What it means
미안해요 is the standard polite apology in Korean — used in everyday situations with people you're not fully close with but not in very formal settings. 미안 is the casual form for close friends.
Nuance & when to use
미안해요 = I'm sorry (polite, everyday). 미안해 = I'm sorry (casual, friends). 미안하다 = to feel sorry. 너무 미안해요 = I'm so sorry. 미안, 내 실수야 = Sorry, my bad. K-dramas: 미안해 often appears in tearful reconciliation scenes between close people.
⚠ Common mistake
Don't use 미안해 with elders or in work settings — use 죄송합니다. The formality hierarchy: 미안 < 미안해요 < 죄송합니다.
Example sentences
See also
FAQ
When is this used?
미안해요 = I'm sorry (polite, everyday). 미안해 = I'm sorry (casual, friends). 미안하다 = to feel sorry. 너무 미안해요 = I'm so sorry. 미안, 내 실수야 = Sorry, my bad. K-dramas: 미안해 often appears in tearful reconciliation scenes between close people.
What's a common mistake?
Don't use 미안해 with elders or in work settings — use 죄송합니다. The formality hierarchy: 미안 < 미안해요 < 죄송합니다.
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