对不起

duì bu qǐ
HSK 1Verb (动)

Basic Meaning

predicate
to be sorry; to apologize; to feel guilty toward someone
This is a very common and polite way to say 'sorry' or 'excuse me' in Chinese.
对人有愧，常用为表示抱歉的客套话。
Synonyms:
抱歉 对不住
Antonyms:
对得起
Sentences:
  1. 对(duì)不(bu)起(qǐ)，我(wǒ)迟(chí)到(dào)了(le)。
    I'm sorry, I'm late.
  2. 对(duì)不(bu)起(qǐ)，我(wǒ)不(bú)是(shì)故(gù)意(yì)的(de)。
    Sorry, I didn't mean to do it.
  3. 你(nǐ)能(néng)再(zài)说(shuō)一(yí)遍(biàn)吗(ma)？对(duì)不(bu)起(qǐ)，我(wǒ)没(méi)听(tīng)清(qīng)。
    Can you say that again? Sorry, I didn't hear you clearly.