How to Say I'm Sorry in Korean
Learn how to say I'm sorry in Korean. 'Mianhae' is casual, 'Joesonghamnida' is formal. Hangul, pronunciation, and how Korean politeness levels change the apology.
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Quick answer
To say I'm sorry in Korean, use 'Mianhae' (미안해, mee-AH-neh) casually with friends, or 'Joesonghamnida' (죄송합니다, jweh-song-HAM-nee-da) formally with strangers and elders. A middle-polite option is 'Mianhaeyo' (미안해요). Korean apologies change form based on who you're speaking to, so choosing the right politeness level matters as much as the word itself.
미안해
/mee-AH-neh/ — Korean
How to Say I’m Sorry in Korean
Apologizing in Korean is less about a single word and more about choosing the right politeness level for the person you are addressing. Korean is a hierarchical language, so the same apology shifts form depending on whether you are talking to a close friend or a stranger. Get the level right and your apology lands sincerely.
The Two Main Phrases
| Korean | Romanization | Pronunciation | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| 미안해 | Mianhae | mee-AH-neh | Casual (friends, younger) |
| 미안해요 | Mianhaeyo | mee-AH-neh-yo | Polite (everyday) |
| 죄송합니다 | Joesonghamnida | jweh-song-HAM-nee-da | Formal (elders, strangers) |
| 죄송해요 | Joesonghaeyo | jweh-song-HEH-yo | Polite-formal |
- Mianhae (미안해) is the casual, everyday “sorry” for close friends, siblings, and people younger than you.
- Joesonghamnida (죄송합니다) is the formal, humble apology for strangers, elders, teachers, bosses, and customers.
- Mianhaeyo and Joesonghaeyo add the polite -yo ending, sitting comfortably in between.
Mianhada vs. Joesonghada: A Difference in Humility
The two phrases come from different verbs with slightly different feeling:
- 미안하다 (mianhada) — to feel sorry, regretful, sorry to trouble someone.
- 죄송하다 (joesonghada) — a more humble, self-lowering “I am at fault / I feel guilty.”
So Joesonghamnida is not just a more formal version of Mianhae — it carries a deeper note of humility, which is part of why it suits situations where you owe respect.
Pronunciation Guide
| Phrase | Break it down |
|---|---|
| 미안해 (Mianhae) | mee + AH + neh |
| 죄송합니다 (Joesonghamnida) | jweh + song + HAM + nee + da |
Keep the syllables even and gentle. In Joesonghamnida, the “joe” sounds like “jweh,” and the final “-mnida” formal ending appears in many polite Korean phrases (such as gamsahamnida, thank you).
Intensifying Your Apology
| Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 정말 미안해 (Jeongmal mianhae) | I’m really sorry (casual) |
| 진짜 미안해 (Jinjja mianhae) | I’m so sorry (very casual) |
| 정말 죄송합니다 (Jeongmal joesonghamnida) | I’m truly sorry (formal) |
| 너무 미안해 (Neomu mianhae) | I’m so sorry |
Adding 정말 (jeongmal, really) or 진짜 (jinjja, truly) deepens the apology in any register.
Excuse Me vs. Sorry
Korean also has phrases closer to “excuse me”:
- 실례합니다 (Sillyehamnida) — Excuse me / pardon me (formal, getting attention or passing by).
- 저기요 (Jeogiyo) — Excuse me / over here (calling a server, getting attention).
These are not apologies for wrongdoing — use Mianhae / Joesonghamnida when you have actually done something wrong.
Useful Sentences
- 늦어서 미안해. (Neujeoseo mianhae.) — Sorry I’m late. (casual)
- 정말 죄송합니다. (Jeongmal joesonghamnida.) — I’m truly sorry. (formal)
- 제 잘못이에요. (Je jalmosieyo.) — It’s my fault.
- 용서해 주세요. (Yongseohae juseyo.) — Please forgive me.
Quick Recap
Say Mianhae (mee-AH-neh) to apologize casually to friends, and Joesonghamnida (jweh-song-HAM-nee-da) to apologize formally to elders and strangers. Add -yo for everyday politeness, and jeongmal or jinjja to show you really mean it. In Korean, matching the politeness level to the person is the heart of a good apology.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Mianhae and Joesonghamnida?
'Mianhae' (미안해) is the casual form, used with close friends, younger people, and family. 'Joesonghamnida' (죄송합니다) is the formal/humble form, used with strangers, elders, customers, and superiors. 'Mianhaeyo' (미안해요) sits in between — polite but not as formal as Joesonghamnida. Korean requires matching the apology to your relationship.
How do you pronounce Mianhae and Joesonghamnida?
'Mianhae' (미안해) is mee-AH-neh, three light syllables. 'Joesonghamnida' (죄송합니다) is jweh-song-HAM-nee-da: 'joe' like 'jweh,' then 'song,' then 'ham-ni-da.' The 'h' in 'hamnida' blends softly. Korean syllables are evenly timed without heavy English-style stress.
When should I use Joesonghamnida instead of Mianhae?
Use 'Joesonghamnida' with anyone you should show respect to: strangers, elders, teachers, bosses, customers, or in any formal or public situation. Use 'Mianhae' only with close friends or people younger than you. Using casual 'Mianhae' with an elder or stranger can sound rude in Korean culture.
What does Mianhae literally mean?
'Mianhae' comes from 'mianhada' (미안하다), meaning 'to feel sorry / regretful / sorry to bother.' 'Joesonghamnida' comes from 'joesonghada' (죄송하다), which is more humble and carries a stronger sense of 'I'm at fault / I feel guilty.' Joesonghamnida expresses deeper humility than Mianhae.
How do you say I'm really sorry in Korean?
'Jeongmal mianhae' (정말 미안해) — I'm really sorry (casual). 'Jeongmal joesonghamnida' (정말 죄송합니다) — I'm truly sorry (formal). 'Jinjja mianhae' (진짜 미안해) is a very casual 'I'm so sorry.' Adding 'jeongmal' (really) or 'jinjja' (truly/really) intensifies any apology.