B1 Expression Formal

万分抱歉

wan fen bao qian

Deeply sorry

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Use this phrase to express deep, sincere regret in formal or professional settings.

  • Means: Extremely sorry or deeply apologetic.
  • Used in: Business emails, formal apologies, or serious social mistakes.
  • Don't confuse: It is not for casual 'oops' moments with friends.
Deep bow + sincere expression = {万分|wànfēn}{抱歉|bàoqiàn}

Explanation at your level:

This is a way to say sorry. It is very formal. Use it when you make a big mistake at work.
When you want to say you are very, very sorry, you use this. It is not for friends, but for bosses or customers.
This phrase expresses deep regret. It is a formal expression used in professional settings to show that you take your mistake seriously. It is more intense than a simple 'sorry'.
This is an intensifier used to demonstrate high levels of sincerity. It is appropriate for written correspondence or formal speech where maintaining professional decorum is essential to mitigate the impact of an error.
Functioning as a high-register apology, this phrase utilizes the hyperbolic '万分' to quantify the speaker's remorse. It is a strategic linguistic choice in corporate or diplomatic contexts to restore professional equilibrium after a significant lapse in protocol.
This expression exemplifies the intersection of traditional Chinese hyperbole and modern professional etiquette. By invoking the 'ten thousand parts' metaphor, the speaker linguistically signals a totalizing state of contrition, effectively navigating the complex social dynamics of accountability and face-saving in hierarchical structures.

Meaning

Expressing extreme regret or apology for something.

🌍

Cultural Background

Used in formal business correspondence.

💡

Context is Key

Only use this when you really mean it.

Meaning

Expressing extreme regret or apology for something.

💡

Context is Key

Only use this when you really mean it.

Test Yourself

Which situation is best for '万分抱歉'?

You spilled water on your boss's laptop.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: A

This is a professional, serious situation.

🎉 Score: /1

Frequently Asked Questions

1 questions

Yes, it is appropriate for teachers.

Related Phrases

🔄

深表歉意

synonym

Deeply express apology

Where to Use It

📅

Missed Deadline

Employee: 万分抱歉，报告没能准时提交。

formal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine 10,000 (万) apologies (抱歉) flying out of your mouth like a swarm of bees.

Visual Association

A businessman in a suit bowing deeply in front of a giant digital sign that says '10,000'.

Story

You are a chef. You burned the cake for the King. You bow down and say '万分抱歉' while 10,000 tiny apologies float around the room.

Word Web

抱歉道歉愧疚万分非常失礼

Challenge

Write three formal emails to a fake boss apologizing for different mistakes using this phrase.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Le pido mil disculpas.

Spanish uses 'mil' while Chinese uses '万'.

French moderate

Je vous présente mes excuses les plus sincères.

French is more abstract; Chinese is more hyperbolic.

German moderate

Ich entschuldige mich vielmals.

German is adverbial; Chinese is a set phrase.

Japanese high

誠に申し訳ございません。

Japanese is more humble/self-deprecating.

Arabic moderate

أعتذر بشدة

Arabic focuses on the force of the feeling.

Chinese n/a

万分抱歉

N/A

Korean high

대단히 죄송합니다.

Korean uses an adverb; Chinese uses a noun-based phrase.

Portuguese high

Peço mil desculpas.

Portuguese is slightly more common in daily speech than the Chinese equivalent.

Easily Confused

万分抱歉 vs 不好意思

Learners use it for everything.

Use it for small things.

FAQ (1)

Yes, it is appropriate for teachers.

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