Learn how to say sorry in Chinese with pinyin, audio examples, and real-life situations. Master 对不起 (duì bu qǐ), 抱歉 (bào qiàn), and 不好意思 (bù hǎo yì si) in just 10 minutes.
Three Ways to Say Sorry in Chinese
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | When to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 不好意思 | bù hǎo yì si | Excuse me / Sorry | Minor inconveniences, asking for help, social situations |
| 抱歉 | bào qiàn | Apologies | Business emails, polite refusals, formal situations |
| 对不起 | duì bu qǐ | Sorry | Serious mistakes, offenses, sincere apologies |
Quick Tip: The tone matters! Use 不好意思 (bù hǎo yì si) for small things (lightest), 抱歉 (bào qiàn) for formal situations (medium), and 对不起 (duì bu qǐ) for serious mistakes (heaviest).
1. 不好意思 (Bù Hǎo Yì Si) – “Excuse Me / Sorry”
The lightest and most casual way to apologize. Use for minor inconveniences, social situations, or when getting someone’s attention.
Examples:
Bù hǎo yì si, má fan nǐ le.
不好意思，麻烦你了。
Sorry to trouble you.
Bù hǎo yì si, dǎ rǎo yí xià.
不好意思，打扰一下。
Excuse me, sorry to disturb you.
Bù hǎo yì si, jiè guò yí xià.
不好意思，借过一下。
Excuse me, let me pass.
Bù hǎo yì si, qǐng wèn dì tiě zhàn zài nǎ lǐ?
不好意思，请问地铁站在哪里？
Excuse me, where is the subway station?
Key Difference: This is the lightest form of apology. Use it for small things, not serious mistakes. It’s also the standard way to say “excuse me” in Chinese.
2. 抱歉 (Bào Qiàn) – “Apologies”
A more formal way to apologize. Use in business emails, written communication, or when politely refusing requests.
Examples:
Bào qiàn, wǒ bù néng cān jiā.
抱歉，我不能参加。
Apologies, I can’t attend.
Bào qiàn, ràng nǐ jiǔ děng le.
抱歉，让你久等了。
Sorry for keeping you waiting.
Bào qiàn, gěi nín dài lái bù biàn.
抱歉，给您带来不便。
Sorry for the inconvenience caused.
Bào qiàn, wǒ bù zhī dào.
抱歉，我不知道。
Sorry, I have no idea.
Fēi cháng bào qiàn, wǒ men wú fǎ mǎn zú nín de yāo qiú.
非常抱歉，我们无法满足您的要求。
We sincerely apologize that we cannot meet your request.
Key Difference: Use 抱歉 (bào qiàn) in formal situations (business emails, polite refusals). Use 对不起 (duì bu qǐ) in daily life for genuine, sincere apologies.
3. 对不起 (Duì Bu Qǐ) – “Sorry”
The most serious way to apologize in Chinese. Use for genuine mistakes, offenses, or sincere apologies.
Examples:
Duì bu qǐ, wǒ cuò le.
对不起，我错了。
Sorry, I was wrong.
Duì bu qǐ, wǒ chí dào le.
对不起，我迟到了。
Sorry, I’m late.
Duì bu qǐ, dǎ rǎo le.
对不起，打扰了。
Sorry for disturbing you.
Duì bu qǐ, wǒ bú shì gù yì de.
对不起，我不是故意的。
Sorry, I didn’t mean to do that.
Duì bu qǐ, wǒ wàng le.
对不起，我忘了。
Sorry, I forgot.
Common Response:
Méi guān xi.
没关系。
It’s okay. / No problem.
Méi shì.
没事。
It’s nothing. (more casual)
When to Use Each Word
| Situation | 不好意思 | 抱歉 | 对不起 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asking for directions | ✅ Best | ❌ Too formal | ❌ Too serious |
| Minor inconvenience | ✅ Best | ❌ Too formal | ❌ Too serious |
| Getting attention | ✅ Best | ❌ Too formal | ❌ Too serious |
| Business email | ❌ Too casual | ✅ Best | ⚠️ Okay |
| Refusing request (formal) | ⚠️ Too casual | ✅ Best | ⚠️ Okay |
| You’re late (casual) | ✅ Okay | ⚠️ Too formal | ✅ Best |
| You’re late (business) | ❌ Too casual | ✅ Best | ✅ Good |
| Serious mistake | ❌ Too light | ⚠️ Too formal | ✅ Best |
Legend: ✅ Best | ⚠️ Okay | ❌ Not appropriate
Real-Life Scenarios
Scenario 1: Asking for Directions
Dialogue:
A: Bù hǎo yì si, qǐng wèn dì tiě zhàn zài nǎ lǐ?
