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How to Apologize in English: Phrases for Saying Sorry

Knowing how to say sorry, and how much to say, helps you fix small problems fast. These are the apology phrases English speakers really use, from casual to formal.

33 phrases · By LearnLingo Team · Updated

Tap to hear a phrase. Levels follow the CEFR scale. American English is the default; British variants are noted.

Quick, everyday apologies

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

Sorry!

A1

Used for tiny accidents, like bumping into someone.

Pardon!
  • That's OK.
  • No worries.

Excuse me.

A1

Use before you interrupt or pass someone. Use "Sorry" after a small accident (Americans also say "Excuse me" here).

Afedersiniz.
  • Sure, go ahead.

Oops, my bad.

A2

Very informal, mostly American. Fine with friends, not in work emails.

Eyvah, benim hatam.
  • Ha, no big deal.

Sorry, I didn't see you there.

A2
Pardon, seni orada görmedim.
  • It's fine, don't worry.

Sorry, I didn't catch that.

A2

A polite way to ask someone to repeat. UK: "Sorry?" or "Pardon?" alone also works.

Pardon, tam anlayamadım.
  • I said, the meeting is at three.

Sorry I'm late.

A1
Geç kaldığım için özür dilerim.
  • That's OK, we just started.
  • What happened?

Sorry to bother you.

A2
Rahatsız ettiğim için kusura bakmayın.
  • No bother at all. How can I help?

Sorry, wrong number.

A2
Pardon, yanlış numara.
  • No problem. Bye.

Saying sorry for a real mistake

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

I'm so sorry.

A1
Çok özür dilerim.
  • It's OK, really.
  • What happened?

I'm really sorry about that.

A2
Bunun için gerçekten özür dilerim.
  • Don't worry about it.

It was my fault.

A2
Benim hatamdı.
  • It happens.
  • Let's just fix it.

I didn't mean to.

A2

Say what you didn't mean: "I didn't mean to upset you."

İstemeden oldu.
  • I know you didn't.

I feel terrible about this.

B1
Bu konuda kendimi çok kötü hissediyorum.
  • Please don't. It's not a big deal.

I shouldn't have said that.

B1
Bunu söylememeliydim.
  • Thanks for saying that.
  • Yeah, it hurt a bit.

It won't happen again.

A2
Bir daha olmayacak.
  • OK, thanks.
  • I hope not.

How can I make it up to you?

B1

"Make it up to someone" means to do something nice to fix a mistake.

Bunu sana nasıl telafi edebilirim?
  • You can buy me lunch.
  • You don't have to.

Formal and written apologies

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

I apologize for the delay.

B1

UK spelling: apologise. Common in emails.

Gecikme için özür dilerim.
  • Thank you for letting me know.

Please accept my apologies.

B1
Lütfen özürlerimi kabul edin.
  • Apology accepted.

I'm sorry for any inconvenience.

B1

Typical in customer service. Some find it a bit cold, so add a fix or next step.

Yaşanan aksaklık için özür dilerim.
  • When will it be fixed?

We sincerely apologize for the error.

B2
Hata için içtenlikle özür dileriz.
  • I appreciate that.

I take full responsibility.

B2
Tüm sorumluluğu üstleniyorum.
  • Thank you for being honest.

Sorry for the late reply.

A2

A short, friendly opener for emails and messages.

Geç cevap verdiğim için kusura bakmayın.
  • No worries at all.

Saying sorry for bad news

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

I'm sorry to hear that.

A2

Here "sorry" shows sympathy, not guilt.

Bunu duyduğuma üzüldüm.
  • Thanks. It's been a hard week.

I'm sorry for your loss.

B1

The standard phrase when someone has died.

Başınız sağ olsun.
  • Thank you. That means a lot.

That's awful. I'm so sorry.

A2
Bu çok kötü. Çok üzgünüm.
  • Thanks for listening.

I'm afraid I can't come.

B1

"I'm afraid" softens bad news. It does not mean fear here.

Maalesef gelemeyeceğim.
  • That's a shame. Maybe next time.

Accepting an apology

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

That's OK.

A1
Sorun değil.
  • Thanks for understanding.

Don't worry about it.

A2
Hiç dert etme.
  • Thanks, I feel better now.

No worries.

A2

Originally Australian, now common in the UK and US.

Dert etme.
  • Cheers.

It's not a big deal.

A2
Büyütülecek bir şey değil.
  • Still, I'm sorry.

Apology accepted.

B1

Can sound a little cold. "It's fine, really" feels warmer.

