mianhae vs joesonghamnida
Mianhae vs Joesonghamnida: Casual vs Formal Sorry in Korean
미안해
mianhae · mianhae
죄송합니다
joesonghamnida · joesonghamnida
Quick answer
Mianhae (미안해) is a casual 'sorry' between friends and equals, while joesonghamnida (죄송합니다) is a deeply respectful and formal apology used toward elders or in serious situations.
Comparison table
| Aspect | mianhae | joesonghamnida |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Sorry / I'm sorry (casual) | I'm very sorry / I apologize (formal, sincere) |
| Formality | Casual — friends, family, close peers | Formal — elders, strangers, public apologies |
| Emotional weight | Everyday sorry, light to moderate situations | Heavier — implies real remorse and respect |
| Safe with elders? | Can sound dismissive to someone older than you | Always appropriate, even expected |
| K-drama context | Between friends, romantic partners after a fight | Formal apologies, bowing to a parent or boss |
mianhae examples
미안해, 늦었어.
Mianhae, neujeosseo.
Sorry, I'm late.
미안해요, 제가 실수했어요.
Mianhaeyo, jega silsuhaesseoyo.
I'm sorry, I made a mistake. (polite form)
joesonghamnida examples
정말 죄송합니다.
Jeongmal joesonghamnida.
I'm truly sorry.
불편을 드려서 죄송합니다.
Bulpyeoneul deuryeoseo joesonghamnida.
I'm sorry for the inconvenience.
Which one should you use?
With a friend or partner after a small fight, mianhae is warm and natural. If you're apologizing to someone older, a boss, or in a public/formal context, reach for joesonghamnida. The polite middle option is mianhaeyo (미안해요) — still personal but shows respect.
FAQ
What's the polite version of mianhae?
Mianhaeyo (미안해요) — add -yo to make it polite. It's softer than joesonghamnida but still respectful enough for most everyday situations.
Is joesonghamnida ever used between friends?
Occasionally to be playfully over-dramatic, but in genuine use it's reserved for formal or serious apologies. Between close friends mianhae is the natural choice.
Which apology do you hear more in K-dramas?
Mianhae (미안해) is far more common in drama dialogue because most scenes are between people who know each other. Joesonghamnida appears in formal confrontations or apologies to elders.