We all make mistakes, and sometimes, a simple 'I'm sorry' just doesn't cut it. Especially when you're speaking a new language like French! You might think 'Je suis désolé' is your go-to phrase, but just like in English, there are many nuanced ways to express regret, sympathy, or even just a polite excuse. Ready to go beyond the basics and master the art of apologizing in French? Let's explore 9 different ways to say 'I'm sorry' for every situation imaginable.

The standard 'I'm sorry' – Je suis désolé(e)

The standard “I'm sorry” – Je suis désolé(e)

Je suis désolé(e) is the most common and standard way to say “I'm sorry” or “I apologize” in French.

Like many French adjectives, désolé must agree with the speaker in gender and number: désolé - a male speaker, désolée - a female speaker, désolés - multiple male speakers or a mixed group, désolées - multiple female speakers.

This phrase is highly versatile and can be used in most situations, from informal apologies to slightly more formal ones, though it's not the most formal option available.

While 'Je suis désolé(e)' directly translates to 'I am sorry', it often carries a stronger sense of regret or genuine sorrow than a simple 'Pardon' might. It's used when you genuinely feel bad about something.

You can intensify your apology by adding adverbs like vraiment (really) or tellement (so much): Je suis vraiment désolé(e) (I am really sorry) or Je suis tellement désolé(e) (I am so sorry).

For minor offenses like bumping into someone, Pardon is often more appropriate. For seeking attention or interrupting, Excusez-moi (formal) or Excuse-moi (informal) are used.

Use Je suis désolé(e) when you've made a mistake, caused inconvenience, or want to express genuine sympathy. For lighter apologies or to get someone's attention, Pardon or Excusez-moi are generally preferred.

French people tend to use 'Pardon' more frequently for minor inconveniences than 'Je suis désolé(e)'. Reserving 'Je suis désolé(e)' for more significant apologies makes it more impactful when used.

💡 * Je suis désolé, j'ai oublié notre rendez-vous. (I'm sorry, I forgot our appointment.)

• Elle est désolée pour le retard. (She is sorry for the delay.)
• Nous sommes désolés d'apprendre la nouvelle. (We are sorry to hear the news.)
• Je suis vraiment désolée de t'avoir fait attendre. (I am really sorry for making you wait.)
• Ils étaient désolés de ne pas pouvoir venir. (They were sorry they couldn't come.)

The simple 'Pardon' or 'Excuse me' – Pardon

The simple 'Pardon' or 'Excuse me' – Pardon

The French word Pardon is incredibly versatile, serving as the equivalent of both 'Sorry' and 'Excuse me' in many everyday situations. It's an essential word for politeness in French.

One of its most common uses is to express a quick apology for a small faux pas, like accidentally bumping into someone, stepping on a foot, or interrupting a conversation. It's a polite way to acknowledge a minor transgression without needing a lengthy explanation.

Just like 'Excuse me' in English, you can say Pardon to politely get someone's attention, perhaps to ask a question, or when you need to pass through a crowded space. It clears the way respectfully.

Another frequent application of Pardon is when you haven't quite heard or understood what someone said. In this context, it functions as 'Could you repeat that?' or 'What was that?' It's a concise way to ask for clarification.

Unlike many French verbs, Pardon is an invariant word. It doesn't change based on who is speaking or who you're speaking to, making it wonderfully simple to use in any situation without worrying about conjugations.

While Excusez-moi (or Excuse-moi for informal situations) also means 'Excuse me,' Pardon often carries a slightly softer, more apologetic, or less formal tone for minor situations. Both are widely accepted, but Pardon is often the first choice for quick, polite interactions.

💡 * Pardon, je n'ai pas entendu. (Sorry, I didn't hear.)

• Pardon, vous pouvez répéter? (Excuse me, can you repeat that?)
• Pardon, puis-je passer? (Excuse me, may I pass?)
• Oh, pardon! J'ai laissé tomber mon stylo. (Oh, sorry! I dropped my pen.)
• Pardon, monsieur, quelle heure est-il? (Excuse me, sir, what time is it?)

The formal 'Excuse me' – Excusez-moi

When you need to say 'Excuse me' in a formal context or to multiple people in French, you'll use Excusez-moi.

This phrase is perfect for politely interrupting someone, asking for attention, or offering a formal apology, particularly if you've bumped into someone or made a minor mistake.

The -ez ending on Excusez signifies the vous form. This is used for formal address (to someone you don't know well, an elder, or a superior) or when addressing more than one person.

You would typically use Excusez-moi when speaking to a shopkeeper, a stranger on the street, or a group of colleagues, maintaining politeness and respect.

It's important to differentiate Excusez-moi from the informal Excuse-moi, which uses the tu form and is reserved for friends, family, or children.