Özrün kabul edildi.
  • Thank you.

These things happen.

B1
Böyle şeyler olur.
  • Thanks for being so nice about it.

I appreciate the apology.

B2
Özür dilediğin için teşekkür ederim.
  • I meant it.

Sample dialogues

Late for a meeting with a friend

Can
Hey! Sorry I'm late. The bus was full and I had to wait for the next one.
Selam! Geç kaldığım için özür dilerim. Otobüs doluydu, bir sonrakini beklemek zorunda kaldım.
Jenny
Don't worry about it. I just got here too.
Hiç dert etme. Ben de yeni geldim.
Can
Really? I feel terrible. I should have left earlier.
Gerçekten mi? Kendimi çok kötü hissediyorum. Daha erken çıkmalıydım.
Jenny
It's not a big deal. These things happen.
Büyütülecek bir şey değil. Böyle şeyler olur.
Can
Let me make it up to you. The coffee is on me.
Bunu telafi edeyim. Kahveler benden.
Jenny
Well, I won't say no to that!
Eh, buna hayır demem!

A problem with an order

Customer
Hello, I ordered a blue sweater, but you sent a red one.
Merhaba, mavi bir kazak sipariş ettim ama kırmızı gönderdiniz.
Agent
I'm really sorry about that. Can I have your order number, please?
Bunun için gerçekten özür dilerim. Sipariş numaranızı alabilir miyim lütfen?
Customer
Sure, it's 48271.
Tabii, 48271.
Agent
Thank you. I see the problem. It was our mistake.
Teşekkürler. Sorunu görüyorum. Bizim hatamız.
Agent
We'll send the blue one today. Please accept our apologies.
Mavisini bugün göndereceğiz. Lütfen özürlerimizi kabul edin.
Customer
OK, thank you. What should I do with the red one?
Tamam, teşekkürler. Kırmızıyı ne yapayım?
Agent
You can return it for free. I'm sorry for any inconvenience.
Ücretsiz iade edebilirsiniz. Yaşanan aksaklık için özür dilerim.
Customer
No problem. Thanks for your help.
Sorun değil. Yardımınız için teşekkürler.

Common mistakes Turkish speakers make

Sorry for I am late.

Sorry I'm late. / Sorry for being late.

Use "sorry" + a clause, or "sorry for" + -ing. Don't put "for" before a full clause.

I apologize you.

I apologize to you. / I'm sorry.

"Apologize" needs "to" before the person and "for" before the reason.

Excuse me, I broke your cup.

I'm so sorry, I broke your cup.

"Excuse me" is for getting attention or passing. After a mistake, use "sorry."

Sorry, I am disturbing you.

Sorry to bother you.

This copies "Rahatsız ediyorum" word for word. The set English phrase is "Sorry to bother you" or "Sorry to interrupt."

I'm sorry, it was not my mean.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean it.

"Mean" is a verb here. Say "I didn't mean it" or "I didn't mean to."

Quick quiz

Eight questions to check what you remember. Pick an answer to see if it is right.

  1. 1. You bump into someone on the street. What do you say?

  2. 2. Which sentence is correct?

  3. 3. Your friend tells you her dog died. What do you say?

  4. 4. What does "make it up to you" mean?

  5. 5. Which reply accepts an apology warmly?

  6. 6. In "I'm afraid I can't come," "I'm afraid" means:

  7. 7. Which is best to start a work email you answer late?

  8. 8. Which is the most formal apology?

0 of 8 answered

Show all answers
  1. Sorry!
  2. I apologize for the delay.
  3. I'm so sorry to hear that.
  4. Do something nice to fix a mistake
  5. Don't worry about it.
  6. Unfortunately
  7. Sorry for the late reply.
  8. We sincerely apologize for the error.

See what the A2 English course covers, or test your level first.

People also ask

What is the difference between "sorry" and "excuse me"?+

"Excuse me" usually comes before something, like interrupting or passing someone. "Sorry" usually comes after a mistake. In British English, "Sorry?" can also mean "Can you repeat that?"

Is "I apologize" more formal than "I'm sorry"?+

Yes. "I apologize" is common in business emails and customer service. With friends and family, "I'm sorry" sounds more natural and sincere.

How do I say "Başınız sağ olsun" in English?+

The usual phrase is "I'm sorry for your loss." You can also say "My condolences," which is more formal.

Do British people really say sorry more often?+

Many people think so, and "sorry" is very common in everyday British speech, even when nothing is really wrong. Americans also say it often, but may use "Excuse me" in some of the same moments.

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