Speaking • Emotions & Reactions
Learn Speaking Mandarin Chinese: Expressing Apology and Forgiveness in Chinese
Apologising well in Chinese requires more than knowing 对不起. Mandarin has a spectrum of apologies ranging from a light 不好意思 (excuse me) to a formal and heartfelt 请原谅我 (please forgive me). Equally important are the responses — how to gracefully accept an apology and put someone at ease.
Apologising
| 汉字 Chinese | 拼音 Pīnyīn | English |
|---|---|---|
对不起 | duìbuqǐ | I'm sorry (standard apology) |
很抱歉 | hěn bàoqiàn | I'm very sorry (more formal) |
不好意思 | bùhǎo yìsi | Excuse me / I'm embarrassed (mild apology; also used to get attention) |
请原谅我 | qǐng yuánliàng wǒ | Please forgive me |
我不是故意的 | wǒ bú shì gùyì de | I didn't mean to / It was unintentional |
都是我的错 | dōu shì wǒ de cuò | It's all my fault |
是我不好 | shì wǒ bùhǎo | It was my fault (colloquial) |
Accepting Apologies (Forgiving)
| 汉字 Chinese | 拼音 Pīnyīn | English |
|---|---|---|
没关系 | méi guānxi | It's okay / No problem / Never mind |
没事 | méi shì | It's nothing / No big deal |
没事儿 | méi shìr | It's nothing (Beijing dialect — 儿 suffix added) |
没有关系 | méiyǒu guānxi | It doesn't matter (fuller, more emphatic form) |
不要紧 | bú yàojǐn | It doesn't matter |
算了 | suàn le | Forget it / Let it go |
下次注意就好了 | xià cì zhùyì jiù hǎo le | Just be careful next time |
Usage Notes
Use 对不起 for most everyday situations where you have genuinely done something wrong — bumping into someone, being late, making a mistake. It is sincere but not dramatic.
不好意思 is softer and more versatile. Use it when getting someone's attention ("excuse me"), for minor inconveniences, or to preface a request politely. It does not carry the weight of a full apology.
请原谅我 is quite formal and emotionally weighted. Reserve it for situations where you have genuinely hurt someone or done something significant. Using it for small matters will seem theatrical.
算了 (suàn le) means "forget it" or "let it go". It can be used warmly ("don't worry about it") or with mild frustration ("just drop it"). Tone of voice makes all the difference.