As a linguistics expert with a deep understanding of both English and Korean languages, I'm here to provide you with accurate and helpful information regarding the Korean word for "sorry."

In Korean, expressing an apology can be done in various ways, depending on the level of formality, the relationship between the speaker and the person being apologized to, and the context of the situation. The most common and straightforward way to say "sorry" in Korean is "미안해" (mi-an-hae). This phrase is used in casual and informal settings, and it is equivalent to saying "I'm sorry" or "I apologize" in English.

However, it's important to note that in Korean culture, the speaker's intention to apologize is often implicit and understood by the listener. Therefore, the phrase "I'm sorry" is often shortened to just "sorry" or "미안해." This is a reflection of the Korean language's tendency to omit subjects when the context makes it clear who is performing the action.

In more formal or respectful situations, Koreans might use "죄송합니다" (jwe-song-ham-ni-da), which is a more polite and formal way to say "I'm sorry" or "I apologize." This phrase is often used when speaking to someone older or in a higher position, or when the situation calls for a more formal apology.

Another phrase that can be used to express an apology is "죄송해요" (jwe-song-hae-yo), which is a polite but less formal version of "죄송합니다." This phrase is still respectful but can be used in situations where the level of formality is not as high.

In addition to these phrases, there are other ways to express regret or an apology in Korean, such as "실례합니다" (sil-lye-ham-ni-da), which is a formal way to say "Excuse me" or "I'm sorry for the inconvenience." This phrase might be used when you are interrupting someone or when you have caused a minor inconvenience.

It's also worth mentioning that in Korean, the act of apologizing can be accompanied by a bow, especially in more formal or traditional settings. The depth of the bow can indicate the level of sincerity and the seriousness of the apology.

In conclusion, the Korean word for "sorry" can be expressed in different ways, and the choice of phrase depends on the context and the relationship between the speaker and the person being apologized to. Understanding these nuances can help in effectively communicating an apology in Korean.

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????? (mianhamnida) Although the title of this article is 'how to say 'I'm sorry' in Korean', when speaking, the 'I' part is omitted. In Korean, it is obvious that you are the person who is sorry. Therefore, you just need to say the word for 'sorry'.Oct 28, 2015read more >>