sorry; I apologize
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 5 examplesverb
sorry; I'm sorry; apologize
neutralA standard, polite apology formula. Can be used in most situations from minor inconveniences to sincere apologies. The variant "对不住" is also common, especially in northern dialects.
Duì对
bu不
qǐ起
，
ràng让
nín您
jiǔ久
děng等
le了
。
Sorry to have kept you waiting.
Duì对
bu不
qǐ起
，
wǒ我
cǎi踩
dào到
nǐ你
de的
jiǎo脚
le了
。
I'm sorry, I stepped on your foot.
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Zhè这
jiàn件
shì事
shì是
wǒ我
zuò做
de得
bù不
duì对
，
wǒ我
xiàng向
nǐ你
shuō说
shēng声
duì对
bu不
qǐ起
。
I was wrong in this matter; I want to say I'm sorry to you.
Duì对
bu不
qǐ起
，
dǎ打
rǎo扰
yī一
xià下
。
Excuse me, may I interrupt for a moment?
Zhēn真
duì对
bu不
qǐ起
，
wǒ我
bǎ把
nǐ你
de的
shū书
nòng弄
diū丢
le了
。
I'm truly sorry, I lost your book.