Learning how to say I’m sorry in different languages helps you express regret with respect and sincerity. If you are traveling, working with international clients, or fixing a misunderstanding, using local apology phrases shows cultural awareness and emotional intelligence.
This guide shares I’m sorry translations around the world, with easy pronunciations and real life examples so you can speak naturally and politely in many situations.
I’m Sorry in All Languages
| Language | Phrase & Pronunciation | Example Sentence + Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| English | I’m sorry (im sor-ee) | I’m sorry I’m late apology for delay |
| Spanish | Lo siento (lo see-en-to) | Lo siento por llegar tarde sorry for being late |
| French | Je suis désolé (zhuh swee day-zo-lay) | Je suis désolé pour le retard sorry for delay |
| German | Es tut mir leid (es toot meer lite) | Es tut mir leid, das war mein Fehler my mistake |
| Italian | Mi dispiace (mee dee-spya-che) | Mi dispiace per l’errore sorry for the error |
| Portuguese | Desculpa (des-cool-pa) | Desculpa pelo atraso sorry for delay |
| Dutch | Het spijt me (het spate muh) | Het spijt me dat ik te laat ben sorry I’m late |
| Russian | Izvini (iz-vee-nee) | Izvini za eto sorry about that |
| Polish | Przepraszam (psheh-pra-sham) | Przepraszam za spóźnienie sorry for being late |
| Greek | Syngnómi (see-ghno-mee) | Syngnómi gia to lathos sorry for the mistake |
| Turkish | Özür dilerim (oh-zur dee-leh-rim) | Özür dilerim, geç kaldım sorry I’m late |
| Arabic | Ana asef (ana a-sef) | Ana asef ala al khata sorry for the mistake |
| Hindi | Maaf kijiye (maaf kee-ji-ye) | Maaf kijiye, main der se aaya sorry I came late |
| Urdu | Maaf karein (maaf ka-rein) | Maaf karein, main der se aaya sorry I arrived late |
| Chinese | Duì bu qǐ (dway boo chee) | Duì bu qǐ, wǒ chídào le sorry I’m late |
| Japanese | Gomen nasai (go-men-na-sai) | Gomen nasai, okuremashita sorry I was late |
| Korean | Mianhaeyo (mee-an-he-yo) | Mianhaeyo neujeosseoyo sorry I’m late |
| Thai | Kho thot (kho thot) | Kho thot thi ma sai sorry for coming late |
| Vietnamese | Xin lỗi (sin loy) | Xin lỗi vì đến trễ sorry for being late |
| Indonesian | Maaf (ma-af) | Maaf saya terlambat sorry I’m late |
| Malay | Maaf (ma-af) | Maaf kerana lambat sorry for being late |
| Filipino | Pasensya na (pa-sen-sha na) | Pasensya na nahuli ako sorry I’m late |
| Swahili | Samahani (sa-ma-ha-nee) | Samahani kwa kuchelewa sorry for delay |
| Zulu | Ngiyaxolisa (ngee-ya-kho-lee-sa) | Ngiyaxolisa ngokuphuzile sorry for being late |
| Afrikaans | Jammer (ya-mer) | Jammer ek is laat sorry I’m late |
| Romanian | Îmi pare rău (um pareh reh-oo) | Îmi pare rău pentru greșeală sorry for mistake |
| Hungarian | Sajnálom (shoy-na-lom) | Sajnálom a hibát sorry for error |
| Czech | Promiň (pro-min) | Promiň za zpoždění sorry for delay |
| Slovak | Prepáč (pre-pach) | Prepáč za meškanie sorry for being late |
| Finnish | Anteeksi (an-tek-see) | Anteeksi myöhästyminen sorry for delay |
| Swedish | Förlåt (fur-lot) | Förlåt att jag är sen sorry I’m late |
| Norwegian | Unnskyld (oon-shuld) | Unnskyld for forsinkelsen sorry for delay |
| Danish | Undskyld (oon-skool) | Undskyld jeg er sen sorry I’m late |
| Icelandic | Fyrirgefðu (fee-rir-gehv-thu) | Fyrirgefðu mistökin sorry for mistake |
| Irish | Tá brón orm (taw brohn urm) | Tá brón orm faoin moill sorry for delay |
