Short answer: "sorry" in French is Désolé, or Pardon depending on the situation.
Désolé, the core translation
The default way to say "sorry" in French is Désolé. Pronounced roughly day-zoh-LAY.
When French speakers actually use it
Women say "désolée". "Pardon" is quicker, used for bumping past someone.
Alternative: Pardon
Pardon is the other option French 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 French conversation
Reading a phrase and saying it out loud are two different skills. Skala's AI conversations let you drop "Désolé" into a real French 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 French?
Both Désolé and Pardon are polite. Pick based on who you're talking to: register, not translation, is what natives are tuning into.
How do I pronounce Désolé?
Roughly day-zoh-LAY. Recording yourself once and comparing to a native audio inside Skala closes the gap faster than reading pronunciation guides.