💡 * Excusez-moi, monsieur, où se trouve la gare? (Excuse me, sir, where is the train station?)* Excusez-moi de vous déranger. (Excuse me for disturbing you.)* Excusez-moi, je ne l'ai pas fait exprès. (Excuse me, I didn't do it on purpose.)* Excusez-moi, puis-je passer? (Excuse me, may I pass?)

The informal, short 'Sorry' – Désolé(e)

The French word for 'sorry' in an informal context is désolé(e). It's a quick, common way to express regret for minor inconveniences or small mistakes.

Désolé(e) is used in casual situations, much like saying 'My bad' or a simple 'Sorry!' in English. It's suitable for apologizing to friends, family, or people you have an informal relationship with.

The spelling of désolé(e) changes based on the speaker's gender. A male speaker says or writes désolé (without the 'e'), while a female speaker says or writes désolée (with an 'e').

While désolé(e) can stand alone, it's very often preceded by Je suis ('I am') to form Je suis désolé(e), meaning 'I am sorry'. Both forms are commonly used depending on the emphasis.

💡 *Désolé, j'ai oublié ton livre. (Sorry, I forgot your book. - male speaker)
*Désolée, je suis en retard. (Sorry, I'm late. - female speaker)
*Oh, désolé ! J'ai marché sur ton pied. (Oh, sorry! I stepped on your foot.)
*Je suis désolé, je n'ai pas pu venir. (I am sorry, I couldn't come. - male speaker)
*Elle est désolée pour le dérangement. (She is sorry for the inconvenience.)

The 'I regret it' – Je regrette

The phrase Je regrette directly translates to 'I regret it' or 'I am sorry for it' in French.

It's used to express regret, remorse, or sorrow over a past action, decision, or situation. It signifies a feeling of wishing something had not happened or had been different.

Je regrette is a standard, polite, and universally understood expression. It's appropriate in both formal and informal contexts when you truly feel remorse.

You can use Je regrette followed by a noun, an infinitive verb, or a clause introduced by que (which then requires the subjunctive mood). For example, Je regrette mon erreur (I regret my mistake), Je regrette de partir (I regret leaving), or Je regrette que tu partes (I regret that you are leaving).

It's important to distinguish Je regrette from Je suis désolé(e). While both convey sorrow, Je regrette specifically implies regret for an action or situation, whereas Je suis désolé(e) is more commonly used for a direct apology ('I'm sorry') or to express sympathy.

Use Je regrette when you want to express genuine remorse or a wish that something hadn't happened. For a simple apology, Je suis désolé(e) is generally more appropriate.

💡 *Je regrette d'avoir dit ça. (I regret having said that.)
*Elle regrette sa décision. (She regrets her decision.)
*Nous regrettons que vous ne puissiez pas venir. (We regret that you cannot come.)
*Je regrette profondément cet incident. (I deeply regret this incident.)
*Il regrette de ne pas avoir étudié davantage. (He regrets not having studied more.)

The 'I apologize' – Je m'excuse

The phrase Je m'excuse literally translates to “I excuse myself” or “I am excusing myself.” While it might seem like a direct way to say “I apologize” in French, its usage is often misunderstood by learners.

Unlike I apologize in English, Je m'excuse in French doesn't typically mean you are asking for forgiveness from someone else. Instead, it can imply that you are forgiving yourself, or simply excusing your own actions, which can come across as impolite or even arrogant in many apology contexts.

For a standard, polite apology, the most common and widely accepted phrases are Je suis désolé(e) (I am sorry) or simply Pardon. These are versatile and appropriate for most situations, from minor inconveniences to more serious transgressions.

When you need to express a more formal or profound apology, especially to someone you don't know well or in a professional setting, you can use Je vous demande pardon (I ask your forgiveness) or Je vous prie de m'excuser (I beg you to excuse me). These convey a higher degree of regret and respect.

So, when is Je m'excuse appropriate? Rarely for apologizing to someone. It's more commonly used reflexively, like excusing oneself from a table (Je m'excuse, je dois partir) or if you're making a minor physical imposition, though even then, Pardon is often preferred. For expressing regret to someone, always opt for Je suis désolé(e) or Pardon.

💡 *Pardon, je n'ai pas fait attention. (Sorry, I wasn't paying attention.)
*Je suis désolé(e) pour le retard. (I am sorry for the delay.)
*Je vous demande pardon pour cette erreur. (I ask your forgiveness for this mistake.)
*Je m'excuse, je dois vous quitter. (Excuse me, I have to leave you.)
*Oh, pardon ! (Oh, excuse me! / Oh, sorry!)

