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How to Say ‘Really sorry.’ in Traditional Chinese

真的很不好意思。

zhēn de hěn bù hǎo yì sī

[jen duh huhn boo how ee suh]

💬 Usage Tip: [真的] adds sincerity: [真的很不好意思] is stronger than just [不好意思]. Also, [很] before [不好意思] often doesn't need to be translated as "very"; it helps the sentence sound natural.

Phrase Breakdown

真的

zhēn de

[jen duh]

really

Used to strongly emphasize sincerity or seriousness in what you say.

Example

我真的很不好意思,今天遲到了。

I am really very sorry; I was late today.

很不好意思

hěn bù hǎo yì sī

very sorry; quite embarrassed

A polite expression used to apologize or show embarrassment.

Example

很不好意思,讓你久等了。

Sorry for making you wait so long.

Words in this phrase

hěn

[huhn]

very

An adverb meaning very; commonly placed before adjectives or polite expressions.

Example

我很不好意思現在才到。

I feel very sorry for only arriving now.

不好意思

bù hǎo yì sī

[boo how ee suh]

feel embarrassed; sorry

A polite expression for apologizing or saying you feel embarrassed about causing trouble.

Example

讓大家久等了,不好意思。

Sorry for making everyone wait so long.

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