mae'n ddrwg gen i
/maːɨ̯n ˈðruːɡ ˌɡɛnɪ/
In Welsh, the phrase for sorry is mae'n ddrwg gen i. Wiktionary also lists sori.
Meaning: expression of regret or sorrow (intj)
Ways to say it
| Welsh | IPA |
|---|---|
| mae'n ddrwg gen i | /maːɨ̯n ˈðruːɡ ˌɡɛnɪ/ (North Wales) /mai̯n ˈðruːɡ ˌɡɛni/ (South Wales) |
| sori |
The phrase mae'n ddrwg gen i is used as an expression of regret or sorrow. If you wish to describe someone as being a repentant or apologetic person, you can use the adjective blin.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase mae'n ddrwg gen i literally translates to 'it is bad with me'.
Which one should you use?
mae'n ddrwg gen i is used to express a sincere apology or regret. In contrast, sori is a more casual way to say sorry.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
sori is an informal, colloquial version of 'sorry' borrowed from English.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To change the phrase from 'I am sorry' to 'they are sorry', change the pronoun to nhw to get mae'n ddrwg gen nhw.
How do you pronounce it?
/maːɨ̯n ˈðruːɡ ˌɡɛnɪ/
Did you know?
- The construction of mae'n ddrwg gen i uses a prepositional phrase that suggests the 'badness' is something the speaker possesses, rather than a state they are in.
- The word blin, used to describe a repentant person, can also mean 'sorry' in the sense of feeling pity or compassion for someone else's misfortune.
- While mae'n ddrwg gen i is for apologies, Welsh speakers often use ymdihero when they want to formally ask for forgiveness in a more active sense of 'to apologize'.
Examples in context
- Sori!Sorry!This example shows the use of sori as an exclamation.Tatoeba #9255196 by colaceirios, translation #1105399 by dag0310
- Sori.Sorry.This example shows the use of sori as a standard statement.Tatoeba #9255283 by colaceirios, translation #3378159 by Jesse
- Mae'n ddrwg gen i am y gwall.I am sorry about the mistake.
Example conversation
Gareth accidentally steps on Catrin's foot.
- GarethO llong! Mae'n ddrwg gen i, Catrin.Oh dear! I'm sorry, Catrin.
- CatrinDim problem, Gareth.No problem, Gareth.
- GarethWyt ti'n iawn?Are you okay?
- CatrinYdw, dwi'n iawn.Yes, I'm okay.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sorry” translations and entries mae'n ddrwg gen i, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
