Bonus Phrases: Saying Sorry In Special Situations
So far, Ive talked about some of the most common situations where we need to apologize.
Now that weve covered the basics of saying sorry, lets look at some more advanced phrases that native speakers might use. These are some phrases you might use in very informal situations , or very formal situations .
How To Say Im Sorry In 10 Different Languages
Often the best way to end a fight is to admit you were wrong and apologize. If apologizing in English doesnt work, or if youre abroad, learn how to say sorry in one of these languages. Heres how to say Im sorry in 10 different languages. For the phrases that have a play button, you can click it to hear them pronounced by a native speaker.
1. Spanish:Lo siento2. French:Je suis désolé3. German:Es tut mir leid4. Italian:Mi dispiace6. Russian: 7. Indonesian:Maaf9. Mandarin Chinese: 10. Arabic:
However, learning these simple translations will only get you so far. For one thing, Americans tend to apologize a lot, and this doesnt always come across as sincere in other languages and cultures. And often, other languages have different ways to apologize depending on the nuances of the specific situation. Weve put together guides for how to say sorry in a few of our most popular target languages, so if youre ready to put in the work to make things right, check out the articles linked below.
Saying Sorry When Youve Done Something Wrong
Very often, we make major mistakes or we mess up.
Some of these mistakes might be deliberatethat is, done on purpose. Some mistakes could be accidents or misunderstandings.
But either way, if the mistake was your fault, you should own up to it and apologize.
Im so sorry. I was incorrect.
I apologize for my mistake. I should have been paying more attention.
That was wrong of me. I promise I will never do it again.
I messed up and Im sorry. I will try to do better next time.
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Common Vocabulary Words For Saying Sorry
Sometimes, just saying sorry isnt enough.
There are specific words and phrases we can use to express or explain our feelings.
Ill be using them in this post, so first lets learn some of the most important words related to saying sorry:
Apologize : To say sorry.
Regret : The horrible feeling when we wish that we hadnt done a certain thing.
I have lots of regrets about the way I acted. I regret signing up for that stressful job.
Apologetic : Showing regret for something youve done.
She was really apologetic about shouting at you in the meeting.
Ashamed : Feeling really bad or embarrassed about past actions.
I am ashamed of how hurtful I was to my sister.
Remorseful : The painful awareness of our wrongdoing. Similar to ashamed.
After fighting with his best friend, he was remorseful about the way he had treated her.
Fault : A flaw or an error. When used with a personal pronoun like my or your, it means taking responsibility for your actions or assigning blame.
It was my fault that we arrived late, and Im sorry.Im sorry were late, but it was her fault, not mine.
Mistake : Any error or misunderstanding. We frequently use the word mistake with the verb make.
I made too many mistakes, so we failed the group project.
Forgive : To stop feeling angry or upset at a person who did something bad.
I dont know if I can forgive her yet.
Saying Sorry When Youve Made A Small Mistake

Not all of our mistakes are big. Bumping into someone in a store or stepping on someones toes when youre in a hurry are minor mistakes. They might happen when were careless or distracted.
However, we should still apologize in these situations.
Here are some simple phrases for small mistakes. Remember to say these phrases with a smile and a cheerful tone:
Oh, sorry! I didnt see you there!
Sorry about that!
Sorry, it was an accident!
Sorry, I didnt mean to do that!
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How To Learn American Sign Language
This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow’s Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards.There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 11 testimonials and 83% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 667,150 times.Learn more…
American Sign Language is one of the most beautiful yet misunderstood languages in the world. Approach learning it with the same respect and expectations you would if you were learning any foreign spoken language. ASL is used in the United States and Canada. Other sign languages are used across the world, including Malaysia, Germany, Austria, Norway, and Finland. This article will give you some tips on learning this wonderful form of communication.
Part 3 Of 3: Practical Experience
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Part 2 Of 3: Ways To Learn
To Further Improve Your Sign Language Skills We Suggest You Do The Following:
- Learn the alphabet:: this is the basic and the building blocks to signing like a pro.
- Practice with native signers:: hanging out with Deaf people is a good away to practice as it is going to force you to use the signlanguage.
- Subscribe to 1 or more Sign Language teaching channels on Youtube:Check outSigned With Heart andASL Rochelle channelsto name just a few.
YouGlish for:
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Is There Japanese Sign Language
Two forms of sign language are currently used in Japan: JSL and Signed Japanese. Deaf people describe JSL as their mother tongue and the language they use among themselves. Recently codified by Japanese Deaf linguists, it is different from spoken Japanese with regard to modality, grammar, word order, and worldview.
Saying Sorry When Youre Trying To Get Someones Attention
In certain cases, you can use sorry to get someones attention. This is useful when you need somebody to repeat something, or when you need somebody to move.
