对不起 duìbuqǐ sorry
sorry; excuse me
How to remember 对不起: 对 correct + 不 not + 起 rise up = sorry.
Characters
How it is used
- Apology 'sorry / excuse me' - 对不起，我来晚了 (duìbuqǐ, wǒ lái wǎn le) sorry I'm late.
- Stronger, more genuine apology than 不好意思 (bùhǎoyìsi), which is lighter 'excuse me / my bad'.
- The reply is 没关系 (never mind); literally it's 'can't face you' from shame.
Example sentences
- 对不起。 Duìbùqǐ.Excuse me.
- 对不起让你失望了。 Duìbuqǐ ràng nǐ shīwàng le.I'm sorry to have disappointed you.
- 对不起，实在爱莫能助！ Duìbuqǐ, shízài àimònéngzhùI’m sorry, I’d love to help but my hands are tied.