미안합니다
mianhamnida
I'm sorry (formal)
Phrase in 30 Seconds
미안합니다 is the standard, polite way to say 'I'm sorry' in Korean formal settings.
- Means: 'I am sorry' (Formal/Polite)
- Used in: Work, with strangers, or in slightly formal social settings.
- Don't confuse: Use 죄송합니다 for elders or much higher status people.
Explanation at your level:
Signification
A formal and polite expression of apology.
Contexte culturel
Bowing is essential. A 15-30 degree bow while saying '미안합니다' shows sincerity. Avoiding eye contact slightly during the apology is seen as humble. In business, an apology is often followed by a promise to fix the mistake. Just saying '미안합니다' isn't enough; you must show the 'An' (peace) is being restored. The 'Apology-Gift' culture. For bigger mistakes, Koreans often bring a small gift (like a box of vitamin drinks) along with their verbal apology. Public apologies (Sagwamun) are common for celebrities and politicians. They use extremely formal language, often even more formal than '미안합니다'.
The Bow
Even a tiny nod makes your '미안합니다' sound 10x more sincere to a Korean speaker.
Hierarchy Matters
When in doubt, use '죄송합니다'. It's never rude to be too polite, but it can be rude to be too casual.
Signification
A formal and polite expression of apology.
The Bow
Even a tiny nod makes your '미안합니다' sound 10x more sincere to a Korean speaker.
Hierarchy Matters
When in doubt, use '죄송합니다'. It's never rude to be too polite, but it can be rude to be too casual.
Reason First
Always put the reason before the apology (e.g., 'Late-because sorry') to sound more natural.
Don't Over-apologize
While polite, over-apologizing for tiny things can make people feel uncomfortable (burdened).
Teste-toi
Choose the most appropriate apology to say to a stranger you accidentally bumped into.
길에서 모르는 사람과 부딪혔을 때 뭐라고 할까요?
With a stranger, the formal '미안합니다' is the correct polite choice.
Fill in the blank to say 'I'm sorry for being late.'
늦어서 ________.
While all are grammatically correct, '미안합니다' is the standard formal answer requested.
Match the phrase to the person you are speaking to.
1. Boss, 2. Best Friend, 3. Stranger
Boss gets the humblest (죄송합니다), friend gets casual (미안해), stranger gets formal (미안합니다).
Complete the dialogue.
A: 왜 약속에 안 왔어요? B: 아, 정말 ________. 깜빡 잊었어요.
B is apologizing for forgetting an appointment.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Korean Apology Hierarchy
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt's better to say '죄송합니다' to show more respect.
미안합니다 is formal (Hapsyo-che), while 미안해요 is polite-informal (Haeyo-che). Use the former in business and the latter with acquaintances.
Only to very close friends or people younger than you. Otherwise, it's quite rude.
The most common response is '괜찮습니다' (It's okay) or '아니에요' (No/It's nothing).
No, use '실례합니다' for 'Excuse me' and '저기요' to get someone's attention.
Yes, it is very common in professional emails for minor issues.
This is a Korean phonology rule called nasalization. When 'ㅂ' meets 'ㄴ', it sounds like 'ㅁ'.
Yes, but they have their own variations and may prefer different honorific levels.
If you are sad for someone else, use '유감입니다' or '안타깝네요'. '미안합니다' implies your fault.
In a very casual setting, yes. In a formal setting, a bow is expected.
Expressions liées
죄송합니다
similarI am sorry (very formal/humble)
실례합니다
relatedExcuse me
사과하다
builds onTo apologize
유감입니다
contrastI regret it / That's a pity
괜찮습니다
contrastIt is okay
Où l'utiliser
Bumping into a stranger
You: 앗, 미안합니다!
Stranger: 괜찮습니다.
Late for a meeting
You: 늦어서 정말 미안합니다.
Colleague: 아니에요, 이제 시작해요.
Spilling a drink at a cafe
You: 죄송합니다... 아, 미안합니다. 제가 치울게요.
Staff: 아닙니다, 제가 하겠습니다.
Forgetting a colleague's name
You: 성함을 잊어서 미안합니다. 다시 말씀해 주시겠어요?
Colleague: 괜찮아요. 김철수입니다.
Declining an invitation
Friend's Parent: 저녁 먹고 가요.
You: 미안합니다, 오늘은 약속이 있어서요.
Making a noise in a library
Librarian: 조용히 해주세요.
You: 아, 미안합니다.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Me-An' as 'Me Un-easy'. I am un-easy because I did something wrong.
Visual Association
Imagine a person holding their heart (An/Peace) and it's glowing red (Mi/Not) because they forgot a friend's birthday.
Rhyme
In a formal band, say Mianhamnida to the man.
Story
You are at a formal dinner and spill water. You look at the host, bow slightly, and say 'Mianhamnida.' The 'An' (peace) returns to the room as they smile and nod.
Word Web
Défi
Try saying '미안합니다' while bowing 15 degrees in front of a mirror to practice the physical delivery.
In Other Languages
Lo siento
Korean has strict hierarchy levels that Spanish lacks.
Je suis désolé
French 'Pardon' is used for 'Excuse me', whereas '미안합니다' is not.
Es tut mir leid
German doesn't change the verb based on the listener's social status.
ごめんなさい (Gomen nasai)
Japanese 'Sumimasen' is used much more frequently for 'Thank you' than '미안합니다' is.
أنا آسف (Ana asif)
Arabic apologies often involve religious invocations (Inshallah, etc.) which Korean does not.
对不起 (Duìbuqǐ)
Chinese 'Duibuqi' is quite strong; 'Bu haoyisi' is used for minor things where Koreans might still use '미안합니다'.
Desculpe
Portuguese doesn't have a specific 'humble' verb for apologizing to elders.
I'm sorry
English uses the same phrase for friends and bosses; Korean does not.
Easily Confused
Learners don't know which level of 'sorry' to use.
If the person is older or your boss, always use 죄송합니다. If they are your age or a stranger, 미안합니다 is safe.
English 'Excuse me' and 'Sorry' are often mixed.
Use 실례합니다 *before* you do something (like passing through a crowd). Use 미안합니다 *after* you do something (like stepping on a toe).
FAQ (10)
It's better to say '죄송합니다' to show more respect.
미안합니다 is formal (Hapsyo-che), while 미안해요 is polite-informal (Haeyo-che). Use the former in business and the latter with acquaintances.
Only to very close friends or people younger than you. Otherwise, it's quite rude.
The most common response is '괜찮습니다' (It's okay) or '아니에요' (No/It's nothing).
No, use '실례합니다' for 'Excuse me' and '저기요' to get someone's attention.
Yes, it is very common in professional emails for minor issues.
This is a Korean phonology rule called nasalization. When 'ㅂ' meets 'ㄴ', it sounds like 'ㅁ'.
Yes, but they have their own variations and may prefer different honorific levels.
If you are sad for someone else, use '유감입니다' or '안타깝네요'. '미안합니다' implies your fault.
In a very casual setting, yes. In a formal setting, a bow is expected.
