When to use it
죄송합니다 is the safe apology for bumping into a stranger, arriving late or talking to staff. 미안해요 is softer and more personal; 미안해 is for friends.
What people say back
괜찮아요 (gwaenchanayo): It's okay
Letter by letter: 미안해요
Korean is written in syllable blocks. Here is what each block of 미안해요 is made of.
| Block | Letters | Sounds |
|---|---|---|
| 미 | ㅁ + ㅣ | ㅁ m, ㅣ i |
| 안 | ㅇ + ㅏ + ㄴ | ㅇ silent, ㅏ a, ㄴ n (at the end) |
| 해 | ㅎ + ㅐ | ㅎ h, ㅐ ae |
| 요 | ㅇ + ㅛ | ㅇ silent, ㅛ yo |
New to the letters? Tap through the Hangul chart to hear each one.
How to type it
On a standard Korean keyboard (2-set), press these keys in order:
AㅁLㅣDㅇKㅏSㄴGㅎOㅐDㅇYㅛ
Practice with the online Korean keyboard, or learn the layout in the typing test.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say "Sorry" in Korean?
The everyday polite way is 미안해요 (mianhaeyo). The formal version is 죄송합니다. With close friends, say 미안해.
How do you pronounce 미안해요?
It sounds like "mianhaeyo". Press the speaker button on this page to hear it.
Romanization: Revised Romanization of Korean, with sound changes. Audio: a recorded native-sounding Korean voice.
Last checked: 2026-10-20