SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/zh-sorry

You bump into someone on a crowded subway. How do you say 'I'm sorry' in Mandarin?

Duìbuqǐ (对不起) means I'm sorry.

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  1. duìbuqǐ (对不起) ✔
  2. méi guānxi (没关系)
  3. bú kèqi (不客气)

Why: Duìbuqǐ is the everyday apology. Méi guānxi is the reply, 'it doesn't matter', and bú kèqi means you're welcome.

Huh, didn't know that: Duìbuqǐ can also mean 'to let someone down', so it works for a big apology too.

The dad joke
Why did the cookie say duìbuqǐ? It felt a little crummy about bumping into the milk.
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References

Answer: duìbuqǐ (对不起). Duìbuqǐ is the everyday apology. Méi guānxi is the reply, 'it doesn't matter', and bú kèqi means you're welcome.

  1. MDBG Chinese Dictionary (CC-CEDICT): 对不起 www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdrst=0&wdqb=%E5%AF%B9%E4%B8%8D%E8%B5%B7
    I'm sorry; excuse me; I beg your pardon / to let (sb) down
    Checked 2026-10-12.
  2. Peace Corps China, Chinese Basic Lessons for Invitees (Mandarin) files.peacecorps.gov/multimedia/audio/languagelessons/thepeoplesrepublicofchina/CN_Mandarin_Language_Lessons.pdf
    I am sorry.
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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Test yourself in the game

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That's stuff everyone should know.