道歉

• Pinyin: dào qiàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 道 = 辶 (walk) + 首 (head); 歉 = 欠 (lacking) + 兼 (both)

Meaning

To apologize. Expressing regret or asking for forgiveness.

The act of acknowledging wrongdoing and asking for forgiveness. More formal than saying 对不起. Can be a sincere personal apology or a formal public statement. The sincerity of an apology is important in Chinese culture.

Examples

1. 他意识到自己的错误后主动向同事道歉。 After realizing his mistake, he took the initiative to apologize to his colleague.
2. 公司为这次事故向受影响的客户正式道歉。 The company formally apologized to the affected customers for this incident.
3. 光道歉没有用，你得拿出实际行动来。 Just apologizing is useless — you need to show it through actions.

Usage Guide

Context: apology, interpersonal

Tone: sincere

Do Say

• 我欠你一个道歉。(I owe you an apology.)
• 他为自己的行为道歉了。(He apologized for his behavior.)

Don't Say

• 道歉比'说对不起'正式，正式场合用道歉更合适 (道歉 is more formal than 说对不起 — use 道歉 in formal situations)

Origin & History

Combines 道 (to say/express) with 歉 (apology/regret), meaning to express one's regret.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal