A1 Expression 正式

미안합니다.

mianhamnida.

I'm sorry.

Phrase in 30 Seconds

A polite, formal way to say 'I'm sorry' for mistakes or causing minor trouble in Korean.

  • Means: 'My heart is not at ease' (I am sorry).
  • Used in: Formal settings, with strangers, or colleagues of similar rank.
  • Don't confuse: Use '죄송합니다' for elders or much higher-ranking bosses.
🙇‍♂️ + 💼 = 🤝 (A respectful bow + professional context = restored harmony)

Explanation at your level:

미안합니다 is the basic way to say 'I'm sorry' in a polite way. You use it when you make a small mistake, like being late or bumping into someone. It is formal, so you can use it with people you don't know well. Just remember to bow your head a little bit when you say it!
This expression uses the formal 'Hapsyo-che' ending (-nida). It is derived from Hanja meaning 'not at peace.' Use it in professional settings or with strangers. You can add a reason using the '-aseo/oseo' grammar, like '늦어서 미안합니다' (Sorry for being late). It's less formal than 'Joesong-hamnida' but more formal than 'Mian-haeyo.'
미안합니다 functions as a standard formal apology. While A1 learners use it as a set phrase, B1 learners should understand the nuance between this and '죄송합니다.' '미안합니다' is appropriate for horizontal relationships (colleagues) or when the speaker has slightly more social power but wants to remain polite. It is also used in written formal contexts where a direct apology is needed without extreme humility.
At this level, one must master the sociolinguistic implications of choosing '미안합니다' over '죄송합니다.' Using '미안합니다' to a superior can be perceived as a 'cold' or 'distanced' apology, as it lacks the extreme humble root of '죄송' (guilt/fear). It is often used in public service announcements (e.g., '불편을 드려 미안합니다') where the entity is apologizing to a general audience of equal or lower status.
Linguistic analysis reveals that '미안합니다' maintains a focus on the speaker's internal state (not being at peace), whereas '죄송합니다' focuses on the speaker's unworthiness before the listener. C1 learners should recognize that in high-context Korean culture, '미안합니다' can sometimes be used sarcastically or to end a conversation abruptly by providing a 'standard' but not 'heartfelt' apology, depending on the intonation and lack of a bow.
Mastery involves understanding the historical shift of the {未安|미안} root from a psychological description to a pragmatic marker. C2 learners should analyze how '미안합니다' interacts with the 'Chemyeon' (face) system; it allows the speaker to acknowledge a fault without completely 'losing face' in the way '죄송합니다' might. It is a strategic tool for maintaining professional boundaries while adhering to the strictures of Korean honorifics and speech levels.

意思

A formal apology for a mistake or inconvenience.

🌍

文化背景

Bowing is essential. A 15-30 degree bow while saying '미안합니다' shows sincerity. The deeper the bow, the more sorry you are. The concept of 'Chemyeon' (Face). Apologizing too much for small things can sometimes be seen as a lack of confidence, but not apologizing at all is a major social sin. Public apologies. In Korea, celebrities or CEOs often hold press conferences to say '미안합니다' or '죄송합니다' to the public for scandals. Apologizing for others. Parents will often say '미안합니다' on behalf of their children's behavior in public places like restaurants.

💡

The Bow Matters

Even a small nod makes your '미안합니다' sound 10x more sincere to a Korean speaker.

⚠️

Age is King

If you aren't sure of someone's age, use '죄송합니다' just to be safe. You can never be too polite in Korea.

意思

A formal apology for a mistake or inconvenience.

💡

The Bow Matters

Even a small nod makes your '미안합니다' sound 10x more sincere to a Korean speaker.

⚠️

Age is King

If you aren't sure of someone's age, use '죄송합니다' just to be safe. You can never be too polite in Korea.

🎯

Adding 'Jeongmal'

Add '정말' (Jeongmal - really) before '미안합니다' if you've made a significant mistake. It shows you care.

💬

Don't Over-explain

In Korea, a sincere apology is often better than a long list of excuses. Say you're sorry first, then briefly explain.

自我测试

Choose the correct phrase to use when you bump into a stranger of similar age at the mall.

길에서 모르는 사람과 부딪혔을 때 뭐라고 할까요?

✓ 正确！ ✗ 不太对。 正确答案： 미안합니다

Since it's a stranger, you should use the formal '미안합니다'. '미안해' is too casual.

Fill in the blank to say 'I am sorry for being late.'

_____ 미안합니다.

✓ 正确！ ✗ 不太对。 正确答案： 늦어서

'늦어서' means 'because I am late.'

Match the situation to the correct level of apology.

1. To your boss, 2. To your younger brother, 3. To a coworker

✓ 正确！ ✗ 不太对。 正确答案： 1-b, 2-a, 3-c

Boss = 죄송합니다 (Highest respect), Brother = 미안해 (Informal), Coworker = 미안합니다 (Formal polite).

Complete the dialogue.

A: 제 펜을 가져갔어요? B: 아, _____. 여기 있습니다.

✓ 正确！ ✗ 不太对。 正确答案： 미안합니다

B is apologizing for taking the pen.

Match the Korean phrase to its English meaning.

1. 정말 미안합니다, 2. 늦어서 미안합니다, 3. 실수해서 미안합니다

✓ 正确！ ✗ 不太对。 正确答案： 1-b, 2-c, 3-a

정말 = truly, 늦어서 = being late, 실수해서 = making a mistake.

🎉 得分： /5

视觉学习工具

Korean Apology Levels

Informal (Friends)
미안해 Sorry
Polite (Acquaintances)
미안해요 I'm sorry
Formal (Work/Strangers)
미안합니다 I am sorry (formal)
Humble (Elders/Boss)
죄송합니다 I am deeply sorry

常见问题

10 个问题

No. For condolences, use '삼가 고인의 명복을 빕니다' or '상심이 크시겠습니다.' '미안합니다' is only for your own faults.

'미안해요' is polite but less formal. Use '미안합니다' in business and '미안해요' with neighbors or acquaintances.

They might think you are being a bit too casual or 'cold.' It's better to use '죄송합니다.'

The most common response is '괜찮습니다' (It's okay) or '아니에요' (No, it's nothing).

In texting, people often use 'ㅈㅅ' (short for 죄송) or 'ㅁㅇ' (short for 미안), but only with very close friends.

This is due to a Korean pronunciation rule where 'ㅂ' sounds like 'ㅁ' when followed by 'ㄴ'.

Yes, '미안합니다' or '잠시만요' (Just a moment) are both used in crowded subways.

Yes, it is a standard expression in both North and South Korea, though intonation may differ.

It's better to say '죄송하지만 다시 말씀해 주시겠어요?' (I'm sorry, but could you say that again?).

Yes, but '미안' is very casual (Banmal). Only use it with people you are very close to.

相关表达

🔗

죄송합니다

similar

I am sorry (very formal)

🔗

실례합니다

similar

Excuse me

🔗

사과하다

specialized form

To apologize

🔗

유감입니다

contrast

I regret it / It's a pity

🔗

괜찮습니다

contrast

It is okay

在哪里用

🚶‍♂️

Bumping into a stranger

You: 앗, 미안합니다! (Ah, I'm sorry!)

Stranger: 아니요, 괜찮습니다. (No, it's okay.)

formal
⌚

Late for a meeting

You: 늦어서 정말 미안합니다. (I am truly sorry for being late.)

Colleague: 괜찮아요. 이제 시작합시다. (It's okay. Let's start now.)

formal
☕

Spilling a drink

You: 어머, 미안합니다! 제가 닦을게요. (Oh my, I'm sorry! I'll wipe it.)

Friend's Parent: 아니야, 내가 할게. 괜찮아. (No, I'll do it. It's fine.)

formal
📱

Wrong phone number

You: 죄송합니다... 아, 아니 미안합니다. 잘못 걸었습니다. (I'm sorry... ah, no, I'm sorry. I dialed the wrong number.)

