Saying “sorry” is one of the most important things you can do in any language. Fortunately, in French, you have a variety of ways to apologize, from a simple “excuse me” to a deeper, more formal apology. Therefore, knowing the right phrase can help you sound more sincere and polite. This guide will walk you through how to say “sorry” in French, covering the common phrases, their nuances, and how to use them in different situations.
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How to Say “Excuse Me”
The phrase “excuse me” is used for two main reasons: to get someone’s attention or to apologize for a minor incident, like accidentally bumping into someone.
The Direct Translation: Excusez-moi
The most common way to say “excuse me” is with these two phrases. Excusez-moi is the formal version, used when you are speaking to a stranger, an authority figure, or a group of people. On the other hand, excuse-moi is the casual version, used with friends, family and children.
Click here to hear how to pronounce excusez-moi.
Please Excuse Me: Veuillez m’excuser
If you want to be extra polite, especially in a professional setting, you can use veuillez m’excuser, which is the most formal option, translating to “please excuse me.”
How about je m’excuse?
Now, “je m’excuse” is debated among French speakers. For instance, it is widely used in Canada. But in France, some people think it’s nonsense as it literally means “I excuse myself” which does sound rude in English. Indeed, how dare you excuse yourself? However, in French it does have both meanings, to excuse and to apologize.
So, although The French Academy (the main council validating the French language) doesn’t give a clear answer regarding this matter, the Office québécois de la langue française legitimately claims that it’s fine.
How to Say “I’m Sorry”
When you’ve made a mistake and want to share that you feel bad about it, you use these phrases.
The Literal Translation: Je suis désolé(e)
The literal translation of “I’m sorry” is je suis désolé. Additionally, you might also hear the shorter, more casual version, désolé. If you are a woman, you add an “e” to the end, making it je suis désolée, although the pronunciation stays exactly the same.
Click here to hear how to pronounce désolé.
Adding Emphasis to Your Apology
To show how truly sorry you are, you can add adverbs to your apology:
- Je suis vraiment désolé: “I am really sorry.”
- Je suis sincèrement désolé: “I am sincerely sorry.”
- Je suis profondément désolé: “I am deeply sorry.”
Asking for Forgiveness: Pardon
The word pardon can be used as a standalone apology, similar to how we use “pardon” in English. For instance, when you didn’t hear what someone said and want them to repeat it. But in French, it’s also used the same way as the word “sorry” in English. Alternatively, a more formal way to ask for forgiveness is je vous demande pardon, which is the full sentence, literally meaning “I ask for forgiveness.”
Click here to hear how to pronounce pardon.
Putting It All Together: A Sincere Apology
Finally, to create a complete and sincere apology, you can combine these phrases. For example, you can say, “je suis désolé, je vous demande pardon,” to express that you feel sorry and to ask for forgiveness. This combination is very effective and shows a deeper level of regret.
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