Saying Sorry In English - Level Up Your English Conversation

用英语说抱歉 — 升级您的英语会话

Hi I'm Oli. Welcome to Oxford Online English. I’ve got a question: have you ever forgotten  

嗨，我是Oli。欢迎来到Oxford Online English。我有一个问题：您曾经

your best friend’s birthday, or  been late for an important meeting? 

忘记您最好的朋友的生日吗？或者曾经  在一个重要会议迟到吗？

Have you ever spilt coffee on a friend’s shirt? 

您曾经把咖啡泼到一个朋友的衬衫上吗？

What connects all these situations? 

 所有这些情况与什么有关联？

They’re all situations where you might need to  apologise. If so, what would you say? Of course,  

它们都是您可能需要道歉的情形。如果 是这样，您要说什么？当然，

to apologise, you can just say ‘I’m  sorry’, but there’s much more language  

要道歉，您可能只是说“I’m  sorry”，但是，有太多母语人士

that native-level English speakers use  to apologise and express how they feel. 

用来道歉以及表达他们 感到怎样的说法。

You'll learn a wide range of language to apologise in this lesson.

您会在本节课里学到道歉的 一个很广范围的说法。

This video is part of a series called 'Level Up'

本视频是一个可以扩展您的日常英语会话

where you can expand your English conversation skills in everyday situations.

技能的名为“Level Up”系列的一部分。

Don't forget to check our other videos in our 'Level Up' series, too.

也不要忘记查看我们的“Level Up”系列的其他视屏。

Another thing: Don't forget to turn on subtitles if you need them.

另一件事：如果您想要看， 不要忘记打开字幕。

This video has English subtitles. Click the 'CC' button on the video player to turn them on.

本视频有英语和中文字幕。点击视屏播放 器的“CC”按键，打开它们。

Are you ready for your class? Let's begin!

您准备好上课了吗？我们开始吧！

I’m really annoyed! I came here specifically  

I’m really annoyed! I came here specifically

to buy an oven dish that I saw online, but  then I was told you don’t sell them any more. 

to buy an oven dish that I saw online, but  then I was told you don’t sell them any more.

Yes, the supplier went out  of business, unfortunately. 

Yes, the supplier went out  of business, unfortunately.

I drove all the way from Linden to buy one!  Why is it on your website if you don’t have it? 

I drove all the way from Linden to buy one!  Why is it on your website if you don’t have it?

I apologise for the inconvenience. It  happened very suddenly and we haven’t  

I apologise for the inconvenience. It  happened very suddenly and we haven’t

had time to update our website yet. Well, I’m not happy with this. 

had time to update our website yet. Well, I’m not happy with this.

I *do* apologise. I know it must be  disappointing. Is there something else  

I *do* apologise. I know it must be  disappointing. Is there something else

I can help you with instead? No thank you.

I can help you with instead? No thank you.

Saying ‘I apologise’ is a formal way of saying  sorry. You’ll most often hear it in a business  

说“I apologise”是一个说抱歉的正式  方式。您会在商业环境里、在办公室里或

environment, at an office or to someone in  authority – like a boss, or a judge or a  

对某些执法人员—像是老板、或一位 法官、一位警官那样的某人说

police officer, someone like that. You may encounter different forms  of ‘I apologise’ – such as ‘I *do* apologise’,  

—像是“I *do* apologise”时，最常听到 它。您也许会遇到“I apologise”的不同形式或

or ‘Please accept my apologies’ or ‘my  *sincerest* apologies’. Words like ‘do’  

“Please accept my apologies”或“my  *sincerest* apologies”。像是"do"和“sincerest”

and ‘sincerest’ add emphasis, showing the other  person that you feel bad about what happened.

的单词增加了强调性，向其他人表明 您对发生的事情感到糟糕。

These different forms of ‘I apologise’ are  often found in formal writing. Have you  

这些“I apologise”的不同形式常会在 正式的写作里看到。您曾经

ever received a letter of apology  from a business for bad service?  