Sorry, could you please repeat what you said?
Sorry, could you move over a bit so I can get through?
Sorry, could you pass me my jacket?
In these situations, we can also use words like pardon or excuse me.
Pardon? Could you repeat that?
Excuse me, can you pass me the salt?
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Sorry In Sign Language
Learn how to sign sorry in ASL . Sometimes you just have to say sorry and make amends.
Teaching Tips
- Teaching sign language to children early on can help them manage their emotions and learn their manners! Teach sorry, please and thank you early on.
- While we want toddlers to say they are sorry to friends when things go amiss, its a bit of a hard concept to teach! You can model the sign and help your child sign it whenever they need to say sorry to start. Eventually, they will catch on and do it alone too.
Transcript:You rub your fist around your chest because youre so sorry. Show me sorry. Sorry.
Quick Tips For Sincere Apologies

Saying sorry wont fix a problem immediately. An apology isnt a good apology until you mean it and you really want to do better. Here are some quick tips for sincere apologies in English:
- Take responsibility for your mistake: Admit that it was your fault, using the first person . Dont blame anyone else for your actions.
- Focus on your body language and tone: Make eye contact with your listener and try to speak in a soft and calm voice. Your apology must sound sincere and heartfelt.
- Ask for forgiveness: If its a major mistake, you must ask for forgiveness. But be prepared for the fact that theres a chance that you may not be forgiven.
- Learn to use the right words: Saying sorry can be very difficult in a second language. Its important to learn the right words that native speakers use to say sorry. You can learn these words with an educational app like FluentU.
Because each FluentU video features native English speakers, youll learn all the right words and phrases. Plus, you can watch these videos to work on your tone and body language.
Theres no better way to learn English than to be exposed to real-world English conversations. So give FluentU a try by signing up for a free trial.
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What Is Up In Sign Language
The sign for whats up uses a modified 5 handshape on each hand with the middle finger is bent forward from the large knuckle. The fingertips of the middle-fingers are placed on or near the chest and then the hands are flipped so that the middle fingers are pointing upward and the palms are facing up.
What Is The Self Introduction
What is a self-introduction? A self-introduction explains who you are, what you do and what others need to know about you. You should provide a self-introduction any time you meet someone new and don’t have a third party to introduce you. Offer a self-introduction when you are: Beginning an interview.
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Saying Sorry In English: Essential Phrases For Perfect English Apologies
Oh no, I did something wrong.I feel really bad about what I did.
All of us have felt bad about something we did or said.
Wouldnt life be so much easier if it came with an undo button?
Unfortunately, we cant change the past. We have to live with the consequences of our previous choices.
But theres a magic word that we can use to make things a little better.
Can you guess what it is?
Yes, youre right. Its sorry.
Learning to say sorry in English is essential to speaking polite English. Itll help you in personal relationships as well as professional ones. Keep reading to learn essential phrases, tips and tricks for saying sorry in English.
This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere.
What Is Easier To Learn Asl Or Bsl
It could be much easier to learn for logistic reasons. While sign languages tend to be more alike in general, owing to the different physical constraints they use as opposed to voiced ones, BSL is far more similar to AuslanASL is from a completely different language family. BSL is also closely related N.
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Saying Sorry When You Want To Express Sympathy For Others
Saying sorry isnt just for when you make a mistake.
We also say it when we want to sympathize with others. In other words, we say sorry to show that we understand and care about our family members, friends or acquaintances when they experience difficulties.
Here are some phrases you can use to sympathize with someone:
Im so sorry to hear about your break-up. How are you coping now that she has left?
Im sorry that this happened to you. It must have been so terrible. No one should have to go through that.
Im very sorry. Ive been through this and I understand how you feel.
I cannot express how sorry I am to hear about this.
Im really sorry to hear that you lost your job. Im here for you if you wish to talk about it.
However, if the context is the death of someone, we usually use the phrase my condolences.
Im sorry to hear about your father. My condolences. He must have been a great man.
Saying Sorry In Formal Situations
Apologies are really important in crucial situations, such as the workplace or an official environment.
For instance, employees may have to apologize to their bosses, either in writing or in person, if their work isnt good enough. Or, workers may have to say sorry to customers or clients when something goes wrong.
In these cases, its best to use formal phrases. For example:
I would like to sincerely apologize for my mistake.
My apologies. I take full responsibility for that failure.
I owe you an explanation for my disappointing behavior.
In a professional email, you can use phrases that are even more formal. For example:
Please accept my sincerest apologies regarding
Please accept this as my formal apology for
Allow me to apologize on behalf of the entire company.
Its really uncomfortable when you know youve done something wrong, but you dont know the right words or phrases to admit your faults.
