In a country like France, where language is so complex that you need to use tu (you) and vous (you) for different settings, it can get difficult to simply say sorry in French. While in English, you can just use “I am sorry” for different settings regardless of the context, on the other hand French has different ways to apologise. This is especially important because in the French culture, etiquette is really important and has a high value. In this blog, we’ll explore different ways you can say I am sorry in French depending on the context and situation. This will not only help you apologise correctly but also expand your French vocabulary. So, read on!
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The most common way to say sorry in French is by saying "Je suis désolé(e)”, which directly translates to “I am sorry” in English. However, what exactly you say for apologising in French can also majorly depend on the context, situation, and the reason you are asking for forgiveness.
Here are 10 different and common ways you can say sorry in French language depending on the context and situation:
Take a look below to understand how you can use these common ways to say I am sorry in French in different situations.
The first is Désolé(e), which translates to sorry in English. It is a part of the basic French vocabulary and an important phrase when learning how to say sorry in French. It can be used in both formal and informal situations.
However, you do have to keep in mind that this word is an adjective, so you need to make sure that while speaking/writing, it needs to agree with both the number and gender. For example, we’ll use désolé for men and désolée for women.
Also, note that while we can use Désolé(e) on its own, it is generally used in sentences like “Je suis désolé(e)” to show more sincerity. Below are a few examples of Désolé(e) in a sentence in different contexts:
If you want to give more of an emphatic or formal apology in French, then you can say “Je suis vraiment désolé(e)”, meaning I am truly sorry. This is mainly used in the context of death or instances when you want to give your condolences. However, you need to conjugate this based on the feminine/masculine and singular/plural forms of the verb.
As you learn French, this upgraded version of "Je suis désolé(e)” will become more useful, and you can use this in both formal and informal settings to show sympathy. Let’s take a look at how you can use “Je suis vraiment désolé(e)” in different ways:
Note: If you are saying this to a group, then add “s” in the end. For example, désolés/désolées.
Similar to “excuse me” in English, we have “excusez-moi” in French, which doesn’t necessarily mean sorry, but is a subtle way of apologising or indicating that you want to be noticed. You can use this in situations where you want to ask a follow-up question or want someone to bring their attention to you.
Generally, we use “excusez-moi” in formal situations, but it can also be used in informal settings as well. Additionally, you can also use this to say sorry in French language in situations when you accidentally call the wrong number or want to interrupt someone’s train of thought.
Here are a few examples of how you can say Excusez-moi in different context in French:
"Pardon" is a polite word which is similar to "Excuse me" in French or "Sorry" in English. But it is often slightly more casual or spontaneous than "Excusez-moi". “Pardon” is often called “The public transport Sorry” in French because you don’t mean it, you just use it to informally apologise. You can say this in situations like when you accidentally bump into someone in a crowded place or on a subway.
Pardon in French is used the same way we use Pardon in English, both contextually and situationally. But it is generally used in a formal situation to casually express regret. Take a look at these examples that use “pardon” in French in different ways:
If you are looking for saying sorry in French in a direct apologetic way, then you can say “Je regretted.” While it is most commonly used in informal situations in French, you can also use it in formal situations. For example, “Je regrette ce désagrément” (I regret this inconvenience.)
Or you can also use this as a reply for sentences like “Êtes-vous disponible demain ?” (Are you available tomorrow?) to which you can reply “Je regrette, je suis occupé(e)” (I’m sorry, I’m busy.) Below are a few more examples of “Je regrette" in different situations:
If you want to go beyond simply saying I am sorry in French and want to show deep regret, then you can say “Je suis navré(e).” This phrase is the French equivalent of saying “I am deeply sorry” or “I am deeply saddened” in English and is used to convey both sorrow and regret in formal situations.
However, you do have to keep in mind that just like "désolé(e)," “Je suis navré(e)” also needs to agree with gender in the sentence. For example, a male speaker will use "Je suis navré," while a female speaker will use "Je suis navrée.” Take a look at some of these examples below:
“Je m'excuse” is another commonly used French phrase to say I am sorry. While it can be used to apologise, most French people consider this rude because it translates to “I excuse myself” or “I forgive myself.” However, you can still use this, but you just need to be varied about when or where you are using this.
Here are a few scenarios where you can use “Je m'excuse” and it won’t be considered as impolite as it can in some situations:
If you want to learn how to say sorry in French in a formal way or situation, then you can go with “Je vous demande pardon” which mean “I beg your pardon” in English. It is most commonly used in formal messages, for example, you can easily see this in signs at transportation or buildings for construction or other unexpected reasons.
And not just that, you can also use “Je vous demande pardon” as a question when you don’t understand what someone said and want them to repeat themselves. Here are a few ways you can say this upgraded version of I am sorry in French in different situations:
To apologise in French and accept your fault, you can say “C'est (de) ma faute” which translates to “It is my fault” in English. In most situations, it gets hard to simply apologise in French, because most French people expect an explanation or some kind of justification. This can make it a little difficult to use other simple ways to say sorry in French, like “Je suis désolé(e).”
So, instead you can use “C'est (de) ma faute” where you can just accept your fault and take all the responsibility. Below are a few examples:
Note: We generally use "C'est ma faute,” however, we add “de” to specify whose fault it is or in a formal and literal context.
Lastly, to say sorry in French before delivering bad news, you can go with the phrase “Je suis au regret de vous informer.” This translates to “I’m sorry to inform you that…” and is considered a harsh way to apologise.
Also, note that this is most commonly used in written communication and especially in a professional or official setting. Some examples include:
Also Read: Good Morning in French
In Conclusion, knowing how to apologise in French is a basic part of learning and understanding the language, alongside things like please or thank you in French. Once you understand the nuances of saying sorry in French, you can easily choose the right phrases for different settings. Just keep in mind that in the French language, respect and politeness are important, and if not expressed correctly, people may take it as rude.
If you need help understanding more about the French language or just want to simply master it, then you can connect with our experts at Gradding.com for personalised learning. Connect today!
To apologise in French, you can say "Je suis désolé(e)” which means “I am sorry” in English. If you want to say sorry in a formal way, then you can also say "Excusez-moi" or "Pardon" as a quick sorry.
Yes, in French Desole means sorry and is one of the most common ways to apologise. Desole is a short version of "je suis désolé" (I am sorry) and you can use it a sentence like “Je suis désolé(e) de vous avoir fait attendre” (I am sorry for keeping you waiting.)
In French, “pardon” means sorry and is generally used to mean “excuse me” or to ask someone to repeat what they said. You can also use “pardon” in both formal and informal situations.
The most common ways to say sorry in French are:
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