A: 不好意思，请问地铁站在哪里？
A: Excuse me, where is the subway station?
B: Zhí zǒu rán hòu zuǒ zhuǎn.
B: 直走然后左转。
B: Go straight and then turn left.
A: Xiè xie!
A: 谢谢！
A: Thank you!
Usage Tip: Always use 不好意思 (bù hǎo yì si) when asking strangers for help. Do NOT use 对不起 (duì bu qǐ) – it would sound too serious and strange.
Scenario 2: You’re Late
Casual (with friends):
A: Duì bu qǐ, lù shàng dǔ chē, wǒ lái wǎn le.
A: 对不起，路上堵车，我来晚了。
A: Sorry, I’m late. There was a traffic jam.
B: Méi guān xi.
B: 没关系。
B: It’s okay.
Formal (business):
Bào qiàn, ràng nín jiǔ děng le.
抱歉，让您久等了。
Apologies for keeping you waiting.
Scenario 3: Politely Refusing a Request
Casual Refusal:
Bù hǎo yì si, wǒ bàn bù liǎo.
不好意思，我办不了。
Sorry, I can’t do it.
Formal Refusal:
Bào qiàn, wǒ bù néng cān jiā.
抱歉，我不能参加。
Apologies, I can’t attend.
Video Lessons
Beginner: Basic “Sorry” in Chinese
Intermediate: How to Say “Sorry, I Can’t”
Advanced: More Apology Expressions
Quick Quiz
Question 1: Asking for Directions
Question: You want to ask a stranger for directions. Which phrase should you use?
Options:
A. Duì bu qǐ, qǐng wèn… (对不起，请问…)
B. Bào qiàn, qǐng wèn… (抱歉，请问…)
C. Bù hǎo yì si, qǐng wèn… (不好意思，请问…)
Answer: C. Use 不好意思 (bù hǎo yì si) when asking for help. Using 对不起 (duì bu qǐ) would sound too serious.
Question 2: Serious Mistake
Question: You made a serious mistake at work. Which word is most appropriate?
Options:
A. 不好意思 (bù hǎo yì si)
B. 抱歉 (bào qiàn)
C. 对不起 (duì bu qǐ)
Answer: C. 对不起 (duì bu qǐ) is the most appropriate for serious mistakes.
Question 3: Business Email
Question: You need to apologize in a business email. Which word should you use?
Options:
A. 不好意思 (bù hǎo yì si)
B. 抱歉 (bào qiàn)
C. 对不起 (duì bu qǐ)
Answer: B. 抱歉 (bào qiàn) is more formal and appropriate for business writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What’s the difference between 对不起 and 抱歉?
A: 对不起 (duì bu qǐ) is for serious apologies in daily life. 抱歉 (bào qiàn) is more formal, used in business or writing.
Q2: When should I use 不好意思 instead of 对不起?
A: Use 不好意思 (bù hǎo yì si) for minor inconveniences (asking directions, getting attention). Use 对不起 (duì bu qǐ) for serious mistakes.
Rule: Small things → 不好意思. Serious things → 对不起.
Q3: How do I respond when someone says 对不起 to me?
A: The most common response is 没关系 (méi guān xi) – “It’s okay.” You can also say 没事 (méi shì) – “It’s nothing” for casual situations.
Q4: What’s the difference between 道歉 (dào qiàn) and 抱歉 (bào qiàn)?
A: 道歉 (dào qiàn) is a verb meaning “to apologize” – it describes the action. 抱歉 (bào qiàn) is an adjective meaning “sorry” – it expresses the feeling.
Example:
Wǒ xiàng nǐ dào qiàn.
我向你道歉。
I apologize to you. (action)
Bào qiàn, wǒ lái wǎn le.
抱歉，我来晚了。
Sorry, I came late. (feeling)
Q5: What’s the most versatile word to learn first?
A: Start with 不好意思 (bù hǎo yì si) – it’s the most commonly used in daily life. Then learn 对不起 (duì bu qǐ) for serious situations, and 抱歉 (bào qiàn) for formal contexts.
Practice Tips
Today’s Challenge: Try using these phrases in real situations:
1. 不好意思 (bù hǎo yì si) – Next time you need to get someone’s attention
2. 对不起 (duì bu qǐ) – When you make a mistake
3. 抱歉 (bào qiàn) – In a formal email or message
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
– ❌ Using 对不起 (duì bu qǐ) when asking for directions → Too serious! Use 不好意思 (bù hǎo yì si)
– ❌ Using 不好意思 (bù hǎo yì si) for serious mistakes → Too light! Use 对不起 (duì bu qǐ)
– ❌ Forgetting the response → Always learn 没关系 (méi guān xi) together with 对不起
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