对不起

• 拼音: duì bu qǐ
• 汉字拆解: 对 (face) + 不 (not) + 起 (rise, lift) — cannot face someone, i.e. sorry

含义

Sorry; excuse me. A common expression for apologizing.

The standard way to apologize in Chinese. Used for both minor inconveniences and more serious apologies. The literal meaning is 'cannot face you' (对 face + 不 not + 起 rise). The standard response is 没关系 (it's okay). For a lighter 'excuse me,' 不好意思 is more casual.

例句

1. 对不起，我来晚了。
2. 对不起，我不知道。
3. 对不起，请再说一次。

用法指南

语境: apology, everyday

语气: apologetic

正确说法

• 对不起，是我的错。(Sorry, it's my fault.)
• 对不起，打扰一下。(Sorry to bother you.)

错误说法

• 对不起你 in casual apologies (对不起 stands alone as a set phrase — 对不起你 means 'to let you down' and is much heavier)

起源与历史

Literally 'cannot face' — 对 (face) + 不 (not) + 起 (rise). The idea is that one feels so ashamed one cannot lift one's face to look at the other person.

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal