We all make mistakes, and sometimes we need to apologize. In French, the most common way to say "sorry" is "désolé". But just like in English, there are many nuances to expressing regret. Whether you've accidentally bumped into someone, forgotten an appointment, or want to express deeper condolences, knowing how to say "sorry" appropriately is crucial for smooth communication and building good relationships. Let's explore 9 different ways to apologize in French, from casual expressions to more formal and heartfelt apologies, so you can always choose the right words for the situation.

The simple and common 'pardon' – Pardon

The word Pardon is one of the most versatile and commonly used expressions in French, serving a variety of polite functions. It's an indispensable part of everyday French communication.

Its most direct translation is 'pardon' or 'I beg your pardon,' and it's frequently used to apologize for minor bumps, unintentional interruptions, or small mistakes. Think of it as a quick, polite acknowledgement of a minor transgression.

Just like 'pardon?' in English, Pardon can be used as a question to indicate you didn't hear or understand something and would like the speaker to repeat it. It's a polite way to ask for clarification without sounding rude.

You can also use Pardon to politely get someone's attention (e.g., in a shop or to ask a question) or to ask someone to move so you can pass, similar to 'excuse me' in English when you need to navigate a crowded space.

Pardon is a universally polite term, appropriate in almost any situation, from casual encounters with friends to more formal settings with strangers. Its simplicity makes it a safe and reliable choice.

While similar to Excusez-moi (or Excuse-moi for informal), Pardon is often perceived as slightly softer or more apologetic, particularly when used for an immediate, small transgression. Excusez-moi is more common for initiating a request, interrupting, or asking permission.

For more serious apologies, or when you feel genuinely sorry for something significant, the verb être désolé(e) (to be sorry) or the expression Je suis désolé(e) (I am sorry) is more appropriate and conveys deeper regret. Pardon is typically for lighter matters.

French speakers use Pardon frequently and naturally in daily interactions. Don't hesitate to incorporate it into your vocabulary; mastering its various uses will significantly enhance your politeness and fluency in French.

💡 * Pardon, je ne vous avais pas vu. (Pardon, I didn't see you.)

• Pardon? Vous pouvez répéter, s'il vous plaît? (Pardon? Can you repeat, please?)
• Pardon, je peux passer? (Excuse me, can I pass?)
• Pardon de vous déranger un instant. (Pardon for bothering you for a moment.)
• Il a dit "pardon" après avoir bousculé la dame. (He said "pardon" after bumping into the lady.)

The standard 'sorry' (and often 'regretful') – Désolé(e)

The standard “sorry” (and often “regretful”) – Désolé(e)

When you need to express an apology or regret in French, the most common and versatile word you'll use is désolé(e). It directly translates to “sorry” or “regretful.”

Désolé(e) is perfect for everyday apologies, whether you've bumped into someone, are running late, or have made a minor mistake. It's the go-to phrase for saying “I'm sorry” in most informal and many formal situations.

Beyond just saying “sorry,” désolé(e) also carries the connotation of being “regretful” or “distressed” by a situation. For instance, you might use it to express sympathy for bad news, even if you weren't directly responsible for it.

As an adjective, désolé(e) must agree in gender and number with the person who is sorry. A male speaker says désolé, while a female speaker says désolée. If multiple people are sorry, it becomes désolés (masculine plural) or désolées (feminine plural).

The most common way to use it is with the verb être (to be): Je suis désolé(e) (I am sorry). You can also add “for” using de: Je suis désolé(e) de vous déranger (I am sorry to bother you).

While there are stronger ways to express deep apologies in French, désolé(e) remains the standard and most frequently used term for expressing regret or saying “sorry.” Its simplicity and broad applicability make it essential for any French learner.

💡 * Je suis désolé, je suis en retard. (I'm sorry, I'm late.)

• Elle est désolée pour ce qui s'est passé. (She is sorry for what happened.)
• Nous sommes désolés de ne pas pouvoir venir. (We are sorry we can't come.)
• Désolé de vous interrompre. (Sorry to interrupt you.)
• Il est désolé d'apprendre la nouvelle. (He is sorry to hear the news.)

The complete 'I am sorry' – Je suis désolé(e)

When you want to express a heartfelt “I am sorry” in French, the most common and complete phrase you’ll use is Je suis désolé(e).

Notice the (e) at the end of désolé. This indicates gender agreement: a male speaker (or a group of males/mixed gender) will say Je suis désolé, while a female speaker (or a group of females) will say Je suis désolée.

Literally, désolé(e) means 'distressed,' 'grieved,' or 'saddened.' This makes Je suis désolé(e) a strong and sincere way to apologize, suitable for most situations, from minor inconveniences to more serious regrets.

