Korean · Greetings & Essentials
"I'm sorry" in Korean: 죄송합니다
죄송합니다joesonghamnida
I'm sorry in Korean is 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida). 죄송합니다 is a formal polite apology; 미안해요 is less formal and works in closer relationships.
I'm sorry: starting the exchange
늦어서 죄송합니다.neujeoseo joesonghamnida.
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How to pronounce 죄송합니다
Say it
joesonghamnida
/tɕwesoŋhamnita/
죄송합니다 is read joesonghamnida. In 죄송해요, read the full phrase as joesonghaeyo.
"I'm sorry" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 죄송합니다joesonghamnida | I'm sorry The inventory form for i'm sorry. | The inventory form for i'm sorry. |
| 죄송해요joesonghaeyo | I am sorry 죄송합니다 is a formal polite apology; 미안해요 is less formal and works in closer relationships. | 죄송합니다 is a formal polite apology; 미안해요 is less formal and works in closer relationships. |
How to use 죄송합니다 in real life
- 1I'm sorry: starting the exchange
늦어서 죄송합니다.
neujeoseo joesonghamnida.
I am sorry for being late.
죄송합니다 is a formal polite apology; 미안해요 is less formal and works in closer relationships.
- 2I'm sorry: adding useful context
죄송합니다. 제가 잘못 봤어요.
joesonghamnida. jega jalmot bwasseoyo.
I am sorry. I read it incorrectly.
This sentence places 죄송합니다 in a complete exchange.
- 3I'm sorry: a different conversation
불편을 드려서 죄송합니다.
bulpyeoneul deuryeoseo joesonghamnida.
I am sorry for causing inconvenience.
This sentence places 죄송합니다 in a complete exchange.
Mistakes English speakers make with 죄송합니다
Incorrect: 늦어서 죄송하습니다.
Correct: 늦어서 죄송합니다.
When practicing i'm sorry, after the vowel-final 하 stem, the formal polite ending is ㅂ니다, giving 합니다. The complete correction is 늦어서 죄송합니다.
Incorrect: 죄송하습니다. 제가 잘못 봤어요.
Correct: 죄송합니다. 제가 잘못 봤어요.
When practicing i'm sorry, after the vowel-final 하 stem, the formal polite ending is ㅂ니다, giving 합니다. The complete correction is 죄송합니다. 제가 잘못 봤어요.
Good to know
죄송합니다 is a formal polite apology; 미안해요 is less formal and works in closer relationships.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led greetings and essentials study exercise: two sentences with 죄송합니다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
늦어서 죄송합니다.
neujeoseo joesonghamnida.
I am sorry for being late.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
죄송합니다. 제가 잘못 봤어요.
joesonghamnida. jega jalmot bwasseoyo.
I am sorry. I read it incorrectly.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"I'm sorry" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "I'm sorry" in Korean
What does 죄송합니다 mean?
I'm sorry in Korean is 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida). 죄송합니다 is a formal polite apology; 미안해요 is less formal and works in closer relationships.
When should I say 죄송해요?
죄송합니다 is a formal polite apology; 미안해요 is less formal and works in closer relationships.
How does 죄송해요 differ from the basic expression?
죄송해요 means “I am sorry”. 죄송합니다 is a formal polite apology; 미안해요 is less formal and works in closer relationships.
Can I use 죄송합니다 in a full sentence?
늦어서 죄송합니다. means “I am sorry for being late.” 죄송합니다 is a formal polite apology; 미안해요 is less formal and works in closer relationships.
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