There are two main stems for apologizing in Korean that both mean “sorry”<\/strong>\u2014 they are:<\/p>\n The stems are usually not used on their own and the correct endings must be added to them.\u00a0<\/p>\n For a quick introduction to both and how they’re used, here’s a video from our YouTube channel<\/a>:\u00a0<\/p>\n Let\u2019s have a look at each one and their variations in closer detail!<\/p>\n Use:\u00a0<\/strong>Various informal situations<\/p>\n You can simply say \ubbf8\uc548, but it wouldn\u2019t mean much.<\/p>\n It’s the most informal way of apologizing in Korean. It\u2019s not that serious and has almost a playful tone to it, sometimes even accompanied by a smirk.<\/p>\n You use this when addressing children or people younger than you, and when the mistake you\u2019ve made is really not that serious. Almost a token apology, I’d say.<\/p>\n You simply add \ud574 (hae)<\/em> to the \ubbf8\uc548 stem.<\/p>\n We’re still in the casual territory with \ubbf8\uc548\ud574 and you use it when saying sorry to your friends. It\u2019s probably the most common informal apology and is a lot more sincere than the previous one.\u00a0<\/p>\n Also, this is often the apology used in boyfriend-girlfriend relationships. Your \u201csorry\u201d might be more acceptable when accompanied by romantic gestures of \u201creparations,\u201d like flowers and chocolates.\u00a0<\/p>\n For this one, you simply add \ud574\uc694<\/strong> (hae-yo)<\/em> to the \ubbf8\uc548 stem.<\/p>\n With \ubbf8\uc548\ud574\uc694, we’re now entering the more formal category. The tone is more serious.<\/p>\n You use \ubbf8\uc548\ud574\uc694 for people who are: a bit older than you; your age that you don’t know very well or that you work with; and rank slightly higher than you at work or in society.<\/p>\n Finally, when you add \ud569\ub2c8\ub2e4 (ham-ni-da)<\/em> to \ubbf8\uc548, you have \ubbf8\uc548\ud569\ub2c8\ub2e4, which is the most formal form of apology of the \ubbf8\uc548 stem.<\/p>\n If you want, you can add \uc815\ub9d0 (jeong-mal)<\/em> at the beginning of the phrase and end up with \uc815\ub9d0 \ubbf8\uc548\ud569\ub2c8\ub2e4 (jeong-mal mi-ah-nam-ni-da).<\/em><\/p>\n \uc815\ub9d0 is the Korean equivalent of the English word \u201cvery\u201d or \u201ctruly.\u201d Adding it serves as an intensifier and will let the aggrieved party know that you’re truly sorry for the hurt feelings you\u2019ve caused.<\/p>\n Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n \ub2a6\uc5b4\uc11c \ubbf8\uc548\ud574\uc694.<\/strong> (Sorry I’m late)<\/p>\n \ubbf8\uc548\ud574.<\/strong> \ub0b4\uac00 \uc798\ubabb\ud588\uc5b4. (I’m sorry. I was wrong.)<\/p>\n Use:\u00a0<\/strong>Various formal situations<\/p>\n With \uc8c4\uc1a1<\/strong>, we’re getting even more formal with the apology. Note that with this stem, there are no informal ending variations, as it is only used in formal situations! The stem shouldn’t be used on its own either.\u00a0<\/p>\n \uc8c4\uc1a1\ud574\uc694 may be used with elders that you know well\u2014like when you\u2019re apologizing to parents or grandparents and people who are above you in age, rank, or social standing.<\/p>\n \uc8c4\uc1a1\ud569\ub2c8\ub2e4 is a very formal way of saying \u201csorry.\u201d You know that when you see endings like \ud569\ub2c8\ub2e4, it means the situation requires polite and formal language.<\/p>\n Despite its high level of formality, it’s one of the most used ways of apologizing<\/strong> because you can never go wrong with being too polite! It’s one that you should definitely remember.