To say 'I am sorry for...' you'll typically use the preposition de followed by an infinitive verb, or pour followed by a noun or a past event. For example, désolé de vous déranger (sorry to bother you) or désolé pour le retard (sorry for the delay).

To make your apology even stronger, you can add adverbs like vraiment (really) or tellement (so much) before désolé(e): Je suis vraiment désolé(e) (I am really sorry) or Je suis tellement désolé(e) (I am so sorry).

💡 * Je suis désolé de ne pas pouvoir venir. (I am sorry I can't come.)* Je suis désolée pour le bruit. (I am sorry for the noise.)* Nous sommes vraiment désolés de vous avoir fait attendre. (We are really sorry to have made you wait.)* Il est désolé pour ce qu'il a dit. (He is sorry for what he said.)

The formal 'excuse me' – Excusez-moi

The phrase Excusez-moi is the formal way to say 'excuse me' or 'pardon me' in French. It's essential for polite interactions, especially when addressing strangers or in formal settings.

You use Excusez-moi when speaking to someone you don't know, someone older, a person in a position of authority, or in any situation where politeness and respect are paramount. It's the equivalent of using 'vous' (the formal 'you').

This versatile phrase can be used to get someone's attention, apologize for a minor transgression, ask someone to move, or politely interrupt a conversation.

Remember to distinguish Excusez-moi (formal, plural 'you') from Excuse-moi (informal, singular 'you'). Choosing the correct form demonstrates respect for French social conventions.

💡 *Excusez-moi, pourriez-vous m'aider s'il vous plaît? (Excuse me, could you help me please?)
*Excusez-moi de vous déranger, Monsieur. (Excuse me for disturbing you, Sir.)
*Excusez-moi, je voudrais passer. (Excuse me, I'd like to pass.)
*Excusez-moi, où sont les toilettes? (Excuse me, where are the restrooms?)
*Excusez-moi, j'ai fait une erreur. (Excuse me, I made a mistake.)

The informal 'excuse me' – Excuse-moi

The informal 'excuse me' – Excuse-moi

Excuse-moi directly translates to 'excuse me' or 'pardon me' in French.

It's used in informal situations when addressing a single person you know well, someone younger than you, or in casual public interactions.

You'd use Excuse-moi to get someone's attention, politely interrupt, pass through a crowd, or offer a mild, casual apology.

The key distinction lies in formality. While Excuse-moi is singular and informal (using 'tu'), Excusez-moi is the formal equivalent (using 'vous') or for addressing multiple people.

Remember to use Excuse-moi when speaking to friends, family, or people your age/younger in casual settings where 'tu' would be appropriate.

💡 Excuse-moi, tu peux me passer le sel ? (Excuse me, can you pass me the salt?)
Excuse-moi de t'interrompre, mais j'ai une question. (Excuse me for interrupting, but I have a question.)
Oh, excuse-moi, je ne t'avais pas vu. (Oh, excuse me, I didn't see you.)
Excuse-moi, je dois passer. (Excuse me, I need to pass.)
Excuse-moi, tu as l'heure s'il te plaît ? (Excuse me, do you have the time, please?)

The more direct 'I apologize' – Je m'excuse

While Je suis désolé is a common way to say 'I'm sorry' in French, Je m'excuse offers a more direct and sometimes stronger way to express 'I apologize' or 'I excuse myself'.

The phrase Je m'excuse comes from the reflexive verb s'excuser, which literally means 'to excuse oneself'. Therefore, when you say Je m'excuse, you are essentially saying 'I excuse myself' or 'I am apologizing'.

Unlike Je suis désolé (I am sorry), Je m'excuse often carries a nuance of taking direct responsibility or formally apologizing for a fault. It's frequently used in situations where you are acknowledging an error and explicitly asking for forgiveness, rather than just expressing regret.

While Je m'excuse is grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound a bit formal or even slightly blunt in casual settings. For minor mishaps, Je suis désolé(e) or Pardon are generally preferred. Je m'excuse is more common in public apologies, formal letters, or when admitting a significant mistake.

Use Je m'excuse when you want to make a clear, direct apology, especially in more formal contexts or when you are explicitly taking the blame. For everyday apologies, stick with Je suis désolé(e) or Pardon. Using Je m'excuse for trivial matters might sound overly dramatic or even a bit self-serving, as if you're excusing yourself rather than seeking forgiveness from others.

💡 * Je m'excuse pour le retard. (I apologize for the delay.)

