How to Say Sorry in Dutch: Casual and Formal
Dutch is refreshingly practical about apologies, and the English word sorry is fully at home in it. Still, there is a proper native phrase for real regret. Here are the words, how to say them, and when to use each.
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What's in this guide
The quick answer
The Dutch genuinely say Sorry (pronounced much like English) all the time, for small slips and interruptions. It is completely normal and native-sounding in casual speech.
When you feel real regret, the native phrase is Het spijt me (het spite muh), literally it grieves me. That is the one for a sincere apology, when a light sorry would not carry enough weight.
Casual ways to say sorry
In everyday casual Dutch, Sorry is your default and nobody will blink. You can soften or lengthen it with Sorry hoor (sorry, with a friendly filler hoor) to sound warmer and less blunt.
For a quick admission of a small mistake, people also say Oeps, sorry (oops, sorry). Among friends this is all you need for minor things like bumping someone or a tiny error. It is light and unfussy.
Formal and polite apologies
In formal settings, the noun Excuses (ex-KEW-zes, apologies) is common, as in Mijn excuses (my apologies) or Excuses voor het ongemak (apologies for the inconvenience). This reads as polished and professional.
To interrupt or get past someone politely, use Pardon (par-DON) or Neem me niet kwalijk (name muh neet KVAH-lek), a slightly formal excuse me / don't hold it against me. In writing you may also see Het spijt me zeer (I'm very sorry).
Using Het spijt me correctly
Het spijt me is about genuine regret, so save it for when you have actually done something wrong or feel for someone. You can intensify it: Het spijt me echt (I'm really sorry) or Het spijt me heel erg (I'm very sorry).
The structure is worth noting: the subject is het (it), and me is the person affected. You can swap me for the polite u in very formal situations, though het spijt me is standard. Do not use this phrase as a casual excuse-me; that is what Sorry and Pardon are for.
Dutch sorry phrases at a glance
- Sorry (like English) — casual sorry / excuse me, very common
- Sorry hoor (sorry hore) — friendlier, softened sorry
- Het spijt me (het spite muh) — I'm sorry (genuine regret)
- Het spijt me echt (het spite muh ekht) — I'm really sorry
- Pardon (par-DON) — excuse me / pardon
- Mijn excuses (mine ex-KEW-zes) — my apologies, formal
- Neem me niet kwalijk (name muh neet KVAH-lek) — excuse me / don't hold it against me, formal
Match the weight: Sorry or Pardon for slips, Het spijt me for real regret.
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Common mistakes English speakers make
First, do not overthink Sorry. Learners sometimes assume it is too informal to be real Dutch, but it is genuinely used everywhere in casual speech. Switch to Het spijt me only when you mean sincere regret.
Second, the phrase is Het spijt me, not a word-for-word Ik ben sorry, which is not Dutch. Keep the fixed structure with het at the front.
Third, the Dutch g and k in kwalijk use that throaty sound Dutch is known for. It takes practice, so do not be surprised if it feels rough at first.
How to respond to an apology
When someone apologizes, easy replies include Geen probleem (no problem), Geeft niks (it doesn't matter), and Het is goed (it's fine). A relaxed Maakt niet uit (it doesn't matter) is common too.
These short answers keep things friendly and moving. They are worth learning next to the apologies, since you will use them just as often on the receiving end.
Make it automatic
The tricky part of Dutch apologies is not the vocabulary, it is the throaty g and the rhythm of Het spijt me. Those only settle when you say the words out loud, so practice the full phrase until it flows in one smooth beat.
Try a few small scenes aloud: bumping someone in a shop, arriving late to meet a friend, telling a colleague you made an error. Pick the right phrase for each. Rehearsing these short exchanges out loud, even with an AI speaking partner, builds the reflex and helps that Dutch g feel natural.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I just say Sorry in Dutch?
Yes, the Dutch use Sorry constantly in casual speech and it sounds completely native. For sincere regret, switch to Het spijt me.
What is the difference between Sorry and Het spijt me?
Sorry is a light, casual apology or excuse me. Het spijt me expresses genuine regret and is what you say when you have actually hurt or let someone down.
How do I apologize formally in Dutch?
Use Mijn excuses or Excuses for a polished apology, and Neem me niet kwalijk or Pardon to interrupt politely. In writing, Het spijt me zeer works well.
How do you pronounce Het spijt me?
Roughly het spite muh. The spij part sounds like the English word spite, and me is a short muh. Keep it as one smooth phrase.