After reading this, youll never feel that way again!
Now, you know how to say sorry in any situation. Try practicing the above words and phrases by saying them out loud in front of the mirror.
If youre unsure of how to pronounce certain words, look them up in an online dictionary. And remember, an apology isnt an apology until you mean it. So try to be as sincere as you can, and keep practicing until you get it right!
Archita Mittra is a freelance writer, journalist, editor and educator. Feel free to check out her blog or contact her for freelancing/educational inquiries.
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Saying Sorry: The Absolute Basics
Saying sorry means we admit our mistake and take responsibility for our actions. It means weve done something bad and now were trying to do better.
Im sorryfor hurting your feelings. I promise I will not be mean to you again.
We also say sorry when were feeling really bad about someone and we want to show that we understand and care for their feelings.
Im really sorry to hear that you lost your job.
The word sorry is used in many situations.
Also, depending on what we did and who were speaking to, the way we apologize changes.
Part 1 Of 3: Things To Know

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Saying Sorry When Youve Hurt Someones Feelings
All our actions have consequences and affect people around us.
Sometimes what we say or do can upset people.
In such cases, its important to apologize as well as to ask for forgiveness. You can also ask what you can do to make the other person feel better.
Im very sorry for forgetting the groceries. Please dont be mad at me.
I didnt mean to hurt you but Im sorry I did. Will you please give me another chance?
Im sorry. I shouldnt have said that.
Im filled with remorse for what I did last night.
It was my fault that I lost my temper. Will you please forgive me?
Im so sorry. Im ashamed of lying to you.
Im sorry. Is there anything I can do to make this up to you?
I truly regret what I did.
American Sign Language For Nice To Meet You
Instructions: The first sign nice is signed by placing your passive hand in front of you, palm up, and moving the flat palm of your active hand across your passive hand.The second sign which is meet is signed with both hands up, palms facing each other, active hand close to your chest. The fingers represent two people that are meeting.
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Saying Sorry In Very Informal Situations
The way we apologize to a stranger is different from the way we speak to a close friend.
In fact, when it comes to casual situations with friends, we often use informal or slang language. These terms are especially good for talking about small mistakes.
My bad, I forgot to bring the book.
Oops, sorry!
How silly/careless/stupid of me to say that!
I goofed, sorry!
Whoops!
Sometimes, if were texting with friends, we can shorten the word sorry or modify the spelling.
Sry. See ya soon!
How Long Does It Take For Someone To Learn Sign Language
Learning ASL is not easier than learning spoken French or any other spoken language. It takes at least six 3-credit ASL courses over the span of 2-3 years to attain a beginning-intermediate skill. To attain an intermediate-fluent skill, it takes another 2 years in the ASL/English interpretation training.
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How Do You Say Sorry In Sign Language
Sign Languagesorrysignsorrysign
. In this regard, how do you say shut up in sign language?
The sign for “shut up” closes the fingers and the thumb on top of your lips asif representing the closing of your mouth. In the endingposition the thumb is pressed up against the fingers .
Similarly, how do you sign hello for the deaf? Signing: To greet someone with a hello,make the sign by extending your fingers and cross your thumbin front of your palm. Now take the hand, and start with your handin front of your ear and extend it outward and away from yourbody.
Regarding this, how do you say bad in sign language?
Make the sign for “bad” by placing thefingers of your right hand against your lips. Move your hand downand away. End with your palm facing downward.
How do you say I love in sign language?
Signing: To sign I Love You, put upyour thumb, index finger and pinkie finger, while keeping your ringfinger and your middle finger down. Hold the hand out, palm facingaway from you and move it back and forth slightly.
Here Are 3 Tips That Should Help You Perfect Your Signing Of ‘sorry’:
- Look at the way native signers say ‘sorry’: use YouGlish for that purpose. Repeat the track as much asyou need and if required, slow down the speed of the player.
- Record yourself signing ‘sorry’ on camera then watch yourself. You’ll be able to mark the points of weakness in your techniques.
- Look up tutorials on YouTube on how to say ‘sorry’ in Sign Language.
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What Is Sister In Japanese Sign Language
In Japanese Sign Language, it does not. So, Japan, what gives? Japanese children are taught the names of all the fingers. The thumb is the father finger, the index finger is the mother finger, the middle finger is the brother finger, the ring finger is the sister finger, and the pinky is the baby finger.
American Sign Language For Help

In sign language, you have two ways of saying help, either asking for help or to help someone.
Instructions: Both hands are joined for assistance . You close your active hand on the shape of a 10 resting on your passive hand opening your palm upwards. Then move your hands slightly upward in front of the chest.
Asking for help: Move both hands back to your chest.Help someone: Move both hands towards the person you are signing to.
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