죄송합니다.
joesonghamnida.
I apologize (formal).
Phrase in 30 Seconds
죄송합니다 is the essential, high-respect way to say 'I am sorry' in Korean professional and social settings.
- Means: 'I am sorry' (Formal/Humble)
- Used in: Work, with elders, or when addressing strangers politely.
- Don't confuse: With '미안해', which is only for close friends or younger people.
Explanation at your level:
मतलब
A more formal and earnest apology than '미안합니다'.
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
The '90-degree bow' is reserved for extreme apologies (like a company CEO apologizing for a data breach). For daily use of '죄송합니다', a 15 to 30-degree bow is standard. In offices, '죄송합니다' is often the first word spoken when a mistake is discovered, even before an explanation is given. This shows you prioritize the relationship over your ego. In KakaoTalk, people often use emojis like 🙇 (bowing person) alongside '죄송합니다' to soften the tone and show sincerity through text. On crowded subways, a quick '죄송합니다' while moving through a crowd is considered very polite, though many younger people now use '잠시만요' (Just a moment).
The Bow Matters
Always lower your gaze and nod your head slightly. Eye contact during an apology can sometimes be seen as defiant in Korea.
Don't Overuse with Friends
If you use this with your Korean best friend, they might think you are being cold or trying to end the friendship.
मतलब
A more formal and earnest apology than '미안합니다'.
The Bow Matters
Always lower your gaze and nod your head slightly. Eye contact during an apology can sometimes be seen as defiant in Korea.
Don't Overuse with Friends
If you use this with your Korean best friend, they might think you are being cold or trying to end the friendship.
Add '정말'
If you really messed up, say '정말 정말 죄송합니다' (I am really, really sorry) to show extra sincerity.
Sympathy vs. Apology
Remember: if someone's grandmother passed away, do NOT say '죄송합니다'. Say '삼가 고인의 명복을 빕니다' or just '어떡해요'.
खुद को परखो
You are late for a job interview. What do you say to the interviewer?
늦어서 ________.
In a job interview, you must use the highest formal level of apology.
Complete the sentence to say 'I am sorry for making a mistake' using the '-어서' pattern.
실수____ 죄송합니다.
The '-어서/아서' ending is used to provide the reason for the apology.
Match the apology to the person.
1. Best Friend, 2. CEO, 3. Younger Brother
Use '죄송합니다' for the CEO and '미안해' for friends and younger siblings.
Complete the dialogue in a polite way.
A: 제 발을 밟으셨어요! (You stepped on my foot!) B: 아! ________.
When you cause physical discomfort to a stranger, '죄송합니다' is the standard response.
Match the Korean to the English meaning.
1. 정말 죄송합니다, 2. 죄송하지만, 3. 늦어서 죄송합니다
These are common variations of the phrase.
Which of the following is NOT a correct use of 죄송합니다?
Select the incorrect context:
죄송합니다 is for when you are at fault, not for expressing sympathy for something you didn't cause.
🎉 स्कोर: /6
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
Korean Apology Ladder
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
14 सवालYes. '죄송' uses more formal Hanja roots and is the standard for addressing superiors or strangers.
It's grammatically correct but socially very strange. It sounds like you are making fun of them or being extremely sarcastic.
Use '미안해' (Mian-hae).
'죄송합니다' is very formal (Hasipsio-che), while '죄송해요' is polite but slightly less formal (Haeyo-che).
Yes, especially when you are about to bother someone, like '죄송합니다만...' (I'm sorry, but...).
Keep them at your sides or folded in front of you. Do not put them in your pockets.
Mostly, but only for apologies. It cannot be used to express sympathy for something that isn't your fault.
Young people might text 'ㅈㅅ' (the consonants of 죄송), but this is extremely casual and should never be used with elders.
Use '진심으로 사죄드립니다' (I sincerely offer a deep apology).
You can say '괜찮습니다' (It's okay) or '아니에요' (No, it's nothing).
Bowing is a physical manifestation of the humility expressed in the word.
Yes, it is the standard way to apologize in professional emails.
Yes, but they also use '미안합니다' frequently in formal settings. '죄송' is understood but '미안' is very common there.
It is {罪|죄} (sin) and {悚|송} (fear).