• Je m'excuse de mon erreur. (I apologize for my mistake.)
• Je m'excuse de vous déranger. (I apologize for disturbing you.)
• Nous nous excusons pour le désagrément. (We apologize for the inconvenience.)
• Je m'excuse sincèrement pour ma conduite. (I sincerely apologize for my behavior.)

The formal 'my apologies' – Mes excuses

When you need to express a more formal or serious apology in French, the phrase Mes excuses is an excellent choice. It directly translates to 'my apologies'.

Unlike the more common and versatile Désolé(e) or Pardon, Mes excuses carries a heightened sense of formality and often implies a deeper regret or a more significant transgression. You'd typically use it in professional settings, when addressing superiors, or for situations requiring a strong acknowledgment of fault.

Grammatically, Mes excuses is a plural noun phrase, literally meaning 'my excuses'. However, in this context, 'excuses' functions as 'apologies'. It's a fixed expression, so you won't conjugate a verb with it directly; rather, you present it as a statement of regret.

💡 * Mes excuses pour le retard, Monsieur le Directeur. (My apologies for the delay, Mr. Director.)

• Je vous prie d'accepter mes excuses pour cette erreur regrettable. (Please accept my apologies for this regrettable error.)
• Mes excuses. Je n'aurais pas dû dire ça. (My apologies. I shouldn't have said that.)
• Veuillez agréer mes excuses les plus sincères. (Please accept my most sincere apologies.)

The 'I regret' (for more serious matters) – Je regrette

The phrase Je regrette directly translates to 'I regret' in English. It's a formal and sincere expression used to convey regret or sorrow, often for more significant or impactful situations than a simple 'I'm sorry'.

Unlike the more common and milder 'Je suis désolé(e)' (I am sorry), Je regrette is reserved for deeper feelings of remorse, disappointment, or sorrow regarding actions, events, or decisions with notable consequences. It implies a deeper emotional weight.

When expressing regret for a specific action, Je regrette is often followed by a noun or a verb in the infinitive. For instance, Je regrette mon erreur (I regret my mistake) or Je regrette d'être parti (I regret having left).

You'll often hear Je regrette in formal settings, official apologies, or when someone is expressing genuine remorse for a significant loss or unfortunate event. It carries a sense of gravity and responsibility.

💡 * Je regrette sincèrement ce qui s'est passé. (I sincerely regret what happened.)

• Je regrette d'avoir pris cette décision. (I regret having made that decision.)
• Nous regrettons votre départ. (We regret your departure.)
• Il a exprimé: "Je regrette d'avoir causé tant de problèmes." (He expressed: "I regret having caused so many problems.")
• Je regrette de ne pas avoir pu vous aider. (I regret not having been able to help you.)

The very polite 'please excuse me' – Veuillez m'excuser

When you need to express 'please excuse me' with the highest degree of politeness and formality in French, the phrase you're looking for is Veuillez m'excuser.

Literally, Veuillez m'excuser translates to 'Please be willing to excuse me' or 'Kindly excuse me'. The verb veuillez is the imperative form of vouloir (to want) in the vous form, making it a very polite request rather than a direct command.

This phrase is reserved for situations requiring significant deference or formality. Use it when you are:

• Interrupting someone important.
• Making a formal apology for a significant error.
• Trying to get someone's attention in a very polite, non-intrusive way (e.g., in a formal setting or with a stranger you wish to address respectfully).

While Excusez-moi also means 'excuse me' and is widely used, it carries a more general and less formal tone. Veuillez m'excuser elevates the request to a much higher level of politeness, implying a greater respect for the person being addressed or the situation.

💡 * Veuillez m'excuser, Madame, pour le dérangement. (Please excuse me, Madam, for the inconvenience.)

• Veuillez m'excuser de mon retard. (Please excuse my lateness.)
• Veuillez m'excuser, Monsieur, puis-je vous poser une question ? (Please excuse me, Sir, may I ask you a question?)
• Veuillez m'excuser pour cette erreur. (Please excuse me for this error.)

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

Are there other ways to say “sorry” in French?

Our list features the most common ways to say “sorry” in French. But like any language, French is rich with nuances, offering a spectrum of expressions from formal apologies to casual regrets, and even regional variations you might encounter.

To explore further, 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 on your journey. 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 apologies or regret.

And if you’re looking for a comprehensive list of terms related to apologies, or words about regret in French, the WordReference entry for désolé is a great place to start!

I hope you found this article helpful in navigating the various ways to say “sorry” in French. Remember, expressing remorse is a fundamental part of communication. As the French proverb says, “Faute avouée est à moitié pardonnée” (A fault confessed is half forgiven).