Receiver: 네, 알겠습니다. (Yes, okay.)

formal
🤔

Forgetting a name

You: 성함을 잊어버려서 미안합니다. 다시 말씀해 주시겠어요? (I'm sorry for forgetting your name. Could you tell me again?)

Acquaintance: 괜찮습니다. 김철수입니다. (It's okay. I'm Kim Cheol-su.)

formal
🗣️

Interrupting a conversation

You: 말씀 중에 미안합니다. 질문이 하나 있습니다. (I'm sorry for interrupting. I have one question.)

Speaker: 네, 말씀하세요. (Yes, please speak.)

formal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think: 'Me an' ham need a...' apology because I ate the last slice of ham!

Visual Association

Imagine a person standing in a clean office, holding a broken coffee mug, giving a polite 20-degree bow to a coworker.

Rhyme

When you're wrong and in a jam, say 'Mian-ham-ni-da' to the man!

Story

You are at a Korean airport. You accidentally step on a businessman's shoe. You feel 'not at peace' (Mian). You look at him, bow slightly, and say 'Mian-ham-ni-da.' He nods, and harmony is restored.

Word Web

미안 (Sorry)죄송 (Guilt)사과 (Apology)실수 (Mistake)용서 (Forgiveness)부탁 (Request)실례 (Rudeness)

挑战

Try saying '미안합니다' while doing a 15-degree bow in front of a mirror. Focus on the 'm' sound at the end of 'ham' (it's actually 'n' due to sound change: 미안함니다).

In Other Languages

Japanese high

すみません (Sumimasen)

Japanese 'Sumimasen' is more versatile (thanks/excuse me), while 'Mianhamnida' is primarily an apology.

Spanish moderate

Lo siento

Spanish focuses on the speaker's feeling ('I feel it'), while Korean focuses on the speaker's lack of peace.

French moderate

Je suis désolé

French 'Pardon' is used for bumping into someone, where Korean would still use 'Mianhamnida'.

German partial

Entschuldigung

German is more functional/legalistic in its root, Korean is more psychological.

Arabic moderate

آسف (Asif)

Arabic 'Asif' is less tied to social hierarchy than the Korean system.

Chinese high

对不起 (Duìbuqǐ)

Chinese 'Duibuqi' is often stronger than 'Mianhamnida,' which can be quite casual.

English high

I'm sorry

English 'Sorry' can express empathy; Korean 'Mianhamnida' is strictly for one's own mistakes.

Portuguese moderate

Desculpe

Portuguese is more about the external social contract, Korean about internal peace.

Easily Confused

미안합니다. 对比 죄송합니다 (Joesong-hamnida)

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 younger, 미안합니다 is fine.

미안합니다. 对比 실례합니다 (Sillye-hamnida)

Both can mean 'Excuse me' in English.

Use 실례합니다 to get someone's attention. Use 미안합니다 if you stepped on their foot.

常见问题 (10)

No. For condolences, use '삼가 고인의 명복을 빕니다' or '상심이 크시겠습니다.' '미안합니다' is only for your own faults.

'미안해요' is polite but less formal. Use '미안합니다' in business and '미안해요' with neighbors or acquaintances.

They might think you are being a bit too casual or 'cold.' It's better to use '죄송합니다.'

The most common response is '괜찮습니다' (It's okay) or '아니에요' (No, it's nothing).

In texting, people often use 'ㅈㅅ' (short for 죄송) or 'ㅁㅇ' (short for 미안), but only with very close friends.

This is due to a Korean pronunciation rule where 'ㅂ' sounds like 'ㅁ' when followed by 'ㄴ'.

Yes, '미안합니다' or '잠시만요' (Just a moment) are both used in crowded subways.

Yes, it is a standard expression in both North and South Korea, though intonation may differ.

It's better to say '죄송하지만 다시 말씀해 주시겠어요?' (I'm sorry, but could you say that again?).

Yes, but '미안' is very casual (Banmal). Only use it with people you are very close to.

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