因为糟糕的服务收到一封来自一个 商业实体的道歉信吗？

In English, those letters would often  start with something like: ‘We apologise …’

在英语里，这些信件通常会以某些 像是：“We apologise …”开头。

How else could you apologise in formal writing? The letter from the college came! 

在正式书写里，您可以怎样做其他的道歉？ 来自大学的信件到了！

That’s so exciting! What does it say? Dunno, haven’t opened it yet. 

那是太兴奋了！它说什么了？ 不知道，还没有打开它呢。

Well, what are you waiting for? Here goes... 

好，您在期待什么？ 在这里，来吧...

Go on! What does it say? Dear Miss Phillips, we regret to inform you… 

继续！它说什么了？ Dear Miss Phillips, we regret to inform you…

Oh, no... I’m so sorry. “We regret to inform you that your  

噢，不要... 我很抱歉。 “We regret to inform you that your

application to was unsuccessful.” I’m so sorry you didn’t get  

application to was unsuccessful.” 我真的很抱歉您没有得到。

in. I know how much you wanted it. Well, we’re here now, so we might as well get an  

我知道您是多期待它。 好，我们现在在这里，所以我们

What? Why? There’s a sign: “We regret to  

可能一样得到一个什么？为什么？ 有一个信号： “We regret to

inform you that due to unforeseen circumstances  we will be closed until further notice.”

inform you that due to unforeseen circumstances  we will be closed until further notice.”

Communication from companies often use  the phrase ‘we regret to inform you that…’

来自公司的通讯通常使用短语 “we regret to inform you that…”

‘We regret to inform you that you  were not selected for the interview’.

“We regret to inform you that you  were not selected for the interview”。

‘We regret to inform you that your insurance  policy does not cover such situations.’

“We regret to inform you that your insurance  policy does not cover such situations.”

But what about everyday conversations?  Perhaps you want to apologise to a friend  

但是，日常会话呢？您也许想对  一位朋友，或一个

or a sibling or a neighbour?

兄弟姐妹或一位邻居道歉吗？

Oooh! Ouch! look what you’ve done,  you’ve spilt hot coffee all over me! 

噢！哎呀！看看您做了什么， 您把热咖啡泼了我一身！

Oh! I am so sorry! This shirt is ruined! 

噢！我真的太抱歉了！ 这件衬衫毁了！

Here, let me help…

在这里，我来帮一下…

I’m really sorry! That was so  clumsy of me! Please let me pay  

我真的很抱歉！我太笨拙了！  请让我付款再帮您买件衬衫，

for the shirt. It’s the least I can do. Sometimes I don’t know where your head is. 

那是至少我能做的。 有时，我不知道您听到哪里。

I know, I really should pay more  attention to my surroundings.

我知道，我真的应该更注意 我的周边环境。

The simplest way of apologising is to say,  

最简单的道歉方式是说

‘I'm sorry’. It’s neutral language  which fits almost any situation.

“I'm sorry”。这是几乎适合任何 情形的中性说法。

However, if the incident is more serious,  

然而，如果意外是很严重的，

you could add a word like  ‘very’ or ‘really’ for emphasis.

您可以增加一个单词像是 “very”或“really”来强调。

You can also make an apology sound  stronger by emphasising the auxiliary verb.  

您也可以通过强调助动词的方式 来让一个道歉听起来更强。

For example, ‘I *am* sorry’ sounds  stronger than just ‘I’m sorry’.

例如“I *am* sorry”比只是 “I’m sorry”听起来要更强。

I’m sorry, but I just don’t think your  son is ready to play on the team yet! 

I’m sorry, but I just don’t think your  son is ready to play on the team yet!

I don’t understand why you say that. He’s  been working so hard and he’s improved a lot. 

I don’t understand why you say that. He’s  been working so hard and he’s improved a lot.

