How to Say Sorry in Vietnamese: Casual and Formal
Vietnamese sorry starts from one clear phrase, then gets more polite depending on the pronouns you add for the person you are addressing. Here is the phrase, how tones shape it, and how to make it warmer or more formal.
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What's in this guide
The quick answer
The core phrase is Xin lỗi (sin loy). It means sorry and excuse me, so it works for apologizing, interrupting, and getting attention. It is polite on its own and is your reliable default in almost any situation.
To make it a full I'm sorry, you add a pronoun for yourself and often for the listener. A simple version is Tôi xin lỗi (toy sin loy), I'm sorry, using the neutral tôi for I.
How pronouns make it polite
Vietnamese has no single word for you. You address people by their social role or relative age, and this shapes how polite an apology sounds. For example, to an older man you might say Xin lỗi anh (sorry, older brother) and to an older woman Xin lỗi chị (sorry, older sister).
You do not need to master every pronoun to be understood, since Xin lỗi alone is polite. But adding the right term of address makes your apology feel respectful and natural, and it is worth learning the common ones as you go.
Casual ways to say sorry
Among friends and peers, Xin lỗi works well, and you can soften it with nhé: Xin lỗi nhé (sin loy nyeh) feels friendly and light, like sorry, okay?. Young people also mix in the English sorry casually.
For a small slip with someone your own age, Xin lỗi or Xin lỗi nhé is natural and relaxed. Keep the tone gentle and it will land well.
Formal and sincere apologies
For a sincere, formal apology, use the fuller Tôi thành thật xin lỗi (toy tan-tat sin loy), meaning I sincerely apologize. The word thành thật adds sincerity and weight.
With elders or in respectful settings, pair Xin lỗi with the proper term of address, such as Xin lỗi anh, Xin lỗi chị, or Xin lỗi cô / Xin lỗi chú for an older woman or man of your parents' generation. This shows respect clearly.
Vietnamese sorry phrases at a glance
- Xin lỗi (sin loy) — sorry / excuse me, all-purpose and polite
- Tôi xin lỗi (toy sin loy) — I'm sorry (neutral I)
- Xin lỗi nhé (sin loy nyeh) — sorry, friendly and soft
- Xin lỗi anh / chị (sin loy ang / chee) — sorry (to an older man / older woman)
- Tôi thành thật xin lỗi (toy tan-tat sin loy) — I sincerely apologize
Start with Xin lỗi, then add the right pronoun for the person to sound respectful.
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Common mistakes learners make
First, Vietnamese is tonal, and lỗi carries a specific tone (a dipping, glottal tone marked by the little hook). Getting the tone roughly right matters, though context helps. Reading it flat can make it unclear.
Second, do not force the English word you. Vietnamese uses relationship pronouns like anh, chị, em. When unsure, plain Xin lỗi is safe and polite.
Third, the x in Xin is an s sound in modern speech, so say sin, not zin or ex-in.
How to respond to an apology
When someone apologizes, a common, gracious reply is Không sao (khong sao), meaning it's okay / no problem. You may also hear Không sao đâu for a warmer it's really fine.
This phrase is everywhere in daily life and pairs naturally with Xin lỗi. Learning it means you can both apologize and accept an apology smoothly.
Make it automatic
Vietnamese tones are the whole game, and they only settle when you say words out loud rather than read them. Practice Xin lỗi with its dipping tone on lỗi until it sounds clear and natural.
Try a few small scenes aloud: getting past someone, apologizing to an older person with the right pronoun, saying sorry to a friend with nhé. Choose the fitting form each time. Rehearsing these short exchanges out loud, even with an AI speaking partner, trains both the words and the tones so they come out right when it counts.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you say sorry in Vietnamese?
The core phrase is Xin lỗi, meaning sorry or excuse me. For I'm sorry you can say Tôi xin lỗi, and add a pronoun for the person to sound more polite.
Why do pronouns matter when apologizing in Vietnamese?
Vietnamese has no single word for you. You address people by role or relative age, such as anh or chị, and using the right one makes an apology feel respectful.
How do you pronounce Xin lỗi?
Roughly sin loy. The x is an s sound, and lỗi carries a dipping, glottal tone marked by the hook above the o.
How do I apologize sincerely in Vietnamese?
Say Tôi thành thật xin lỗi, meaning I sincerely apologize. With elders, pair Xin lỗi with the proper term of address like anh, chị, cô, or chú.