Example: I'm sorry I forgot your birthday yesterday.
Definition
"I'm sorry" is a polite expression used to acknowledge a mistake or express regret for an action or situation, often to apologize or show sympathy. For example, saying "I'm sorry I forgot your birthday yesterday" indicates regret for the oversight.
Translations
lo siento
het spijt me
ho sento
je suis désolé
es tut mir leid
Etymology
The phrase "I'm sorry" originates from the Old English word 'sarig,' meaning distressed or full of sorrow, combined with the contraction of 'I am.' It has evolved into a common English expression used to convey apology or sympathy. Did you know that 'sorry' once meant 'distressed' rather than an apology?
Learn to use this expression actively
"I'm sorry" appears in the Vocaplus list "English - General - Idioms and Proverbs - (A1) - set 1", containing 104 commonly used expressions.
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