Usage note
当你做错事或让别人难过时，可以说“对不起”来表达歉意。
Dāng nǐ zuò cuò shì huò ràng biérén nánguò shí, kěyǐ shuō “duìbuqǐ” lái biǎodá qiànyì.
Use this word to say sorry when you have done something wrong or made someone feel sad.
Context note
当你做错事或打扰别人时，可以说“对不起”来表达歉意。
Dāng nǐ zuò cuò shì huò dǎrǎo biérén shí, kěyǐ shuō “duìbuqǐ” lái biǎodá qiànyì.
Use this word to say sorry when you make a mistake or bother someone.
5 examples
我错了，请原谅我。
wǒ cuò le, qǐng yuánxiáng wǒ.
I was wrong, please forgive me.
对不起，我不小心弄脏了你的衣服。
duì bù qǐ, wǒ bù xiǎn xīn nòng zāng le nǐ de yīfu.
Sorry, I accidentally stained your clothes.
我迟到了，对不起。
wǒ chí dào le, duì bù qǐ.
I'm late, sorry.
谢谢你帮助了我。对不起，给你添麻烦了。
xiè xie nǐ bāngzhù le wǒ. duì bù qǐ, gěi nǐ tiān máfan le.
Thank you for helping me. Sorry, I've given you trouble.
对不起，我不该这么说。
duì bù qǐ, wǒ bù gāi zhème shuō.
Sorry, I shouldn't have said that.
5 mini stories
小明迟到了，他对老师说对不起。
xiǎo míng chí dào le, tā duì lǎoshī shuō duì bù qǐ.
Xiaoming was late and said sorry to the teacher.
妈妈做了错菜，她对爸爸说对不起。
māma zuò le cuò cài, tā duì dàba shuō duì bù qǐ.
Mom made a wrong dish and said sorry to dad.
小红不小心打碎了杯子，她对妈妈说对不起。
xiǎo hóng bù xiǎn xīn dǎ suì le bēi zi, tā duì māma shuō duì bù qǐ.
Xiaohong accidentally broke the cup and said sorry to mom.
小华借了书忘记还，他对朋友说对不起。
xiǎo huá jiè le shū wàng jì huán, tā duì péngyǒu shuō duì bù qǐ.
Xiaohua borrowed a book and forgot to return it, he said sorry to his friend.
小丽不小心踩了别人的脚，她对他说对不起。
xiǎo lì bù xiǎn xīn cǎi le bié de rén de jiǎo, tā duì tā shuō duì bù qǐ.
Xiaoli accidentally stepped on someone's foot and said sorry to them.
Mini dialogue
不小心碰到
A
哎呀！
Āiyā!
Oops!
B
对不起，我不是故意的。
Duìbùqǐ, wǒ bù shì gùyì de.
Sorry, I didn't do it on purpose.
迟到了
A
对不起，我来晚了。
Duìbùqǐ, wǒ lái wǎn le.
Sorry, I am late.
B
没关系，快进来吧。
Méiguānxi, kuài jìnlái ba.
It's okay, come in quickly.
Related words and contrasts
similar
抱歉
bàoqiàn
sorry; apologetic
A slightly more formal way to say sorry.
related
没关系
méiguānxi
it's okay; no problem
The common reply to 'sorry'.