미안해 (mianhae)
"Sorry" in informal Korean — the casual way to apologize to friends, family, or close peers.
- Meaning: "Sorry" in informal Korean — the casual way to apologize to friends, family, or close peers.
- Pronunciation: /mi.an.ɦɛ/ (mianhae)
- Part of speech: verb (informal speech level)
- Formality: Casual — for friends, family, and close peers.
- Literal: I am sorry / I feel apologetic
What does 미안해 mean?
Mianhae (미안해) is the casual way to say "sorry" in Korean — for friends, family, and close peers, and for small everyday mistakes. With strangers, elders, or anyone you address respectfully, switch to the formal 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida).
미안해 (mianhae) is the informal "sorry" for everyday small mistakes among close people. It comes from 미안하다 (mianhada, "to be sorry / to feel apologetic"), with the -해 informal ending. The polite-informal version 미안해요 (mianhaeyo) adds 요. The formal version 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida) is what you say to strangers, customers, bosses, or anyone you address respectfully. Korean apology grammar reflects social distance: minor mistakes between friends → 미안해, anything more serious or with someone above you → 죄송합니다. K-dramas use the choice between 미안 vs 죄송합니다 as a relationship signal — the moment a couple drops from formal to 미안해 marks intimacy.
Examples in context
Casual standalone "sorry"
For friends and partners; 미안 (clipped) is even more casual.
Apologizing for something specific
Attach the reason with -아/어서 ("sorry for ~ing").
The formal upgrade (죄송합니다)
With strangers, elders, or serious matters, switch verbs to 죄송하다 → 죄송합니다.
The most serious apology
For grave apologies Koreans escalate beyond 죄송합니다 to admitting fault outright.
Responding to an apology
To accept, Koreans say 괜찮아 (it's okay) or 아니야 (no worries).
미안해in K-pop & K-drama
K-dramas: the register switch
Screenwriters use the move from formal 죄송합니다 to casual 미안해 the same way they use 오빠 or 반말 — to mark a relationship turning intimate. A character still saying 죄송합니다 is keeping distance; the first 미안해 signals the walls coming down.
The public-apology ritual
When Korean celebrities or companies apologize, they issue a formal 죄송합니다 — often a written 사과문 (apology statement) and a press conference with a deep bow (고개 숙여 사과). The depth of the bow and the formality of the wording are read closely as a measure of sincerity.
미안 vs 죄송 — calibrating distance
Korean social life apologizes readily, and the exact word does real work: 미안해 for a friend you bumped into, 죄송합니다 for a stranger or your boss, and full 잘못했습니다 when you are truly at fault. Picking the wrong rung — 미안해 to an elder — instantly sounds rude.
When to use 미안해
- Apologizing to friends, family, romantic partners
- Small everyday mistakes — being late, forgetting something
- Texting close people
- When tone is informal but you genuinely regret
When NOT to use 미안해
- With strangers, customers, or anyone older / higher-ranked (use 죄송합니다)
- Serious mistakes that require formal apology
- Workplace contexts
- Public/published apologies
미안해 vs. similar terms
The Korean "sorry" ladder — from casual to formal
| Register | Expression | Romanization | Use with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casual | 미안해 / 미안 | mianhae / mian | close friends, younger people |
| Polite-casual | 미안해요 | mianhaeyo | acquaintances, slightly senior |
| Formal | 죄송합니다 | joesonghamnida | strangers, work, elders |
| Most serious | 잘못했습니다 / 사과드립니다 | jalmotaetseumnida / sagwadeurimnida | grave or public apologies |
Related terms
More in Politeness
Greetings, thanks, apologies, support — the social-glue vocabulary.
"I love you" in informal Korean — used between close friends, family, and romantic partners.
A cheering exclamation meaning "let's go!", "you can do it!", or "good luck!" — Korean's universal encouragement word.
"Hi" or "bye" in informal Korean — the casual version of the polite 안녕하세요.
"Thank you" in formal Korean — the safest, most universally appropriate way to express gratitude.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say "sorry" in Korean?
The casual "sorry" is 미안해 (mianhae) — for friends and close people. The polite version is 미안해요 (mianhaeyo). The formal "I apologize" is 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida) — for strangers, work, or serious situations. Use 죄송합니다 when in doubt.
What is the difference between 미안해 and 죄송합니다?
미안해 (mianhae) is informal — for friends, family, peers, small mistakes. 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida) is formal — for strangers, customers, elders, bosses, or serious mistakes. They use different verb roots and signal completely different relationships.
Can I say 미안해 to a stranger?
No. 미안해 sounds rude or overly familiar to a stranger. Use 죄송합니다 instead. Saving 미안해 for people you address casually is one of the first politeness rules learners practice.
How is 미안해 pronounced?
미안해 is pronounced [mi.an.ɦɛ] — "mee-ahn-heh." Three syllables, all light. The final 해 rhymes with the English word "head" minus the D. Note: 미안 is sometimes shortened on its own as a quick informal "sorry."
What is the difference between 미안해 and 미안?
미안 is just 미안해 with the verb ending dropped — a quick, clipped "sorry" between close friends, like saying "my bad." 미안해 is the full casual form. Both are informal; 미안 is breezier and more offhand, so save it for people you are relaxed with.
How do you respond to 미안해?
To accept an apology casually, say 괜찮아 (gwaenchana, "it's okay") or 아니야 (aniya, "no worries"). In formal situations the reply is 괜찮습니다 (gwaenchanseumnida). Often Koreans soften it further with 신경 쓰지 마 ("don't worry about it").
More Korean slang?
Browse the full Korean Slang Dictionary or read the deep-dive: Korean Slang Ultimate Guide.