How to Say Sorry in Hindi: Casual and Formal
Saying sorry in Hindi is interesting because the borrowed English word sorry is genuinely common, but native phrases carry more sincerity. Here are the words, how to pronounce them, and when each one fits.
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The quick answer
The native way to say sorry is built on माफ़ maaf (maahf), meaning forgiveness. Informally you say माफ़ करो maaf karo (maahf ka-ro), and politely माफ़ कीजिए maaf kijiye (maahf KEE-ji-yeh), both meaning forgive me / sorry.
In everyday speech, especially in cities, people very often just say सॉरी sorry, the English word, for small slips. It is completely normal. For a heartfelt apology, though, the maaf phrases sound more sincere.
Casual ways to say sorry
Among friends, the English sorry is extremely common and sounds natural in casual Hindi. For a native casual apology, use माफ़ करो maaf karo to a friend, or the noun माफ़ी maafi (MAA-fee) in phrases like माफ़ी चाहता हूँ maafi chahta hoon (I seek forgiveness, said by a male) or माफ़ी चाहती हूँ maafi chahti hoon (said by a female).
Note the gender agreement in that last phrase: chahta for men, chahti for women. For quick, light apologies, sorry or maaf karo does the job.
Formal and polite apologies
In formal or respectful situations, use माफ़ कीजिए maaf kijiye, which is the polite command form and works with elders, strangers, and in professional settings. A more formal, literary alternative is क्षमा करें kshama karein (KSHA-ma ka-rein), using kshama, a Sanskrit-derived word for forgiveness.
You will hear क्षमा कीजिए kshama kijiye in especially polite or written contexts, and in announcements. To ask forgiveness personally, मुझे माफ़ कर दीजिए mujhe maaf kar dijiye means please forgive me.
How sorry is actually used
Worth knowing: in casual Hindi conversation, especially among younger and urban speakers, sorry is used lightly and often, much like in English. It does not always carry deep weight, so people reach for it easily for minor things.
For a serious apology, native speakers switch to माफ़ कीजिए or add sincerity words like सच में sach mein (truly): मुझे सच में माफ़ कर दो mujhe sach mein maaf kar do (please truly forgive me). Matching the weight of the situation is the key skill here.
Hindi sorry phrases at a glance
- सॉरी sorry — borrowed English word, very common and casual
- माफ़ करो maaf karo (maahf ka-ro) — forgive me / sorry, informal
- माफ़ कीजिए maaf kijiye (maahf KEE-ji-yeh) — sorry / forgive me, polite
- माफ़ी चाहता हूँ / चाहती हूँ maafi chahta/chahti hoon — I seek forgiveness (male / female)
- क्षमा करें kshama karein (KSHA-ma ka-rein) — forgive me, formal and literary
- मुझे माफ़ कर दीजिए mujhe maaf kar dijiye — please forgive me, polite
- मुझे बहुत अफ़सोस है mujhe bahut afsos hai — I'm very sorry / I deeply regret
Match the weight: sorry or maaf karo for small slips, maaf kijiye or kshama karein for serious.
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Common mistakes learners make
First, mind the formality. माफ़ करो is informal and can sound abrupt with elders or strangers; use माफ़ कीजिए to be respectful.
Second, the phrase माफ़ी चाहता हूँ changes with the speaker's gender: chahta for men, chahti for women. Getting this wrong is a giveaway that stands out.
Third, the f sound in माफ़ comes from a dot (nuqta) under the letter. Pronounce it as maaf with an f, not maap. It is a small detail that native speakers notice.
How to respond to an apology
When someone apologizes, gentle replies include कोई बात नहीं koi baat nahin (KO-ee baat na-heen, it's nothing / no problem), which is the most common, and ठीक है theek hai (it's okay). A warm कोई बात नहीं instantly puts the other person at ease.
Learning these replies matters because they come up constantly. Being able to wave off an apology smoothly makes you sound comfortable and kind in Hindi.
Make it automatic
Hindi has sounds like the retroflex consonants and the nuqta f that only settle when you say words out loud. Practice maaf kijiye and koi baat nahin until the rhythm feels natural and the gender endings in maafi chahta/chahti come without thinking.
Try a few small scenes aloud: apologizing to an elder, telling a friend sorry, accepting someone's apology. Pick the right phrase and register for each. Rehearsing these short exchanges out loud, even with an AI speaking partner, builds the reflex so the polite form comes out when respect matters.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I just say sorry in Hindi?
Yes, the English word sorry is very common in casual Hindi, especially in cities. For a sincere or formal apology, use maaf kijiye or kshama karein instead.
What is the difference between maaf karo and maaf kijiye?
Maaf karo is informal and used with friends. Maaf kijiye is the polite form for elders, strangers, and formal settings. Both mean forgive me or sorry.
Does the Hindi word for sorry change with gender?
The phrase maafi chahta hoon does. A man says chahta and a woman says chahti. The simpler maaf karo and maaf kijiye stay the same for everyone.
How do I apologize formally in Hindi?
Use maaf kijiye or the more literary kshama karein. To ask forgiveness personally, say mujhe maaf kar dijiye, meaning please forgive me.