He has, I can see that, but he’s  still the weakest pitcher on the team. 

He has, I can see that, but he’s  still the weakest pitcher on the team.

You should give him a chance. He may not be  great at the game but he’s very enthusiastic. 

You should give him a chance. He may not be  great at the game but he’s very enthusiastic.

I’m sorry but that doesn’t make any sense at all.  

I’m sorry but that doesn’t make any sense at all.

We have a championship coming up. Well, I’m sorry you see it that way…

We have a championship coming up. Well, I’m sorry you see it that way…

You can see that ‘I’m sorry’ can be used in many  different useful ways depending on the context.  

您可以看到“I’m sorry”可以以很多有 用的不同方式依上下文来使用。

You can say 'Sorry' or 'I'm sorry' even in  situations where you haven’t done anything wrong!

甚至是在您没有做错任何事情的情形 下，您可以说“Sorry”或“I'm sorry”！

You can use it to disagree politely. For example:  ‘I’m sorry, but what you’re saying isn’t logical’.

您可以用它来礼貌地拒绝。例如： “I’m sorry, but what you’re saying isn’t logical."

You can use it to introduce something you  think the other person won’t want to hear;  

您可以用它来介绍某些您认为 其他人可能不想听的事情。

for example: ‘I'm sorry, but I don’t think  James will qualify for the race this season’.

例如：”I'm sorry, but I don’t think  James will qualify for the race this season.“

You can use it to express disappointment: ‘I’m  sorry you won’t be joining us this evening!’

您可以用它来表达失望：”I’m  sorry you won’t be joining us this evening!“

You can even say 'I'm sorry' to express  sympathy when you hear sad news: ‘I’m sorry  

甚至当您听到悲伤的消息时，您可以说 ”I'm sorry“来表达同情。”I’m sorry

you haven’t been feeling well’. Oh no! Are you okay? 

you haven’t been feeling well’. Oh no! Are you okay?

I’m okay… but, my car! It’s a complete  write-off! What am I going to do! 

I’m okay… but, my car! It’s a complete  write-off! What am I going to do!

I am really sorry. It’s my  fault. I wasn’t paying attention. 

I am really sorry. It’s my  fault. I wasn’t paying attention.

How will I get to work? Oh, what a mess! I’m really very sorry. I’ll sort it out.  

How will I get to work? Oh, what a mess! I’m really very sorry. I’ll sort it out.

Please give me your insurance details. I’ll  have the car towed. Can I call you a taxi?

Please give me your insurance details. I’ll  have the car towed. Can I call you a taxi?

You heard before that you can  use words like ‘really’ or ‘very’  

您之前有听过您可以使用像是 “really”或“very”搭配“sorry”

together with ‘sorry’ to make your apology  stronger. However, as you heard here,  

来让您的道歉更有诚意。 然而，当您听到这里，

you can also use both words together for  extra emphasis: ‘I’m really very sorry.’

您也可以一起使用这两个单词来特别 强调：“I’m really very sorry.”

If you not only want to apologise, but  also take responsibility for something,  

如果您不仅想道歉，也想 对某些事情承担责任，

you can say ‘It’s my fault.’ Hi, excuse me, hello, I think you’re in my seat. 

您可以说“It’s my fault.” Hi, excuse me, hello, I think you’re in my seat.

No, I don’t think so. This  is 23A. And it says so on my ticket. 

No, I don’t think so. This  is 23A. And it says so on my ticket.

May I have a look? Um, no... your  ticket says 28A. That’s over there. 

May I have a look? Um, no... your  ticket says 28A. That’s over there.

I beg your pardon? I said: your ticket says twenty eight A. 

I beg your pardon? I said: your ticket says twenty eight A.

Oh, excuse me... my eyes and  ears aren’t what they use to be. 

Oh, excuse me... my eyes and  ears aren’t what they use to be.

It’s quite alright. Do you  need help moving your things?

