2 min read · English

How to say "sorry" in English

Say "sorry" in English: Sorry / I'm sorry. Pronunciation, when to use it, and the register that natives actually pick.

Short answer: "sorry" in English is Sorry, or I'm sorry depending on the situation.

Sorry, the core translation

The default way to say "sorry" in English is Sorry. Pronounced roughly SO-ree.

When English speakers actually use it

"Sorry" alone for small stuff; "I'm so sorry" for anything real.

Alternative: I'm sorry

I'm sorry is the other option English speakers reach for in this situation. It's not a synonym so much as a register shift, use the one that matches who you're talking to.

Practice this in a real English conversation

Reading a phrase and saying it out loud are two different skills. Skala's AI conversations let you drop "Sorry" into a real English exchange in your first 3-minute lesson, so it sticks the first time.

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FAQ

What's the most polite way to say "sorry" in English?

Both Sorry and I'm sorry are polite. Pick based on who you're talking to: register, not translation, is what natives are tuning into.

How do I pronounce Sorry?

Roughly SO-ree. Recording yourself once and comparing to a native audio inside Skala closes the gap faster than reading pronunciation guides.

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