| Welsh | Mae’n ddrwg gen i (mine throog gen ee) | Mae’n ddrwg gen i sorry |
| Hebrew | Ani mitstaer (ani mit-sta-er) | Ani mitstaer al hataut sorry for mistake |
| Persian | Motasefam (mo-te-asefam) | Motasefam babate takhir sorry for delay |
| Bengali | Dukhito (dook-khi-to) | Dukhito ami deri korechi sorry I’m late |
| Punjabi | Maaf karo (maaf karo) | Maaf karo main late haan sorry I’m late |
| Tamil | Mannikkavum (man-ni-ka-vum) | Mannikkavum thaamatham sorry for delay |
| Telugu | Kshaminchandi (ksha-min-cha-ndi) | Kshaminchandi aalasya sorry for delay |
| Kannada | Kshamisi (ksha-mi-si) | Kshamisi naanu tadavagi bande sorry I’m late |
| Malayalam | Kshamikkanam (ksha-mi-kka-num) | Kshamikkanam njan vaiki sorry I’m late |
| Nepali | Maaf garnuhos (maaf gar-nu-hos) | Maaf garnuhos dhilo bhayo sorry I’m late |
| Sinhala | Samawenna (sa-ma-wen-na) | Samawenna mama parakku sorry I’m late |
| Serbian | Zao mi je (zao mee yeh) | Zao mi je zbog kašnjenja sorry for delay |
| Croatian | Zao mi je (zao mee yeh) | Zao mi je zbog greške sorry for mistake |
| Bulgarian | Sazhalyavam (sa-zha-lya-vam) | Sazhalyavam za zakasnenieto sorry for delay |
| Slovenian | Oprosti (o-pros-tee) | Oprosti za napako sorry for mistake |
| Lithuanian | Atsiprašau (at-si-pra-shau) | Atsiprašau už klaidą sorry for mistake |
| Latvian | Piedod (pye-dod) | Piedod par kļūdu sorry for mistake |
| Estonian | Vabandust (va-ban-dust) | Vabandust hilinemise pärast sorry for delay |
| Albanian | Më fal (muh fal) | Më fal për gabimin sorry for mistake |
| Georgian | Bodishi (bo-dee-shee) | Bodishi dagvianebistvis sorry for delay |
| Armenian | Neroghutyun (ne-ro-ghu-tyun) | Neroghutyun ushatsman hamar sorry for delay |
| Mongolian | Uuchlaarai (oo-chlaa-rai) | Uuchlaarai hochorloo sorry I’m late |
| Somali | Waan ka xumahay (waan ka khu-ma-hay) | Waan ka xumahay I’m sorry |
| Amharic | Yikirta (yee-kir-ta) | Yikirta zegyichalehu sorry I’m late |
| Yoruba | Ma binu (ma bee-noo) | Ma binu fun mi sorry about that |
| Hausa | Yi hakuri (yee ha-koo-ree) | Yi hakuri na makara sorry I’m late |
| Maori | Aroha mai (a-ro-ha my) | Aroha mai mō te roa sorry for delay |
| Hawaiian | E kala mai (eh ka-la my) | E kala mai no ka lohi sorry for delay |
| Esperanto | Mi bedauras (mee be-dau-ras) | Mi bedauras la eraron sorry for mistake |
Why Learning Apology Phrases Matters
Using I’m sorry in all languages builds trust, shows politeness, and strengthens communication across cultures. A simple apology in someone’s native language can immediately create warmth and respect.
When to Use These Translations
These phrases are helpful during travel, workplace communication, customer service, friendships, and conflict resolution. Knowing how to say I’m sorry in different languages makes your message more genuine.
Conclusion
Knowing I’m sorry translations helps you connect with empathy and cultural respect anywhere in the world. A small phrase can make a big difference in relationships.
FAQs
1. What is the most common apology word globally?
English “sorry” is widely recognized, but local phrases are more appreciated.
2. Are apology phrases formal or informal?
Many languages have both polite and casual forms.
3. Is pronunciation important?
Yes, correct pronunciation shows effort and respect.
4. Can I use these while traveling?
Absolutely. Locals value the attempt to speak their language.
5. Do translations carry the same emotion?
The meaning is similar, though tone and cultural weight may vary.
