Chinese word

赔不是

Pronunciation

Pinyinpéi bù shì

Meaning

  • verbapologize

Example

他总是来向我赔不是。tā zǒng shì lái xiàng wǒ péi bú shì

He always comes to apologize to me.

Illustration for 赔不是 (apologize)

More examples

他主动赔不是，气氛才缓和下来。tā zhǔ dòng péi bú shì qì fēn cái huǎn hé xià lái

He took the initiative to apologize, and only then did the atmosphere ease.

Core concept

A spoken way to lower another person's anger by accepting blame and trying to set things right.

Common phrases

  • 主动赔不是zhǔ dòng péi bú shì

    take the initiative to apologize

  • 向大家赔不是xiàng dà jiā péi bú shì

    apologize to everyone

Similar words

道歉dào qiàn: Apologize for a mistake or hurt caused by words or actions.
认错rèn cuò: Admit being wrong and accept responsibility for a mistake.
抱歉bào qiàn: Tell someone that one feels sorry for causing trouble or harm.

Definition in Chinese

非正式的动词，指为自己的错误向对方道歉并尽力弥补，以平息矛盾或安抚对方。fēi zhèng shì de dòng cí zhǐ wèi zì jǐ de cuò wù xiàng duì fāng dào qiàn bìng jìn lì mí bǔ yǐ píng xī máo dùn huò ān fǔ duì fāng

Word origin

赔不是 (péibùshì, "apologize") joins 赔 (péi, "compensate") and 不是 (búshì, "be in the wrong"), so the word presents admitting fault together with making amends.

Usage tips

  • For everyday conversations, the word often suits a small personal conflict where restoring goodwill matters, while a neutral apology in English does not always suggest that extra effort.

Opposites

  • 拒绝道歉jù jué dào qiànrefuse to apologizeverb

Word lists with this word