How to apologise in Cantonese

What is the difference between 唔好意思 (m4 hou2 yi3 si1) and 對唔住 (deoi3 m4 zyu6)? When do we use which? How do we apologise in Cantonese?

In this post, I am going to explain the the usages of each commonly used phrases of apology, and variations and responses associated to apology phrases.

唔好意思 (m4 hou2 yi3 si1)

唔好意思 (m4 hou2 yi3 si1) can be roughly translated to “excuse me” or “sorry”.

When should we use 唔好意思 (m4 hou2 yi3 si1)?

We use 唔好意思 (m4 hou2 yi3 si1) when we apologise for a small thing.

For example:

1. when someone is in your way and you would like them to move

2. when you accidentally bump into someone

3. when you call a wrong number : 唔好意思，打錯電話 (m4 hou2 yi3 si1, daa2 co3 din6 waa2) - sorry, I dialed the wrong number

4. when you are late to something : 唔好意思，遲到咗少少 (m4 hou2 yi3 si1, ci4 dou3 zo2 siu2 siu2) - sorry, I’m a little late

唔好意思 (m4 hou2 yi3 si1) can also be used to grab someone’s attention. We can also add 唔好意思 (m4 hou2 yi3 si1) before our questions to maximise politeness.

For example:

1. 唔好意思，請問洗手間喺邊度？ (m4 hou2 yi3 si1, cing2 man6 sai2 sau2 gaan1 hai2 bin1 dou6?) - excuse me, where is the restroom?

2. 唔好意思，呢件衫仲有冇貨？ (m4 hou2 yi3 si1, ni1 gin6 saam1 zung6 jau5 mou5 fo3?) - excuse me, is this shirt still in stock?

對唔住 (deoi3 m4 zyu6)

對唔住 (deoi3 m4 zyu6) literally means “ I can’t face you”, but it can be translated to “I’m sorry”.

When should we use 對唔住 (deoi3 m4 zyu6) ?

We use 對唔住 (deoi3 m4 zyu6) to apologise for something with more serious consequences, or situations where people’s feelings are hurt.

For example:

1. 對唔住 (deoi3 m4 zyu6)，我唔記得咗今日約咗你 (ngo5 m4 gei3 dak1 zo2 gam1 jat6 joek3 zo2 nei5) - I’m sorry, I forgot we had an appointment today.

2. 對唔住 (deoi3 m4 zyu6)，我頭先對你無禮貌 (ngo5 tau4 sin1 deoi3 nei5 mou4 lai5 maau6) - I’m sorry, I was rude to you just now.

3. 對唔住 (deoi3 m4 zyu6)，我令到你失望 (ngo5 ling6 dou3 nei5 sat1 mong6) - I’m sorry I let you down / disappointed you.

4. 對唔住 (deoi3 m4 zyu6)，我撞到你架車 (ngo5 zong6 dou3 nei5 gaa3 ce1) - I’m sorry I bumped into your car / hit your car.

Variations for more serious situations:

1. 好對唔住 (hou2 deoi3 m4 zyu6) - I’m very sorry

2. 真係好對唔住 (zan1 hai6 hou2 deoi3 m4 zyu6) - I’m really very sorry

How do we respond to an apology?

1. 唔緊要 (m4 gan2 jiu3) - it’s okay; no problem （lit: it doesn’t matter)

2. 唔使唔好意思 (m4 sai2 m4 hou2 yi3 si1) - no need to say sorry

3. 唔使對唔住 (m4 sai2 deoi3 m4 zyu6) - no need to say sorry

4. 冇事 (mou5 si6) - it’s fine; nothing happened; no worries

Please note that neither 唔好意思 (m4 hou2 yi3 si1) nor 對唔住 (deoi3 m4 zyu6) can be used to express condolences. To express condolences when someone pass away, we say to the griefing 節哀順變 (zit3 ngoi1 seon6 bin3) - my condolences.

Extra vocabularies about apologising

道歉 (dou6 hip3) - to apologise; an apology

原諒 (yun4 loeng6) - to forgive; forgiveness

真心 (zan1 sam1) - sincere; genuinely; from the heart

錯 (co3) - wrong; mistake; fault

責任 (zaak3 yam6) - responsibility; duty; liability