미안해
The English phrase "sorry to a friend" is translated into Korean as 미안해.
미안해 is a concise and common way to say "I'm sorry" informally. It can be used as a standalone sentence to mean "I am sorry" or "Sorry". To express a deeper level of apology among close friends, you can say 진짜 미안해 (I'm really sorry).
Which one should you use?
While 미안해 is used for close friends, the formal version of the phrase is 미안합니다.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
미안해 is the informal way to say sorry, used with friends or people younger than you. 미안합니다 is the formal version.
Did you know?
- If a friend refuses to accept 미안해, a person might use the phrase 미안해 죽겠어, which literally means 'I am so sorry I could die'.
- The word 미안 comes from Hanja characters meaning 'not comfortable' or 'not easy'. Literally, you are telling your friend that your heart is not at ease because of what you did.
- In digital messaging, Korean friends often use the acronym ㅁㅇ to mean 'sorry'. This is a shorthand version of the consonants in 미안해 and is used in very casual, rapid-fire texting.
Examples in context
- 친구야, 미안해.Friend, sorry.
- 진짜 미안해, 친구야.I'm really sorry, my friend.
- 어제 연락 못 해서 미안해.eoje yeollak mot haeseo mianhae.I am sorry I couldn't contact you yesterday.
- 늦어서 정말 미안해.neujeoseo jeongmal mianhae.I am really sorry for being late.
- 약속을 못 지켜서 미안해.yaksogeul mot jikyeoseo mianhae.I am sorry I couldn't keep my promise.
Example conversation
Dohyun and Subin are meeting at a cafe after Dohyun arrived late.
- 도현 Do-hyeon수빈아, 많이 기다렸지? 정말 미안해.Subin-a, mani gidaryeotji? jeongmal mianhae.Subin, you waited a long time, right? I'm really sorry.
- 수빈 Su-bin괜찮아, 도현아. 나도 방금 왔어.gwaenchana, Dohyun-a. nado banggeum wasseo.It's okay, Dohyun. I just arrived too.
- 도현 Do-hyeon다음부터는 늦지 않을게.daeumbuteoneun neutji aneulge.I won't be late from now on.
- 수빈 Su-bin그래, 얼른 주문하자.geurae, eolleun jumunhaja.Okay, let's order quickly.