संबंधित मुहावरे
미안합니다
similarI am sorry (Polite)
사과드립니다
specialized formI offer an apology
실례합니다
similarExcuse me
송구합니다
synonymI am sorry/ashamed
잘못했습니다
builds onI did wrong
용서해 주세요
builds onPlease forgive me
कहाँ इस्तेमाल करें
Being late for work
Employee: 부장님, 늦어서 정말 죄송합니다.
Manager: 다음부터는 늦지 마세요.
Bumping into a stranger
Person A: 아, 죄송합니다!
Person B: 아니에요, 괜찮습니다.
Wrong food order
Waiter: 죄송합니다. 음식이 잘못 나왔습니다. 바로 바꿔 드릴게요.
Customer: 네, 알겠습니다.
Asking for directions
Tourist: 죄송합니다만, 남대문 시장이 어디예요?
Local: 저쪽으로 쭉 가시면 돼요.
Spilling a drink
Guest: 어머, 죄송합니다! 제가 커피를 쏟았어요.
Host: 괜찮아요. 제가 닦을게요.
Declining a formal invite
Invitee: 선약이 있어서 참석하지 못해 정말 죄송합니다.
Organizer: 아쉽지만 어쩔 수 없죠. 다음에 봬요.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Joe's Song'. If Joe sings a bad song at a formal party, he says 'Joe-Song-Hamnida' to the host.
Visual Association
Imagine a businessman in a sharp suit performing a 45-degree bow in a clean, modern office. The word '죄송' is written in gold above him.
Rhyme
When you're wrong and the boss is strong, say 죄송 (Joe-Song)!
Story
You are at a high-end restaurant in Seoul. You accidentally spill tea on an elderly gentleman's silk hanbok. You don't just say 'sorry'; you feel the weight of the 'sin' (Joe) and you 'tremble' (Song) with respect. You bow and say '죄송합니다'.
Word Web
चैलेंज
Go through your day and identify three times you would say 'I'm sorry' to a stranger or a boss. Say '죄송합니다' out loud each time with a small nod.
In Other Languages
I am sorry
English 'sorry' covers sympathy; Korean '죄송' does not.
申し訳ございません (Moushiwake gozaimasen)
Japanese 'Sumimasen' is more versatile (thanks/sorry) than '죄송합니다'.
对不起 (Duìbuqǐ)
Korean has more distinct levels of politeness in the verb ending.
Je suis désolé(e)
Korean formality is tied to social rank, not just the size of the mistake.
Es tut mir leid / Entschuldigung
German lacks the specific 'humble' verb forms found in Korean.
Lo siento / Perdón
Spanish doesn't change the word based on the listener's age as strictly.
أنا آسف (Ana asif)
Korean is more focused on the speaker's lower status relative to the listener.
Desculpe / Sinto muito
Korean requires a bow, which is not standard in Lusophone cultures.
Easily Confused
Learners don't know which one is 'more' sorry.
Think of '죄송' as 'Professional/Elder' and '미안' as 'Equal/Friend'.
Both can be translated as 'I'm sorry' in English.
'유감입니다' is 'I regret to hear that' or 'It is a pity.' It doesn't mean you are apologizing for your own action.
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल (14)
Yes. '죄송' uses more formal Hanja roots and is the standard for addressing superiors or strangers.
It's grammatically correct but socially very strange. It sounds like you are making fun of them or being extremely sarcastic.
Use '미안해' (Mian-hae).
'죄송합니다' is very formal (Hasipsio-che), while '죄송해요' is polite but slightly less formal (Haeyo-che).
Yes, especially when you are about to bother someone, like '죄송합니다만...' (I'm sorry, but...).
Keep them at your sides or folded in front of you. Do not put them in your pockets.
Mostly, but only for apologies. It cannot be used to express sympathy for something that isn't your fault.
Young people might text 'ㅈㅅ' (the consonants of 죄송), but this is extremely casual and should never be used with elders.
Use '진심으로 사죄드립니다' (I sincerely offer a deep apology).
You can say '괜찮습니다' (It's okay) or '아니에요' (No, it's nothing).
Bowing is a physical manifestation of the humility expressed in the word.
Yes, it is the standard way to apologize in professional emails.
Yes, but they also use '미안합니다' frequently in formal settings. '죄송' is understood but '미안' is very common there.
It is {罪|죄} (sin) and {悚|송} (fear).
