Meaning of 抱歉
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to be sorry
- to feel apologetic
- sorry!
How to use 抱歉
抱歉 is a slightly more formal way to say sorry than 对不起 (duìbuqǐ), common in service settings, emails, and polite speech. It can stand alone as "Sorry" or describe a feeling, often with 很 or 非常. Example: 抱歉，让你久等了。(Bàoqiàn, ràng nǐ jiǔ děng le.) Sorry to keep you waiting.
抱 (bào) means to hold or hug, and 歉 (qiàn) means regret, as in 道歉 (dàoqiàn) to apologize. When you say 抱歉, picture yourself holding your regret in your arms, carrying it with you.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 抱歉 and 道歉. 抱歉 describes feeling sorry, while 道歉 is the action of apologizing, so say 我向他道歉 (I apologize to him), not 我向他抱歉. Also note 歉 is fourth tone qiàn, not qián.
抱歉 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
抱 bào · to hold · 8 strokes
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歉 qiàn · deficient · 14 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 抱歉.
| 抱怨 | bàoyuàn | to complain; to grumble |
| 拥抱 | yōngbào | to embrace; to hug |
| 道歉 | dàoqiàn | to apologize |
| 怀抱 | huáibào | to hug; to cherish |
| 歉意 | qiànyì | apology; regret |
| 抱负 | bàofù | aspiration; ambition |
| 抱抱 | bàobào | to hug; to give a cuddle |
| 致歉 | zhìqiàn | to apologize; to express regret |
| 抱头 | bàotóu | to put one's hands behind one's head, fingers interlaced; to hold one's head in one's hand |
| 投怀送抱 | tóuhuáisòngbào | to throw oneself in sb's arms; to throw oneself at sb |
Questions about 抱歉
What does 抱歉 mean?
抱歉 (bàoqiàn) means "to be sorry; to feel apologetic" and is used as a adjective.
How do you write 抱歉?
抱歉 is made of 2 characters: 抱 (8 strokes), 歉 (14 strokes). That is 22 strokes in total.
Is 抱歉 an HSK word?
Yes. 抱歉 is on the HSK 6 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 抱歉 and 对不起?
Both mean sorry. 对不起 is the everyday default and works for serious apologies. 抱歉 sounds a bit more polite and formal, and is often used for minor inconveniences, like in shops or announcements.
How do I say "I'm sorry to hear that" or "sorry about something" with 抱歉?
Use 对 plus the matter, or 感到抱歉. For example, 我对这件事感到很抱歉 (Wǒ duì zhè jiàn shì gǎndào hěn bàoqiàn) means I feel very sorry about this matter.