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About This Lesson
In this lesson, you'll learn essential Chinese phrases for making and responding to apologies. Practice saying 对不起 (excuse me / sorry) and 没关系 (no problem) to handle everyday situations politely.
Dialogue
A
对不起。
dwee boo chee Excuse me.
B
没关系。
may gwahn shee No problem.
A
我为此感到抱歉。
waw way tsuh gahn-dao bao-chyen I'm sorry about that.
B
没事的。
may shir duh It's fine.
A
你还好吗？
nee hwahn hao mah Are you okay?
B
我没事。
waw may shir I'm okay.Word by Word
对
A prefix meaning 'toward' or 'facing'. In 对不起, it forms part of the apology expression.
不
Negation particle meaning 'not'. Used to negate verbs and adjectives.
起
Means 'to rise' or 'to get up'. In 对不起, together it means 'I cannot face you' — expressing that one is unable to meet expectations.
没
Negation particle for 'there is no' or 'have not'. Used before nouns and verb phrases.
关系
Means 'relationship' or 'connection / matter'. In 没关系, it means 'no matter' — a common response to apologies meaning 'no problem'.
我
First person pronoun meaning 'I' or 'me'.
为此
Means 'for this' or 'because of this'. It refers back to a previously mentioned action or situation.
感到
Verb meaning 'to feel' or 'to sense'. Used before emotions or states.
抱歉
Adjective/verb meaning 'to be sorry' or 'to feel apologetic'. A formal way to express regret.
的
A particle with multiple uses. At the end of 没事的, it softens the statement and adds a reassuring tone.
你
Second person pronoun meaning 'you'.
还
Adverb meaning 'still' or 'yet'. In 你还好吗, it asks if you are 'still' okay.
好
Adjective meaning 'good' or 'well'. Commonly used to express being okay or in good condition.
吗
Question particle placed at the end of a sentence to turn it into a yes/no question.
事
Noun meaning 'matter', 'thing', or 'issue'. In 没事, it means 'nothing's the matter' — expressing that everything is fine.
Grammar Points
对不起 / 抱歉
对不起。/ 我为此感到抱歉。
waw way tsuh gahn-dao bao-chyenExcuse me. / I'm sorry about that.
Two ways to apologize in Chinese
没关系 / 没事的
没关系。/ 没事的。
may gwahn shee / waw may shirNo problem. / It's fine.
Common responses to apologies
Chinese Vocabulary
抱歉
adj
bao-chyen
Sorry / Apologetic
- Pinyin
- bàoqiàn
More formal apology
对不起
intj
dwee boo chee
Excuse me / I'm sorry
- Pinyin
- duìbuqǐ
Used to apologize or get someone's attention
还好
adj
hwahn hao
okay / alright
- Pinyin
- hái hǎo
没关系
phrase
may gwahn shee
No problem / It doesn't matter
- Pinyin
- méi guānxi
Response to an apology
没事
phrase
may shir
It's okay / No worries
- Pinyin
- méi shì
Casual reassurance
没事的
phrase
may shir duh
It's fine / No worries
- Pinyin
- méi shì de
Reassuring response
你
pron
nee
you
- Pinyin
- nǐ
你还好吗
phrase
nee hwahn hao mah
Are you okay?
- Pinyin
- nǐ hái hǎo ma
Asking about someone's wellbeing
我
pron
waw
I / me
- Pinyin
- wǒ
Alternative Expressions
对不起 (Excuse me / Sorry)
- 抱歉 boo hao ee-suh (Sorry (slightly more formal)) - More formal apology
- 不好意思 bao-chyen (Excuse me (softer)) - Softer, used for minor inconveniences
没关系 (No problem)
- 没事 may shir (It’s nothing) - More casual
- 没事的 boo yao jin (It’s fine) - Reassuring tone
Quiz
Word Order
Arrange the words in the correct order.
Excuse me.
Show Answer
对不起。Are you okay?
Show Answer
你还好吗？I'm sorry about that.
Show Answer
我为此感到抱歉。Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
Excuse me / Sorry
Show Answer
对不起No problem
Show Answer
没关系It's fine