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How to say “I'm sorry” in Chinese

From oops to on your knees

The mildest way to say “I'm sorry” in Chinese is 不好意思 (bù hǎo yì si), “my bad, excuse me”. The strongest is 跪搓衣板 (guì cuō yī bǎn), “beg forgiveness (lit. kneel on the washboard)”. Here are all 5, ranked mild to strong, with pinyin and when to use each one.

  1. 不好意思

    bù hǎo yì si

    my bad, excuse me

    You bumped into someone

    Heard in real Chinese videos

  2. 对不起

    duì bu qǐ

    sorry

    The real apology

    Heard in real Chinese videos

  3. 抱歉

    bào qiàn

    I apologize

    Formal. Emails and bosses

    Heard in real Chinese videos

  4. 我错了

    wǒ cuò le

    I was wrong

    The three words every partner wants

    Heard in real Chinese videos

  5. 跪搓衣板

    guì cuō yī bǎn

    beg forgiveness (lit. kneel on the washboard)

    You forgot the anniversary

Quick answers

How do you say “I'm sorry” in Chinese?
The mildest way to say “I'm sorry” in Chinese is 不好意思 (bù hǎo yì si), “my bad, excuse me”. The strongest is 跪搓衣板 (guì cuō yī bǎn), “beg forgiveness (lit. kneel on the washboard)”. Here are all 5, ranked mild to strong, with pinyin and when to use each one.
What is the mildest way to say “I'm sorry” in Chinese?
不好意思 (bù hǎo yì si): my bad, excuse me. You bumped into someone.
What is the strongest way to say “I'm sorry” in Chinese?
跪搓衣板 (guì cuō yī bǎn): beg forgiveness (lit. kneel on the washboard). You forgot the anniversary.

More ways to say it in Chinese

All 47 phrases: feelings, everyday, love and dating, compliments, money, slang, insults, swear words.