Désolé
neutral
The usual way to say "sorry" in Quebec French is Désolé, or Désolée if you are a woman. Excusez-moi is polite for getting attention or apologizing, and Je m'excuse is a very common spoken apology.
Meaning: apologizing or excusing yourself (phrase)
Ways to say it
| French | Note |
|---|---|
| Désolé | neutral |
| Excusez-moi | polite |
| Je m'excuse | everyday |
Désolé says you regret something. Excusez-moi is also how you ask someone to move or how you start a question. Pardon works as well when you bump into someone.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
With friends, Excuse-moi uses the informal form and is just as common.
How does it change in a sentence?
Désolé agrees with the speaker, so a woman writes désolée.
Did you know?
- Je m'excuse literally means "I excuse myself", and it is the form many Quebecers use to apologize.
Examples in context
- Désolé, je suis en retard.Sorry, I am late.
- Excusez-moi, où est la sortie?Excuse me, where is the exit?
- Je m'excuse, j'ai pas fait exprès.I am sorry, I did not do it on purpose.
Example conversation
Louise bumps into Thomas in a busy metro station in Montreal.
- LouiseOh, excusez-moi!Oh, excuse me!
- ThomasPas de problème.No problem.
- LouiseDésolée, je suis pressée.Sorry, I am in a hurry.
