사과드립니다.
sagwadeurimnida.
I apologize.
Phrase in 30 Seconds
A high-level formal apology used to take responsibility in professional or serious social settings.
- Means: 'I offer an apology' (very formal)
- Used in: Business emails, public announcements, or to elders
- Don't confuse: Use with friends; it sounds cold or sarcastic
Explanation at your level:
意味
A formal way to express an apology.
文化的背景
The '90-degree bow' often accompanies this phrase in person. The depth of the bow signifies the depth of the apology. Apology letters (사과문) are a specific genre of writing. They must be handwritten sometimes to show extra sincerity. In K-Dramas, a character refusing to use this phrase often signals their arrogance or villainous nature. The hashtag #사과드립니다 is often used by businesses when their apps go down or services are interrupted.
Use in Emails
Always start a formal apology email with this phrase to set a respectful tone immediately.
Don't Overuse
If you use it for every tiny thing, it loses its power and makes you seem overly anxious or insincere.
意味
A formal way to express an apology.
Use in Emails
Always start a formal apology email with this phrase to set a respectful tone immediately.
Don't Overuse
If you use it for every tiny thing, it loses its power and makes you seem overly anxious or insincere.
The Bow
If saying this in person, a slight bow of the head (15-30 degrees) makes it feel 100% more natural to a Korean speaker.
Add Adverbs
Adding '진심으로' (sincerely) before '사과드립니다' is the 'gold standard' for showing you really mean it.
自分をテスト
Fill in the blank with the correct formal verb form.
불편을 드려 진심으로 {사과|謝過}_______.
In a formal context like 'causing inconvenience,' '드립니다' is the most appropriate humble form.
Match the situation to the correct apology.
You are writing an email to a client about a late project.
Business emails require the highest level of formality.
Which sentence is the MOST formal?
Choose the most formal apology.
'사과드립니다' uses both a formal noun and a humble verb ending.
Complete the dialogue between a manager and a customer.
Customer: '음식에서 머리카락이 나왔어요!' Manager: '정말 죄송합니다. 서비스에 소홀했던 점 _______.'
A manager must use formal language to address a customer complaint.
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Apology Formality Scale
よくある質問
10 問It's not 'better,' just more formal and official. Use '죄송합니다' for most daily interactions and '사과드립니다' for business or serious matters.
Yes, it is polite but slightly less formal than '사과드립니다.' It's good for a friendly but professional relationship.
Yes! It's a very common pun. Sometimes people give an apple as a physical joke when they apologize.
'사죄의 말씀을 올립니다' or '깊이 사죄드립니다' are even more formal than '사과드립니다.'
You can say '아니에요, 괜찮습니다' (No, it's okay) or '사과해 주셔서 감사합니다' (Thank you for apologizing).
Usually, '죄송합니다' is better. '사과드립니다' might sound like you are being too distant or formal with family.
In professional KakaoTalk groups or business texts, yes. In personal texts, no.
It is the humble version of '주다.' Using it shows that you are giving something (the apology) to someone you respect.
Use '유감입니다' (I regret it). It's a way to show sympathy without taking full blame.
Yes, you can tell a child '사과해야지' (You should apologize), but you wouldn't say '사과해요' to apologize to them.
関連フレーズ
죄송합니다
similarI am sorry (polite/standard)
사죄드립니다
specialized formI offer a profound apology/atonement
송구합니다
similarI am terribly sorry/I feel small
미안해
contrastSorry (informal)
유감입니다
similarI regret it / It is regrettable
どこで使う？
Late for a Job Interview
Applicant: 면접 시간에 늦어서 정말 {사과|謝過}드립니다.
Interviewer: 괜찮습니다. 앉으세요.
Customer Service Call
Agent: 배송이 지연되어 진심으로 {사과|謝過}드립니다.
Customer: 언제쯤 받을 수 있나요?
Spilling Coffee on a Stranger
Me: 앗, 옷을 버리게 해서 정말 {사과|謝過}드립니다.
Stranger: 아니에요, 괜찮습니다.
Business Email regarding a Bug
Developer: 시스템 오류로 불편을 드려 {사과|謝過}드립니다.
Client: 빠른 수정 부탁드립니다.
Breaking a Neighbor's Window
Neighbor: 이게 어떻게 된 일이죠?
Me: 제 아이가 실수를 했습니다. 깊이 {사과|謝過}드립니다.
Public Speech after a Scandal
Politician: 국민 여러분께 실망을 드려 {사과|謝過}드립니다.
Reporter: 사퇴하실 건가요?
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Sagwa' (사과) which also means 'Apple.' Imagine giving a shiny red apple to someone as a peace offering.
Visual Association
A person in a sharp business suit performing a 45-degree bow while holding out a formal letter.
Rhyme
In a formal spot, when you're in a knot, 'Sagwa-deurimnida' hits the spot.
Story
You are at a high-end Korean company. You accidentally deleted a file. Instead of running away, you walk to the CEO, bow deeply, and say 'Sagwa-deurimnida.' The CEO is impressed by your professionalism and promotes you.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Write a 3-sentence formal email in Korean apologizing for a late homework assignment using this phrase.
In Other Languages
Le pido disculpas
Korean uses a humble verb ('give') while Spanish uses 'ask'.
Je vous présente mes excuses
French is slightly more wordy; Korean is more compact.
Ich bitte um Entschuldigung
German is a request for forgiveness; Korean is an offering of an apology.
お詫び申し上げます
Japanese uses a 'saying' verb (moushiageru), Korean uses a 'giving' verb (deurida).
أعتذر بشدة
Arabic formality is often through vocabulary choice; Korean is through verb endings.
向您道歉
Chinese lacks the complex verb conjugation levels of Korean.
Peço-lhe desculpas
Korean is more likely to be used in written form than the Portuguese equivalent.
I sincerely apologize
English is less grammatically rigid about formality than Korean.
Easily Confused
Learners think it's just the 'Haeyo-che' version of the apology.
It often sounds like 'You should apologize' or a command. Stick to '사과드립니다' or '죄송합니다.'
The word '사과' means both 'apple' and 'apology.'
Context is key. If there is a verb like '먹다' (eat), it's an apple. If it's '하다' or '드리다', it's an apology.
よくある質問 (10)
It's not 'better,' just more formal and official. Use '죄송합니다' for most daily interactions and '사과드립니다' for business or serious matters.
Yes, it is polite but slightly less formal than '사과드립니다.' It's good for a friendly but professional relationship.
Yes! It's a very common pun. Sometimes people give an apple as a physical joke when they apologize.
'사죄의 말씀을 올립니다' or '깊이 사죄드립니다' are even more formal than '사과드립니다.'
You can say '아니에요, 괜찮습니다' (No, it's okay) or '사과해 주셔서 감사합니다' (Thank you for apologizing).
Usually, '죄송합니다' is better. '사과드립니다' might sound like you are being too distant or formal with family.
In professional KakaoTalk groups or business texts, yes. In personal texts, no.
It is the humble version of '주다.' Using it shows that you are giving something (the apology) to someone you respect.
Use '유감입니다' (I regret it). It's a way to show sympathy without taking full blame.
Yes, you can tell a child '사과해야지' (You should apologize), but you wouldn't say '사과해요' to apologize to them.