The deeply 'sorry' or 'heartbroken' – Je suis navré(e)

When you want to express a profound sense of sorrow, regret, or even heartbreak in French, the phrase Je suis navré(e) is the perfect choice. It conveys a much deeper level of apology than a simple désolé.

Unlike the more common Je suis désolé(e) (I am sorry), Je suis navré(e) implies a feeling of being truly distressed, grieved, or even heartbroken by a situation or action. It's often used for more serious matters or when you want to show genuine empathy and regret.

Just like désolé, the past participle navré must agree in gender and number with the subject. So, a male speaker would say Je suis navré, while a female speaker would say Je suis navrée.

💡 * Je suis navré(e) d'apprendre cette terrible nouvelle. (I am deeply sorry to hear this terrible news.)

• Nous sommes navrés pour le dérangement occasionné. (We are truly sorry for the inconvenience caused.)
• Elle était navrée de ne pas pouvoir assister à la cérémonie. (She was heartbroken not to be able to attend the ceremony.)
• Il m'a dit qu'il était navré de son erreur. (He told me he was deeply sorry for his mistake.)

The emphatic 'a thousand apologies' – Mille pardons

The emphatic 'a thousand apologies' – Mille pardons

When a simple 'Pardon' or 'Désolé(e)' isn't enough, French speakers often turn to the more emphatic 'Mille pardons'. Literally meaning 'a thousand apologies,' this phrase conveys a deep sense of regret or a strong desire to apologize profusely.

This expression is used to convey a heightened level of apology, often for a significant inconvenience, a serious mistake, or when you want to be particularly polite and deferential. It's more formal and impactful than a casual apology.

While it sounds very strong, 'Mille pardons' is a relatively common and polite way to express sincere apologies in various situations, from bumping into someone accidentally to a more serious social faux pas. It adds a touch of classic French elegance to your apology.

💡 * Mille pardons, je ne vous avais pas vu! (A thousand apologies, I didn't see you!)* Mille pardons pour le retard, j'ai eu un imprévu. (A thousand apologies for the delay, I had an unforeseen event.)* Je vous prie de bien vouloir accepter mes mille pardons. (I beg you to please accept my thousand apologies.)* Oh, mille pardons! J'ai fait tomber votre sac. (Oh, a thousand apologies! I dropped your bag.)

The 'I ask for your forgiveness' – Je te/vous demande pardon

The phrase Je te demande pardon or Je vous demande pardon directly translates to "I ask for your forgiveness." It is a formal and often heartfelt way to apologize in French, signifying a request for absolution rather than just expressing regret.

The choice between te and vous is crucial, reflecting the level of formality and relationship. Use te (informal) when speaking to a friend, family member, or someone you know well. Use vous (formal or plural) when addressing strangers, elders, superiors, or a group of people.

While Je te/vous demande pardon is quite strong, the single word Pardon is a very versatile and common apology. You can use Pardon for minor mishaps (like bumping into someone) or to ask someone to repeat what they said (similar to 'Excuse me?' or 'Sorry?').

Another frequent way to apologize is Je suis désolé(e), meaning 'I am sorry.' This expression conveys regret or sadness for an action or situation. While Je te/vous demande pardon specifically asks for forgiveness, Je suis désolé(e) expresses empathy or regret for a mistake.

💡 *Je te demande pardon pour mon retard. (I ask for your forgiveness for my lateness.)
*Je vous demande pardon, Madame, pour le désagrément. (I ask for your forgiveness, Madam, for the inconvenience.)
*Pardon, je n'ai pas compris ce que vous avez dit. (Sorry, I didn't understand what you said.)
*Je suis désolé(e) d'avoir oublié ton anniversaire. (I'm sorry I forgot your birthday.)
*Je vous demande pardon de vous avoir offensé. (I ask for your forgiveness for having offended you.)

Are there other ways to say 'I'm sorry' in French?

Are there other ways to say 'I'm sorry' in French?

Our list features the most common ways to say 'I'm sorry' in French. But there are other terms, from old-fashioned ones, to regional ones, to up-and-coming slang ones this middle-aged author might not even be aware of!

You can also do an online search for 'comment dire désolé en ___' followed by a specific Francophone country or region.

You might find some interesting synonyms for désolé or pardon on this list. Of course, make sure to check a word’s definition and try to see it used in context before you use it.

Pay attention as you read, watch, and listen to things in French — you may discover different ways to express regret or apology.

And if you’re looking for more ways to express regret or apology, the WordReference entry for désolé or pardon is a great place to start!

I hope you found this article helpful. Here’s what I think is a perfect sentiment to finish it with: Il n'y a pas de faiblesse à s'excuser, seulement de la force. (There is no weakness in apologizing, only strength.)