How to Say Sorry in Korean
Learn how to say sorry in Korean. 'Mianhae' (미안해) is casual; 'Joesonghamnida' (죄송합니다) is the formal apology. Pronunciation guide + when to use each apology.
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Quick answer
To say sorry in Korean, 'Mianhae' (미안해, mee-an-hae) is casual, 'Mianhaeyo' (미안해요) is polite, and 'Joesonghamnida' (죄송합니다, jwe-song-ham-ni-da) is the formal apology. Use 'Mianhae' with close friends, and 'Joesonghamnida' with strangers, elders, or in formal/serious situations. 'Joesonghamnida' is the safer, more respectful choice with people you don't know.
미안해
/mee-an-hae/ — Korean
How to Say Sorry in Korean
Apologizing well in Korean means matching the apology to the relationship and the seriousness. The two key words are the casual Mianhae and the formal Joesonghamnida.
The Two Main Apologies
| Korean | Romanization | Use |
|---|---|---|
| 미안해 | Mianhae | Casual (close friends, small slips) |
| 죄송합니다 | Joesonghamnida | Formal (strangers, elders, serious) |
Copy the Phrase
The Korean word for “sorry” is 미안해 (Mianhae, mee-an-hae) casually — or 죄송합니다 (Joesonghamnida) formally.
Mianhae vs. Joesonghamnida
The key distinction:
- Mianhae / Mianhaeyo (미안해/미안해요) — native Korean roots; casual to polite. For close friends and everyday minor apologies.
- Joesonghamnida (죄송합니다) — more formal and humble (Sino-Korean roots). For strangers, elders, business, or serious apologies.
Rule of thumb: Use Joesonghamnida with anyone you should respect or for serious matters; Mianhae for close friends and small slips. With people you don’t know, Joesonghamnida is the safer, more respectful choice.
The Full Apology Ladder
| Korean | Romanization | Level |
|---|---|---|
| 미안해 | Mianhae | Casual (friends) |
| 미안해요 | Mianhaeyo | Polite |
| 죄송해요 | Joesonghaeyo | Polite-formal |
| 죄송합니다 | Joesonghamnida | Formal |
| 정말 죄송합니다 | Jeongmal joesonghamnida | ”I’m truly sorry” (very formal/serious) |
The longer and more Sino-Korean the phrase, the more formal and serious the apology.
Sorry vs. Excuse Me
Don’t confuse apologizing with getting attention:
| Korean | Romanization | Use |
|---|---|---|
| 저기요 | Jeogiyo | Excuse me (calling a server, getting attention) |
| 실례합니다 | Sillyehamnida | Excuse me (polite — passing through, interrupting) |
| 잠깐만요 | Jamkkanmanyo | Just a moment / excuse me |
These are for getting attention or being polite — not for actual apologies.
Responding to an Apology
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 괜찮아요 | Gwaenchanayo | It’s okay (polite) |
| 괜찮아 | Gwaenchana | It’s okay (casual) |
| 아니에요 | Anieyo | It’s nothing / don’t worry |
Gwaenchanayo is the standard warm “it’s okay / no worries.”
Pronunciation
- Mianhae — mee-ahn-heh
- Mianhaeyo — mee-ahn-heh-yo
- Joesonghamnida — jwe-song-ham-ni-da
- Jeogiyo — juh-gee-yo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Mianhae and Joesonghamnida?
Politeness and word origin. 'Mianhae' (미안해) / 'Mianhaeyo' (미안해요) comes from native Korean roots — casual to polite, used with friends and in everyday minor apologies. 'Joesonghamnida' (죄송합니다) is more formal and humble (Sino-Korean roots) — used with strangers, elders, in business, or for serious apologies. Rule of thumb: 'Joesonghamnida' for anyone you should respect or for serious matters; 'Mianhae' for close friends and small slips.
How do you pronounce Joesonghamnida?
'Joesonghamnida' is pronounced jwe-song-ham-ni-da (죄송합니다). Five syllables. 'Joe' = jwe (a 'jw' glide), 'song' = song, 'ham-ni-da' = the formal verb ending. 'Mianhae' is mee-an-hae (mee-ahn-heh). Both flow quickly with practice; 'Joesonghamnida' is longer but is the standard formal apology.
What are the levels of apology in Korean?
From casual to formal: 'Mianhae' (미안해 — sorry, casual, close friends); 'Mianhaeyo' (미안해요 — sorry, polite); 'Joesonghaeyo' (죄송해요 — sorry, polite-formal); 'Joesonghamnida' (죄송합니다 — formal apology); 'Jeongmal joesonghamnida' (정말 죄송합니다 — I'm truly sorry, very formal/serious). The longer and more Sino-Korean the phrase, the more formal and serious the apology.
How do you say 'excuse me' in Korean?
To get attention or pass by: 'Jeogiyo' (저기요 — excuse me, to call a server or get attention), 'Sillyehamnida' (실례합니다 — excuse me, polite/formal, e.g. passing through or interrupting). 'Jamkkanmanyo' (잠깐만요 — just a moment / excuse me). These differ from apologizing — 'Jeogiyo' and 'Sillyehamnida' are for getting attention or being polite, while 'Mianhae/Joesonghamnida' are for actual apologies.
How do you say 'it's okay' in response to sorry in Korean?
Common responses to an apology: 'Gwaenchanayo' (괜찮아요 — it's okay, polite), 'Gwaenchana' (괜찮아 — it's okay, casual), 'Anieyo' (아니에요 — it's nothing / don't worry about it). 'Gwaenchanayo' is the standard, warm 'it's okay / no worries' — the same versatile word used to mean 'I'm fine' and 'no thanks.'