Sorry in Korean: 미안해요
미안해요 (mianhaeyo) is how you say sorry in Korean. See every form from casual to formal, hear it, build it letter by letter and trace each block stroke by stroke.
How do you say sorry in Korean?
Sorry in Korean is 미안해요 (mianhaeyo) in polite speech and 미안해 with close friends. For a serious or formal apology, say 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida), the form used with customers, bosses and elders.
Sorry in Korean 미안해요: sound, letters and strokes
미안해요 Sorry in KoreanKorean phrase
미안해요 is read mianhaeyo; 4 forms from casual to formal.
Casual, polite and formal sorry in Korean
Formal and deeply apologetic: customers, bosses, elders.
Formal but lighter than 죄송합니다.
Polite: friends' parents, coworkers, acquaintances.
Casual: close friends and younger family.
미안해요 is the polite sorry for everyday slips: being late, bumping into someone, turning down an invitation. For a serious apology or to someone above you, 죄송합니다 is expected.
Which one to use
Choose by the listener: 죄송합니다 upward, 미안해요 sideways, 미안해 to close friends. Shop staff usually say 죄송합니다 to customers.
How to pronounce 미안해요
미안해요Sound rule
Read it as mi-an-hae-yo (mianhaeyo). The ㄴ of 안 and the ㅎ of 해 blend, so fast speech sounds like 미아내요.
미안해요 letter by letter
How to write 미안해요 stroke by stroke
Write 미안해요 one block at a time: 미, 안, 해, 요. Inside every block go from the first consonant to the vowel and then the final consonant, following the numbered strokes.
Trace mi 미 with a finger, mouse or pen: start at the numbered dot, follow the dotted arrow, and press Clear to try again.
Print style 정자체
Follow the numbers and dotted arrows
Handwriting 필기체
Same stroke order as print style
Trace an 안 with a finger, mouse or pen: start at the numbered dot, follow the dotted arrow, and press Clear to try again.
Print style 정자체
Follow the numbers and dotted arrows
Handwriting 필기체
Same stroke order as print style
Trace hae 해 with a finger, mouse or pen: start at the numbered dot, follow the dotted arrow, and press Clear to try again.
Print style 정자체
Follow the numbers and dotted arrows
Handwriting 필기체
Same stroke order as print style
Trace yo 요 with a finger, mouse or pen: start at the numbered dot, follow the dotted arrow, and press Clear to try again.
Print style 정자체
Follow the numbers and dotted arrows
Handwriting 필기체
Same stroke order as print style
When to say 미안해요
미안해요 in example sentences
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 늦어서 미안해요. | Sorry I am late. |
| 정말 죄송합니다. | I am truly sorry. |
| 미안해, 내가 잘못했어. | Sorry, it was my fault. |
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 내일 영화 보러 갈래요? / 미안해요. 요즘 시험 기간이라 공부해야 돼서 같이 영화 보러 가기는 힘들겠어요. | A: Do you want to see a movie tomorrow? / B: Sorry. It's exam period these days, so I have to study and can't go. |
미안해요 in a short conversation
| Who | Korean | English |
|---|---|---|
| A | 죄송합니다. 괜찮으세요? | I am sorry. Are you all right? |
| B | 네, 괜찮아요. | Yes, I am fine. |
More ways to say sorry in Korean
미안해요 compared with other apologies
| Korean | Meaning | When you use it |
|---|---|---|
| 미안해 | sorry | Close friends and younger family. |
| 미안해요 | I’m sorry | Everyday polite apology. |
| 죄송합니다 | I apologise | Customers, bosses, elders, serious mistakes. |
| 잘못했어요 | it was my fault | Admitting you did something wrong. |
A common mistake with 미안해요
Learners use 미안해요 with a teacher or a boss. There, use 죄송합니다.
How to practice
Practise the apology ladder aloud from most to least formal, then write each form once.
미안해요 writing worksheet (free printable)
Worksheet · Level 3 · Phrases
Korean phrase tracing worksheet: 미안해요 (sorry)
One A4 page for 미안해요: trace its 4 blocks (18 strokes), write other ways to say it, read three sentences and find 미.
- 1 page
- A4 · US Letter
- PDF · 99 KB
- Free · no sign-up
Want more? See all korean phrases
Worksheet information
- How to use
- Say 미안해요 out loud, trace each block from dark to faint, then write it on the line.
Use of the worksheet:
© KoreanSheets.com · Free to print and share at home and in class. No commercial use — don’t sell it, add it to paid products or post it on other websites. The QR code on the sheet opens this page to listen and trace on screen.
What to learn next
Sorry in Korean — FAQ
How do you say sorry in Korean?
미안해요 (mianhaeyo) is the polite everyday sorry; 죄송합니다 is the stronger, more formal apology.
What is the difference between 미안해요 and 죄송합니다?
죄송합니다 is more respectful and serious; use it with elders, bosses and customers. 미안해요 fits equals.
How do you say I am sorry in Korean?
미안해요 for everyday apologies, 죄송합니다 for formal or serious ones. Korean does not need a separate word for "I am".
How do you say excuse me in Korean?
저기요 to get attention, 실례합니다 to pass by or interrupt politely. 죄송합니다 works when you bump into someone.
How do you reply to an apology in Korean?
괜찮아요 (it is okay). With friends, 괜찮아.
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