Direct answer
中文 · Mandarin Chinese with pinyin and simple pronunciation help.
对不起
Romanization
Duibuqi
Pronunciation
dway-boo-chee
Daily · Chinese
How to say “sorry” in Chinese
Learn how to say "sorry" in Chinese: 对不起 (Duibuqi), with pronunciation, usage notes, examples, and related phrases.
polite
When to use it
Use it in everyday conversation. These phrases are broadly useful for travel, messaging, study, and normal social moments. 对不起 is a clear apology in Mandarin Chinese. 不好意思 can sound lighter, like excuse me or sorry for a small interruption.
Examples
对不起。
Sorry.
真的很抱歉。
I am really sorry.
Common mistakes
Do not translate "sorry" word by word; use the full Chinese phrase as a unit.
Use romanization as a pronunciation hint, not as the normal written form.
Check the tone before using it: this version is marked polite.
FAQ
How do you say "sorry" in Chinese?
Say 对不起. The romanization is Duibuqi, and the pronunciation is dway-boo-chee.
Is 对不起 formal or casual?
This version is marked polite. 对不起 is a clear apology in Mandarin Chinese. 不好意思 can sound lighter, like excuse me or sorry for a small interruption.
When should I use "sorry" in Chinese?
Use it in everyday conversation. These phrases are broadly useful for travel, messaging, study, and normal social moments. 对不起 is a clear apology in Mandarin Chinese. 不好意思 can sound lighter, like excuse me or sorry for a small interruption.