I Am Sorry in Cantonese

In this article, we are going to learn how to apologize in Cantonese Chinese, specifically how to say I am Sorry in Cantonese Chinese. Whether you’re traveling to Hong Kong, connecting with Cantonese-speaking friends, or simply expanding your linguistic skills, knowing how to say “sorry” can be incredibly useful. Apologizing is a fundamental part of any language, and mastering it in Cantonese will help you navigate social situations with grace and respect. Let’s dive into the nuances of Cantonese apologies and ensure you’re prepared for any situation!

The Cantonese version of “Excuse me”

唔好意思 m4 hou2 ji3 si1

“Excuse me” works the same compared in English. When you need to get through a crowd or to get attention from somebody, you can say “excuse me” 唔好意思 m4 hou2 ji3 si1.

You can also use it as an apology, for example, when you tapped someone’s back by accident. In the following situations you can use 唔好意思 m4 hou2 ji3 si1:

• You kicked someone lightly by mistake
• Dialed a wrong number
• Get someone’s attention
• Ask people to wait

Listen to the audio track below to learn the pronunciation in Cantonese

“I Am Sorry” in Cantonese is 對唔住 deoi3 m4 zyu6 but we don’t say “I Am”

For something a bit more serious, you should say 對唔住 deoi3 m4 zyu6. In English we say “I am” before “sorry,” but in Cantonese, we don’t say “I am.” Therefore you don’t hear people say “I am sorry” in Cantonese 我係好對唔住 ngo5 hai6 hou2 deoi3 m4 zyu6.

In situations such as:

• You dropped someone’s phone
• You knocked someone over by accident
• You poured coffee over someone’s notepad
• You stepped on someone’s foot on the train

Listen to the audio track below to learn the pronunciation in Cantonese

How to say I am “Very sorry” in Cantonese

Worst case scenario, you should add 好 deoi3, which means “very”, which is 好對唔住 hou2 deoi3 m4 zyu6

Say this in the following situations:

• You pour your drink on your mother-in-law’s Hermes bag
• You scratched your father-in-law’s BMW
• You forgot to attend your wife’s family dinner
• You forgot to take off your shoes after you entered an Asian household.

Listen to the audio track below to learn the pronunciation in Cantonese

Conclusion

It’s never pleasant to run into situations when you need to apologise to someone in Cantonese. But knowing how to do so will give you a get-out-of-jail card or at least cool down the situation a bit. Now you have learned how to say I am sorry in Cantonese Chinese. We also have articles teaching other useful Cantonese phrases as well. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and check out our videos on YouTube.