Quick answer
“Sorry” in Chinese is 对不起 (duìbuqǐ)
How to Say “Sorry” in Chinese
The everyday way to say “sorry” in Chinese is 对不起 (duìbuqǐ). Use it for real apologies; for small bumps, interrupting, or “excuse me,” 不好意思 (bù hǎo yìsi) is more natural, and 抱歉 (bàoqiàn) sounds a bit more formal.
Common phrases
对不起，我错了不好意思，打扰一下抱歉，给您添麻烦了真的对不起非常抱歉
How to use it
- 对不起 is a real apology. If you use it for tiny things like brushing past someone or a light bump, it can sound too strong — 不好意思 is the natural lighter option.
- In mainland China, 不好意思 doubles as “excuse me” and covers minor mistakes. It literally means “can’t be at ease,” so it fits situations where you feel a little awkward but not deeply guilty.
- For written or formal apologies — to a boss, a client, or in an email — 抱歉 or 非常抱歉 is the safer choice.
- When someone says 对不起, the usual replies are 没关系 (méi guānxi, “it doesn’t matter”) or 没事 (méi shì, “no worries”).
- English “Sorry?” to ask someone to repeat is not 对不起 in Chinese. Say 什么？(shénme?) or 你说什么？(nǐ shuō shénme?) instead.
Example sentences
对不起，我真的不是故意的。
Duìbuqǐ, wǒ zhēn de bú shì gùyì de.
Sorry, I really didn't mean it.
The standard sincere apology. 对不起 is the go-to phrase when you have actually done something wrong.
不好意思，能借过一下吗？
Bù hǎo yìsi, néng jiè guò yíxià ma?
Sorry, could I get past you?
Use 不好意思 for small everyday “sorry/excuse me” moments, like squeezing past someone.
抱歉，让您久等了。
Bàoqiàn, ràng nín jiǔ děng le.
Sorry to have kept you waiting.
A polite, formal apology. 您 (nín) makes it respectful to a customer or an older person.
对不起，我刚才说错话了。
Duìbuqǐ, wǒ gāngcái shuō cuò huà le.
Sorry, I misspoke just now.
You can put what you’re sorry for right after 对不起 to make the apology specific.
不小心踩到你了，不好意思！
Bù xiǎoxīn cǎi dào nǐ le, bù hǎo yìsi!
Oops, sorry — I stepped on your foot!
For tiny accidents, 不好意思 is often enough; 对不起 may feel too heavy.
Common mistakes
| Incorrect | Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 对不起 |
非常对不起，我迟到了。 | In Chinese, intensifiers like 非常 (fēicháng) come before the phrase, not after it — following English word order sounds wrong. |
| Unnatural | Natural | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 不好意思，我没听见。你可以再说吗？ | 对不起 is a full apology; when you just didn’t hear someone, 不好意思 is the natural way to say “sorry, what was that?” | |
| 对不起，我迟到了。 | 我对不起你 means “I’ve let you down” or “I wronged you” — much stronger than apologizing for being late. |
FAQ
- How do you say sorry in Chinese?The most common way is 对不起 (duìbuqǐ). For smaller, everyday apologies — like bumping into someone or interrupting — Chinese speakers usually say 不好意思 (bù hǎo yìsi) instead. 抱歉 (bàoqiàn) is a more formal variant.
- What is the difference between 对不起 and 不好意思?对不起 is a direct “I apologize” and is used for real mistakes or when you have caused trouble. 不好意思 literally means “can’t be at ease” and works for light apologies, polite interruptions, and “excuse me.” For a serious apology, using only 不好意思 can sound too casual.
- How do you reply when someone says sorry in Chinese?You can reply with 没关系 (méi guānxi, “it doesn’t matter”) or the more casual 没事 (méi shì, “no worries”). If it was really nothing, many people just say 没事儿 (méi shìr) with a friendly tone.
- Can I say 对不起 to get someone’s attention?No, 对不起 doesn’t mean “excuse me” in that sense. Use 不好意思 (bù hǎo yìsi) or 劳驾 (láojià) to get someone’s attention politely.