How common it is
对不起 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say duìbuqǐ slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
当你说错话或做了错误的事情时，可以说‘对不起’来表示歉意。
当你说错话或做了错误的事情时，可以说‘对不起’来表示歉意。
Context note
‘对不起’常用于道歉、请求原谅或者在别人帮助你之后。
‘对不起’常用于道歉、请求原谅或者在别人帮助你之后。
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.