It’s quite alright. Do you  need help moving your things?

‘Excuse me’ is mostly used  to get someone’s attention,  

“Excuse me”常用来得到某人的注意。

as in ‘Excuse me, but can I ask you a question?’

像是在“Excuse me, but can I ask you a question?”

However, you might also use it as  an apology in certain situations.  

然而，您也许也会使用它在 某些情形下作为一个道歉。

It’s quite old-fashioned and  formal when used in this way.

当以这种方式使用时，那是 十分过时并正式的方式。

‘Excuse me’ can also mean ‘I’m sorry,  but I didn’t hear what you said’.

“Excuse me”也可以意思是“I’m sorry,  but I didn’t hear what you said.”

You heard another formal phrase in the  dialogue just now. Do you remember it?

您在刚刚的对话里听到了另一个 正式的短语。您记得它吗？

You heard: ‘I beg your pardon’. This is a  formal way of apologising. It’s rarely used  

您听到：“I beg your pardon.” 这是一个 道歉的正式方式。那是在现代

in modern conversational English, but you might  hear it. Sometimes people use it ironically.

英语会话里极少用到的，但是，也许您 听过它。有时人们会讽刺性地用它。

Hello, Derek, thanks so much for coming to see me. 

Hello, Derek, thanks so much for coming to see me.

Hello, Mrs Sanders. As you may have guessed,  

Hello, Mrs Sanders. As you may have guessed,

this is about the whole petty cash incident. Go on... 

this is about the whole petty cash incident. Go on...

Well, it seems we owe you an apology;  the thief was caught this morning. 

Well, it seems we owe you an apology;  the thief was caught this morning.

That’s good to hear. I told  you I didn’t take the money. 

That’s good to hear. I told  you I didn’t take the money.

Yes, you did, and I owe you a  sincere apology for accusing you. 

Yes, you did, and I owe you a  sincere apology for accusing you.

Well, I appreciate the apology, but  I was really hurt by the accusation. 

Well, I appreciate the apology, but  I was really hurt by the accusation.

I know, I know. And for that, I  apologise and hope we can move past it.

I know, I know. And for that, I  apologise and hope we can move past it.

You can use ‘I owe you an apology’ when you  realize that you’ve done something wrong  

当您意识到您做错了什么，您想改正 它时，您可以用“I owe you an apology”。

and you want to put it right. You can also say it  to other people if *they've* done something wrong.  

如果*他们曾*做了某些错事， 您也可以对另一个人说它。

For example, if your child  snatches a toy from another child  

例如，如果您的小孩从另一个 小孩那里抢走一个玩具，

you could say: ‘Kelly, I think you  owe Neil an apology, don’t you?’

您可以说：“Kelly, I think you  owe Neil an apology, don’t you?”

You can also use this phrase to  demand an apology from someone else,  

您也可以说“I think you owe me an apology.”这个短语来从

by saying ‘I think you owe me an apology.’

其他人那里要求一个道歉。

We’ve now heard some words and phrases  you can use to say you are sorry.  

我们现在听到了您可以用来说 您很抱歉的一些单词和短语。

But sometimes, people apologise without  actually using any of these words.

但是，有时，人们在没有实际 使用这些词的情况下道歉。

Why isn’t the environmental report on my desk yet? The internet was down again.  

Why isn’t the environmental report on my desk yet? The internet was down again.

I couldn’t do the research. 

I couldn’t do the research.

I’m so tired of this service provider. I  couldn’t even do my presentation yesterday. 

I’m so tired of this service provider. I  couldn’t even do my presentation yesterday.

This has been going on for weeks now.  We’re all falling behind on our work. 

This has been going on for weeks now.  We’re all falling behind on our work.

Oh well, what can you do? We’re all  so reliant on technology these days.

Oh well, what can you do? We’re all  so reliant on technology these days.