<\/p>\n You often use \uc8c4\uc1a1\ud569\ub2c8\ub2e4 to apologize to people you don\u2019t know. Let\u2019s say in your rush to get to the coffee shop where your girlfriend’s been waiting for two hours, you bump into somebody in the street. You say, \uc8c4\uc1a1\ud569\ub2c8\ub2e4.<\/p>\n You also use this one with your boss, or with people of higher rank than you or who are much older than you that you don’t know very well.\u00a0<\/p>\n Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n \ub2e4 \ud314\ub838\uc5b4\uc694. \uc8c4\uc1a1\ud574\uc694.<\/strong> (We’re sold out. I’m sorry.)<\/p>\n \uc8c4\uc1a1\ud558\uc9c0\ub9cc<\/strong> \uc800\ub294 \uc9c0\uae08 \uac00\uc57c \ub3fc\uc694. (I’m sorry but I need to go.)<\/p>\n Use:\u00a0<\/strong>When you’ve done something wrong<\/p>\n This statement is a humble admission of fault or mistake, so you can add it to bolster your apology.<\/p>\n Take note that in Korea, you say \u201csorry\u201d only when you’ve actually made a mistake and have caused harm or hurt. It\u2019s essentially an admission of fault. Meaning, the mistake is attributable to you.<\/p>\n Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n \ub2e4 \uc81c \uc798\ubabb\uc774\uc5d0\uc694<\/strong>. (It’s all my fault.)<\/p>\n \uc81c \uc798\ubabb\uc774\uc5b4\uc11c<\/strong> \uc0ac\uacfc\ud588\uc5b4\uc694. (It’s my fault, so I apologized.)<\/p>\n Use:\u00a0<\/strong>When you’ve done something wrong<\/p>\n Not doing it again is, of course, the highest proof that you really are sorry for what you\u2019ve done. It proves to the other party that you’re seriously repentant of your offense.<\/p>\n Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n \ud558\uc900: \uc65c \uadf8\ub7ac\uc5b4\uc694? (Ha-jun: Why did you do that?)<\/p>\n \uc218\ud638: \ub2e4\uc2dc\ub294 \uc548 \uadf8\ub7f4\uac8c\uc694.<\/strong> \uc8c4\uc1a1\ud569\ub2c8\ub2e4. (Su-ho: I won’t do it again. I’m sorry.)<\/p>\n Use:\u00a0<\/strong>When you’ve done something wrong<\/p>\n Anyone who’s learning about a whole new culture is likely to commit a social faux pas that could require an apology. In that case, you’ll need to use this apology.<\/p>\n Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n \uc9c0\uc544: \uc774\uac70 \uae7c\uc5b4\uc694? (Ji-a: Did you break this?)<\/p>\n \uc608\uc900: \ub124… \uc81c\ubc1c \ud654\ub0b4\uc9c0 \ub9c8\uc138\uc694<\/strong>.\u00a0 (Ye-hun: Yes… please don’t be mad at me.)<\/p>\n To avoid such situations as much as possible, it’s important to understand how phrases are used in context. Using a language learning program such as FluentU<\/a>\u00a0can help you observe what native speakers say in various contexts.<\/p>\n FluentU<\/strong> takes authentic videos\u2014like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks\u2014and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app<\/a> or Android app.<\/a><\/p>\r\n\n
1. \ubbf8\uc548 \u2014 I’m sorry (Informal)<\/h3>\n
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2. \uc8c4\uc1a1 \u2014 I’m sorry (Formal)<\/h3>\n
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3. \uc81c \uc798\ubabb\uc774\uc5d0\uc694 \u2014 It\u2019s my fault<\/h3>\n
4. \ub2e4\uc2dc\ub294 \uc548 \uadf8\ub7f4\uac8c\uc694 \u2014 I won\u2019t do it again<\/h3>\n
5. \uc81c\ubc1c \ud654\ub0b4\uc9c0 \ub9c8\uc138\uc694 \u2014 Please don\u2019t be mad at me<\/h3>\n
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