Korean word

미안

Pronunciation

Romanizationmian

Meaning

  • interjectionsorry

Example

미안, 늦었어.mi an neu seo sseo

Sorry, I'm late.

Illustration for 미안 (sorry)

More examples

말이 지나쳐서 미안합니다.ma ri chi na cheo seo mi an ham ni da

I'm sorry for going too far with what I said.

Core concept

A quick spoken apology that repairs a small social mistake between people who know each other.

Common phrases

  • 미안합니다mi an ham ni da

    I'm sorry

  • 미안해mi an hae

    sorry

Similar words

미안해요mianhaeyo: A respectful apology that takes the other person's feelings into account.
미안해mianhae: A casual way to say sorry during friendly conversation.
죄송합니다choesonghamnida: A highly formal apology that openly accepts blame for trouble caused.
죄송해요choesonghaeyo: A polite everyday expression of regret for a mistake or inconvenience.

Definition in Korean

공식적이지 않은 말투로 친한 사이에서 쓰는 짧은 사과 표현kong sik jjeo gi ji a neun mal tu ro chin han sa i e seo sseu neun jjal beun sa gwa pyo hyeon

Word origin

Its short form comes from a longer Korean apology expression and became a natural choice for fast, informal speech.

Usage tips

  • English speakers can connect it with sorry, but its very brief form sounds especially friendly and informal in Korean.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word