Apologies are sometimes given in an indirect  way, without using words such as ‘I am sorry’,  

道歉有时是以一种非直接的方式 给出的，没有使用像是“I am sorry”或

‘or ‘please accept my apology’. Instead,  people sometimes offer an explanation instead.

“please accept my apology”的话。取代 的是，人们有时提出一个解释代替。

For example, in a city where public  transportation is unreliable, coming  

例如，在公共交通不可信赖的城市， 出席会议迟到并给出一个

late to a meeting and giving an explanation like,  ‘The bus was late,’ might be perfectly acceptable.  

像这样的解释 “The bus was late,” 也许是完全可以被接受的。

In a city known for its heavy snowfall,  an explanation like ‘The snow was so heavy  

在下大雪著称的城市里， 一个解释像是“The snow was so heavy

this morning I couldn’t get my car out of  the driveway’ may be all you need to say.

this morning I couldn’t get my car out of  the driveway”也许是全部您要说的。

Now, let’s see if you can take the language you’ve  learned today and apply it to a real situation.

现在，我们看看您是否能拿您今天学到的 说法来在一个真实的情形里运用。

I can’t believe you missed the meeting!

I can’t believe you missed the meeting!

Could you respond? What did you say?

Could you respond? What did you say?

There are many possibilities. But  some are more appropriate than others.  

有很多可能性。但是， 有些是比其他的更合适。

Maybe you were tempted to say ‘I’m sorry!’ – but  is that really the best choice in this situation?

也许您想说“I’m sorry!” – 但是，在这个情形 里，那真正地是最好的选择吗？

Let’s see how this may play out in the real world.

我们看看这会如何在现实世界中发挥作用。

Molly: I can’t believe you missed the meeting! The bus was late and the traffic on  

Molly: I can’t believe you missed the meeting! The bus was late and the traffic on

Stevens Street was awful! That’s hardly an excuse. You  

Stevens Street was awful! That’s hardly an excuse. You

should’ve made another plan. You know how  important this meeting is for the company. 

should’ve made another plan. You know how  important this meeting is for the company.

I know. I apologise. I should’ve left home sooner. You really let me down. I thought I  

I know. I apologise. I should’ve left home sooner. You really let me down. I thought I

could rely on you. You can! I sincerely  

could rely on you. You can! I sincerely

apologise. It won’t happen again. Maybe I  can phone Mr Beach to try and reschedule?

apologise. It won’t happen again. Maybe I  can phone Mr Beach to try and reschedule?

By saying ‘I apologise’ and adding the word  ‘sincerely’, you have a better chance of  

通过说“I apologise”以及添加单词 ”sincerely“，您有一个更好的

communicating just how much you regret missing  the meeting. You could say ‘it won’t happen  

机会表达您对错过会议有多遗憾。 您可以说”it won’t happen

again’ to show your commitment to not making  the same mistake again. Adding an offer to  

again“来表明您不再犯相同错误的承诺。 添加尝试解决问题的提议

try and fix the situation may just show how much  you care, and smooth things over with the boss.

可能只是表明您有多关心，  来和老板打圆场。

So, you’ve seen many different ways to apologise.  Why not put your new skills to the test right now?

那么，您看到了道歉的很多不同方式。为 什么不现在把新技能用在测验里面呢？

Pause the video and try to complete the phrases.

暂停影片并试着完成短语。

Could you do it? Need more time? You can take  more time! Try to get as many answers as you can.

您可以做什么？需要更多时间吗？您可以花 更多的时间！试着做您能做的更多答案。

Let’s see the answers now.

我们现在看看答案。

How did you do? Did you get them all?  Being able to apologise effectively is  

您做的怎样？全部都做好了吗？ 能够有效率地道歉是一个

a skill that will be useful throughout your life.

在您一生中都能用到的技能。

I hope you enjoyed today’s  lesson. Thanks for watching!

我希望您享受今天的课程。 感谢观看！

See you soon!

下次见！