A1 Expression तटस्थ

미안해요

199

I apologize (informal)

Phrase in 30 Seconds

A polite, standard way to apologize to friends, colleagues, or acquaintances in daily Korean life.

  • Means: A polite way to express regret or apologize for a minor mistake.
  • Used in: Casual workplace settings, talking to friends, or interacting with service staff.
  • Don't confuse: Don't use this with superiors; use '죄송합니다' for high-level formal apologies.
Oops face + polite bow = '미안해요'

Explanation at your level:

This is a simple way to say 'I am sorry' in Korean. You use it with people you know well or in normal daily situations.
As a learner, '미안해요' is your go-to phrase for minor errors. It is polite and appropriate for most people you meet in Korea, balancing respect and friendliness.
While '죄송합니다' is for formal apologies, '미안해요' functions as a consultative register. It acknowledges the listener's status while maintaining a conversational tone, making it essential for building rapport in social settings.
The nuance of '미안해요' lies in its ability to mitigate social friction. By using this form, you signal that you are aware of the social hierarchy but are comfortable enough with the listener to avoid the rigid '합니다' style.
From a sociolinguistic perspective, '미안해요' represents the 'polite-casual' continuum. It functions as a hedge against potential conflict, allowing the speaker to express regret without the heavy emotional weight associated with '죄송합니다'.
The usage of '미안해요' is a marker of pragmatic competence. It demonstrates an understanding of the 'Haeyo-che' register, which is the primary vehicle for modern Korean social interaction, balancing the need for politeness with the desire for interpersonal connection.

मतलब

A less formal way to say sorry to someone.

🌍

सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि

Apologies are essential for maintaining 'kibun' (mood/face). Similar to Korea, apologies are used to maintain group harmony.

💡

Context is key

Always check who you are talking to.

मतलब

A less formal way to say sorry to someone.

💡

Context is key

Always check who you are talking to.

खुद को परखो

Which is appropriate for a boss?

Which phrase should you use to apologize to your boss?

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: 죄송합니다

Always use formal language with superiors.

🎉 स्कोर: /1

विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स

अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल

1 सवाल

No, use '죄송합니다'.

संबंधित मुहावरे

🔗

죄송합니다

specialized form

Formal apology

कहाँ इस्तेमाल करें

⏰

Being late

A: 늦어서 미안해요!

B: 괜찮아요, 저도 방금 왔어요.

neutral
✋

Interrupting

A: 잠시만요, 미안해요.

B: 네, 말씀하세요.

neutral

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Me-an' as 'Me-un-easy'. My heart is uneasy, so I say '미안해요'.

Visual Association

Imagine a person bowing slightly with a hand on their heart, looking a bit sheepish.

Rhyme

Feeling low? Say '미안해요'.

Story

Min-su was late for coffee. He walked in, bowed, and said '미안해요' to his friend. His friend smiled and said it was okay.

Word Web

미안하다죄송하다사과실수괜찮아요미안해

चैलेंज

Say '미안해요' to a friend or language partner today when you make a tiny mistake.

In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

Lo siento

Korean requires register adjustment; Spanish does not.

French moderate

Je suis désolé

French is less hierarchical than Korean.

German moderate

Es tut mir leid

German is more direct.

Japanese high

Gomen nasai

Japanese has even more levels of apology.

Arabic moderate

Ana asif

Arabic is gendered; Korean is not.

Easily Confused

미안해요 बनाम 죄송합니다

Learners use them interchangeably.

Use '미안해요' for friends, '죄송합니다' for bosses.

अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल (1)

No, use '죄송합니다'.

क्या यह मददगार था?

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