bàoqiàn: 抱歉 - Sorry, Apology, To feel apologetic
Quick Summary
Keywords: bàoqiàn, 抱歉, how to say sorry in Chinese, Chinese apology, duibuqi vs baoqian, sorry in Mandarin, apologize in Chinese, 不好意思 vs 抱歉, formal apology Chinese
Summary: Learning how to say sorry in Chinese goes beyond just one word. 抱歉 (bàoqiàn) is a fundamental term for expressing a sincere apology, striking a crucial balance between the light “不好意思 (bù hǎoyìsi)” and the heavy “对不起 (duìbuqǐ)”. This page will teach you how to use `bàoqiàn` to express genuine regret in professional and social situations, helping you navigate Chinese culture with politeness and respect. Understanding the nuances of a Chinese apology is key to effective communication.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): bàoqiàn
Part of Speech: Verb / Adjective
HSK Level: HSK 4
Concise Definition: To feel sorry or regretful; to express an apology for an inconvenience or mistake.
In a Nutshell: `抱歉` is the standard, polite way to say “I apologize” or “I'm sorry” in many situations. It carries more weight and sincerity than a casual “excuse me” but is less severe than admitting a major moral failing. Think of it as expressing genuine regret for causing someone trouble, which makes it incredibly versatile in daily life.
Character Breakdown
抱 (bào): To hold, to carry in one's arms, to embrace. Pictorially, it combines the “hand” radical (扌) with a character representing a person (包), illustrating the act of holding someone or something.
歉 (qiàn): To apologize, to regret, to feel deficient. This character is associated with a feeling of lack or owing someone something (欠 qiàn), combined with the “to sigh” radical (C).
Together, 抱歉 (bàoqiàn) literally translates to “to hold regret.” This beautifully captures the essence of the word: you are actively holding and presenting your feeling of regret to the other person. It’s an emotional and personal apology, not just a procedural one.
Cultural Context and Significance
In Chinese culture, maintaining social harmony and giving “face” (面子, miànzi) are paramount. Apologies are not just about admitting fault; they are tools to mend social friction and show respect for others' feelings and time.
`抱歉` is the perfect instrument for this. Unlike the English “I'm sorry,” which is often tightly linked to personal blame, `抱歉` focuses more on the regret for the outcome. You might say `抱歉` because your train was late, causing you to miss a meeting. You aren't to blame for the train, but you regret the inconvenience caused to the other person.
This contrasts with a Western tendency to avoid apologizing for things not directly one's fault. In China, expressing `抱歉` in such a situation is seen as polite, empathetic, and socially intelligent. It smooths over the disruption and shows you value the other person's experience, thus preserving harmony. It's an acknowledgment of an unfortunate situation rather than a confession of guilt.
Practical Usage in Modern China
`抱歉` is a common and essential word used across various contexts, generally in situations that are moderately serious or require a degree of formality.
– In Customer Service and Business —
This is a primary domain for `抱歉`. It is the standard, professional way to apologize for a mistake, delay, or inability to meet a customer's needs. It sounds sincere without being overly dramatic.
– For Minor to Moderate Social Transgressions —
`抱歉` is perfect for situations more serious than just bumping into someone, but not serious enough to have caused deep personal harm.
Being significantly late for a meeting with a friend.
Having to cancel plans you previously made.
Accidentally spilling a drink on someone's table (but not on their clothes).
– When Declining Invitations or Requests —
When you cannot fulfill a request or accept an invitation, using `抱歉` is a polite way to soften the rejection. It shows you regret the inability to say yes.
“I'm sorry, I can't help you with that right now.”
“I apologize, but I won't be able to attend the wedding.”
Example Sentences
Example 1:
真的很抱歉，我迟到了。
Pinyin: Zhēn de hěn bàoqiàn, wǒ chídào le.
English: I'm truly sorry, I'm late.
Analysis: This is a classic use case. It's more sincere and formal than a quick “不好意思 (bù hǎoyìsi)”. It's appropriate for being late to meet a friend, and essential if you are late for a professional meeting.
Example 2:
抱歉，我们今天已经订满了。
Pinyin: Bàoqiàn, wǒmen jīntiān yǐjīng dìng mǎn le.
English: I'm sorry, we are fully booked today.
Analysis: A standard, polite phrase used in the service industry (e.g., at a restaurant or hotel). It's professional and expresses regret for the inconvenience.
Example 3:
抱歉，我帮不了你这个忙。
Pinyin: Bàoqiàn, wǒ bāng bu liǎo nǐ zhège máng.
English: I'm sorry, I can't help you with this.
Analysis: A polite way to turn down a request for help. It softens the rejection and shows that you feel regretful about your inability to assist.
Example 4:
为我刚才的态度，我向你表示抱歉。
Pinyin: Wèi wǒ gāngcái de tàidù, wǒ xiàng nǐ biǎoshì bàoqiàn.
English: I apologize for my attitude just now.
Analysis: The structure “向你表示抱歉 (xiàng nǐ biǎoshì bàoqiàn)” means “to express my apologies to you.” This is a very formal and sincere construction.
