Sorry in Chinese - A Deep Dive into the Mandarin Word 'duì bù qǐ'

What Does 对不起 Mean in English?

The word 对不起 is a common Chinese expression that translates to 'sorry' in English. It is used to apologize or express regret for a mistake, just as we use 'sorry' in English. However, like many Chinese phrases, 对不起 can be broken down into components that provide a deeper meaning:

对 (duì) - means 'to' or 'towards.' 不起 (bù qǐ) - can be translated as 'cannot rise.'

So the phrase 对不起, when examined more closely, suggests a meaning along the lines of 'unable to raise (one's head)' due to shame or regret, a sentiment that aligns with our understanding of apology.

How do We Pronounce 对不起?

So, how is 对不起 pronounced? The pinyin for 对不起 is 'duì bù qǐ.'

• 对 (duì) - dway
• 不 (bù) - boo
• 起 (qǐ) - chee

Synonyms for 对不起

The Mandarin language is abundant with synonyms for 对不起, which include:

• 抱歉 (bào qiàn) - regret
• 对不住 (duì bu zhù) - sorry (more colloquial)
• 道歉 (dào qiàn) - apologize

These synonyms can be used interchangeably with 对不起 based on the context and formality of the conversation.

Common Sentences with 对不起

Here are some commonly used sentences with 对不起:

• 对不起，我迟到了。(Duìbùqǐ, wǒ chídàole.) "Sorry, I'm late."
• 对不起，我忘记了。(Duìbùqǐ, wǒ wàngjìle.) "Sorry, I forgot."
• 我真的很对不起。(Wǒ zhēn de hěn duìbùqǐ.) "I am really sorry."

Through these examples, you'll be able to practice both hearing and using the phrase 对不起 in daily conversation.

To Wrap Up

This blog is ideal for anyone whose first language is English but is keen to study the Mandarin language. By understanding elements such as the English translation (英文翻译 yīngwén fānyì), pinyin (拼音 pīnyīn), stroke order (笔顺 bǐ shùn), synonyms (同义词 tóngyì cí), and common phrase usage, you'll get a sense of how the Mandarin language is structured and used.

Stay tuned (保持关注 bǎochí guānzhù) for upcoming posts where we will delve into more Mandarin words and phrases, helping you to navigate this rich language with confidence.

Thanks for reading!

"Life is like a book. If you have not traveled, then you have only read one page." - Confucius.