 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida) when you are more formal or have done something serious. With friends say 미안해 (mianhae).
Meaning: apology (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 미안합니다 | mianhamnida | polite, everyday |
| 죄송합니다 | joesonghamnida | formal, serious |
| 미안해 | mianhae | casual, friends |
미안합니다 fits bumping into someone or being late. 죄송합니다 is a deeper apology and is used toward elders and in official situations.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
To a close friend or someone younger you can drop to 미안해 (mianhae). Using it with an elder would sound disrespectful.
Is it said differently in some regions?
These apology words are the same in the South, so there is no separate northern form to learn. What differs between the two Koreas is mainly the style of formal speech and some vocabulary.
Did you know?
- The word 미안 (mian) comes from Chinese characters meaning "not at ease", which is why the phrase is built on 미안하다 (mianhada).
Examples in context
- 정말 죄송합니다.jeongmal joesonghamnida.I am truly sorry.
- 어제 일은 미안해.eoje ireun mianhae.Sorry about yesterday.
Example conversation
Yong-ho arrives late to meet his colleague Mi-ran at the office.
- Yong-ho늦어서 미안합니다.neujeoseo mianhamnida.Sorry for being late.
- Mi-ran괜찮습니다. 어서 앉으십시오.gwaenchanseumnida. eoseo anjeusipsio.It is all right. Please sit down.
- Yong-ho고맙습니다.gomapseumnida.Thank you.