Example 5:
抱歉，打扰一下，请问洗手间在哪里？
Pinyin: Bàoqiàn, dǎrǎo yíxià, qǐngwèn xǐshǒujiān zài nǎlǐ?
English: I'm sorry to bother you, but could you please tell me where the restroom is?
Analysis: In this context, `抱歉` is used like a more formal `不好意思`. It's very polite and shows you respect the other person's time. Good to use when interrupting someone who looks busy.
Example 6:
他为不能参加你的生日派对感到很抱歉。
Pinyin: Tā wèi bùnéng cānjiā nǐ de shēngrì pàiduì gǎndào hěn bàoqiàn.
English: He feels very sorry that he cannot attend your birthday party.
Analysis: Here, `抱歉` is used with `感到 (gǎndào)` to mean “to feel apologetic.” It describes an internal feeling of regret.
Example 7:
抱歉，我没听清楚，您能再说一遍吗？
Pinyin: Bàoqiàn, wǒ méi tīng qīngchu, nín néng zài shuō yíbiàn ma?
English: I'm sorry, I didn't hear clearly. Could you say that again?
Analysis: A polite way to ask for clarification. Using `您 (nín)` and `抱歉` together makes this very respectful.
Example 8:
对于这次合作中的失误，我们深感抱歉。
Pinyin: Duìyú zhè cì hézuò zhōng de shīwù, wǒmen shēn gǎn bàoqiàn.
English: We feel deeply apologetic for the error in this collaboration.
Analysis: This is a very formal, written-style apology suitable for a business context. “深感抱歉 (shēn gǎn bàoqiàn)” means “to feel deeply apologetic.”
Example 9:
抱歉，这个座位有人了。
Pinyin: Bàoqiàn, zhège zuòwèi yǒurén le.
English: Sorry, this seat is taken.
Analysis: A simple, effective, and polite way to handle a common social situation. It's friendly but clear.
Example 10:
您的包裹丢失了，我们万分抱歉，并会尽快为您处理。
Pinyin: Nín de bāoguǒ diūshī le, wǒmen wànfēn bàoqiàn, bìng huì jǐnkuài wèi nín chǔlǐ.
English: Your package has been lost. We are extremely sorry and will handle it for you as soon as possible.
Analysis: “万分抱歉 (wànfēn bàoqiàn)” means “extremely sorry” (literally “ten-thousand-parts sorry”). This is a high-level, formal apology used by companies to address a serious service failure.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
The most common mistake for learners is not knowing when to use `抱歉` versus its two closest relatives: `不好意思` and `对不起`. Using the wrong one can make you sound overly dramatic, insincere, or rude.
Here is a simple guide to their levels of seriousness:
1. 不好意思 (bù hǎoyìsi) - Lightest
Feeling: “Excuse me,” “My bad,” slight embarrassment.
Use When: For trivial matters. Getting someone's attention, squeezing past someone on the subway, asking for a small favor.
Example: 不好意思，借过一下。(Bù hǎoyìsi, jièguò yíxià.) - Excuse me, let me pass.
2. 抱歉 (bàoqiàn) - Middle Ground (This page's topic)
Feeling: “I'm sorry,” “I apologize,” sincere regret for an inconvenience.
Use When: You are late, have to cancel plans, provide bad news in a service context, or can't fulfill a request. It's polite and professional.
Example: 抱歉，我不能接受你的邀请。(Bàoqiàn, wǒ bùnéng jiēshòu nǐ de yāoqǐng.) - I'm sorry, I can't accept your invitation.
3. 对不起 (duìbuqǐ) - Heaviest
Feeling: “I am truly sorry,” admission of fault for a significant wrongdoing.
Use When: You have genuinely wronged someone or caused them harm, hurt, or significant loss. This implies you are taking responsibility for a moral or serious mistake.
Example: 对不起，我不应该对你撒谎。(Duìbuqǐ, wǒ bù yìnggāi duì nǐ sāhuǎng.) - I'm sorry, I shouldn't have lied to you.
Common Mistake: Using `对不起` for being 5 minutes late to a casual coffee. This would sound overly dramatic, as if you committed a grave sin. `抱歉` or even `不好意思` would be much more appropriate.
对不起 (duìbuqǐ) - A more serious apology used for admitting fault in a significant wrongdoing. The antonym of “to be right by someone.”
不好意思 (bù hǎoyìsi) - A lighter, more casual apology for minor inconveniences; also means “to feel shy or embarrassed.”
道歉 (dàoqiàn) - The formal verb “to apologize.” While `抱歉` often describes the feeling of being sorry, `道歉` describes the action of making an apology (e.g., 他向我道歉了 - He apologized to me).
遗憾 (yíhàn) - To regret; a feeling of sorrow or pity, often for a situation that is unfortunate but out of anyone's control. It's less about apology and more about expressing sadness over a circumstance.
原谅 (yuánliàng) - To forgive. This is what you hope to receive after giving an apology.
打扰一下 (dǎrǎo yíxià) - “Excuse me for bothering you.” Functionally very similar to a light `不好意思`, used before interrupting or asking a question.
失陪 (shīpéi) - A formal phrase meaning “Excuse me, I must be leaving now.” It's a way of apologizing for leaving someone's company, used at dinners or formal events.