What it means
죄송합니다 is the most formal, deepest apology in Korean — used in professional settings, when speaking to elders, or for serious mistakes. More sincere than 미안해요.
Nuance & when to use
죄송합니다 (most formal/deepest). 죄송해요 (polite). 미안해요 (polite, slightly less formal). 미안 (casual, between friends). In Korean service culture, 죄송합니다 is used constantly — for delays, errors, or even just interrupting someone. Saying 정말 죄송합니다 (truly I'm sorry) shows extreme sincerity.
⚠ Common mistake
Don't use 죄송합니다 with close friends — it sounds overly formal. Use 미안해 (I'm sorry) with peers.
Example sentences
See also
FAQ
When is this used?
죄송합니다 (most formal/deepest). 죄송해요 (polite). 미안해요 (polite, slightly less formal). 미안 (casual, between friends). In Korean service culture, 죄송합니다 is used constantly — for delays, errors, or even just interrupting someone. Saying 정말 죄송합니다 (truly I'm sorry) shows extreme sincerity.
What's a common mistake?
Don't use 죄송합니다 with close friends — it sounds overly formal. Use 미안해 (I'm sorry) with peers.
Ready to learn more Korean?
Get one free Korean lesson every day — straight to your inbox.
Get Daily Korean Free →Free forever · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime