抱歉

• Pinyin: bào qiàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 抱 = 扌(hand) + 包, to hold; 歉 = 欠 (lacking) + 兼, apology/regret

Meaning

Sorry; apologetic; to feel apologetic. Expression of regret or apology.

A formal way to express apology, more polite and professional than 对不起. Often used in written communication, business contexts, and formal situations. Can be used as both an adjective (feeling sorry) and an interjection (sorry).

Examples

1. 非常抱歉，因为交通堵塞，我来晚了。 I'm very sorry — I'm late because of traffic.
2. 我对自己的失误感到十分抱歉。 I feel very apologetic about my mistake.
3. 抱歉打扰您，请问会议室在哪里？ Sorry to bother you — excuse me, where is the conference room?

Usage Guide

Context: apology, business

Tone: polite

Do Say

• 很抱歉给您添麻烦了。(I'm very sorry to have caused you trouble.)
• 抱歉，这个问题我没办法回答。(Sorry, I cannot answer this question.)

Don't Say

• 不要在非常轻微的事情上过度使用'抱歉' (Don't overuse 抱歉 for very minor things — it sounds overly formal; use 不好意思 for small matters)

Origin & History

Compound of 抱 (to hold, harbor) + 歉 (regret, apology), meaning to harbor feelings of regret.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal