Now let's have a look on how to apologise in French when you made a mistake or a "faux-pas".
Here is a list of expressions on how to say sorry in different situations.
Pardon, excusez-moi
To attract a stranger’s attention, use pardon/excusez-mois: ‘Pardon, excusez-moi, madame, vous connaissez la Pizzeria Tino par hasard?’ (Excuse me, do you know the Pizzeria Tino at all?)
Pardon or excusez-moi can be used to get the attention of waiters, or any staff who are there to help. Or you can call: ‘Monsieur, s’il vous plaît!’
To apologise for a minor accident (dropping something, bumping someone or making a mistake), use pardonor excusez-moi.
Pardon is also used when you would like someone to repeat something.
Désolé(e)
‘Je suis désolé, monsieur, il n’y a plus de pain.’
Désolé(e) means that you are sorry that you cannot oblige or help someone.
Regretter(de)
Je regrette énormément d’avoir dit ça. (I am really very sorry I said that).
Ils regretteront toujours d’y avoir été. (They will always be sorry that they went (there).
Je regrette, mais les photocopies ne sont pas gratuites. (I am afraid/sorry that the photocopies are not free of charge).
Etre navré (de)
Nous avons été vraiment navrés d’apprendre cette triste nouvelle. (We were really sorry to hear this sad news.)
Nicole est navrée d’avoir fait tant de peine à ses parents. (Nicole is really sorry to have upset her parents).
Navré is probably the strongest way to sorry, to express sadness.
This article is an extract from Better French by Monique Jackman.
Here is a list of expressions on how to say sorry in different situations.
Pardon, excusez-moi
To attract a stranger’s attention, use pardon/excusez-mois: ‘Pardon, excusez-moi, madame, vous connaissez la Pizzeria Tino par hasard?’ (Excuse me, do you know the Pizzeria Tino at all?)
Pardon or excusez-moi can be used to get the attention of waiters, or any staff who are there to help. Or you can call: ‘Monsieur, s’il vous plaît!’
To apologise for a minor accident (dropping something, bumping someone or making a mistake), use pardonor excusez-moi.
Pardon is also used when you would like someone to repeat something.
Désolé(e)
‘Je suis désolé, monsieur, il n’y a plus de pain.’
Désolé(e) means that you are sorry that you cannot oblige or help someone.
Regretter(de)
Je regrette énormément d’avoir dit ça. (I am really very sorry I said that).
Ils regretteront toujours d’y avoir été. (They will always be sorry that they went (there).
Je regrette, mais les photocopies ne sont pas gratuites. (I am afraid/sorry that the photocopies are not free of charge).
Etre navré (de)
Nous avons été vraiment navrés d’apprendre cette triste nouvelle. (We were really sorry to hear this sad news.)
Nicole est navrée d’avoir fait tant de peine à ses parents. (Nicole is really sorry to have upset her parents).
Navré is probably the strongest way to sorry, to express sadness.
This article is an extract from Better French by Monique Jackman.
Here are a few situations, which word of apology would you use? In some situations there is more than one correct word.
a) Pardon
b) Excuse-moi, excusez-moi
c) Desolé(e)
d) je regrette
e) je suis navré(e)
Situation where you want to apologise:
1. You say something mean to friend
2. You bump into someone.
3. You want the teacher's attention
4. Your friend's cat has died
5. You have promised to go to the movies with a friend and can't make it
6. You have not been showing respect to a relief teacher.
Now let's put this into practice!
Think of a situation you would like to apologise and write your apology. As extension you can make write a card.
French has its very own conventions on how to address a person in a letter. Click this link to find out what greetings and closing phrases to use.
a) Pardon
b) Excuse-moi, excusez-moi
c) Desolé(e)
d) je regrette
e) je suis navré(e)
Situation where you want to apologise:
1. You say something mean to friend
2. You bump into someone.
3. You want the teacher's attention
4. Your friend's cat has died
5. You have promised to go to the movies with a friend and can't make it
6. You have not been showing respect to a relief teacher.
Now let's put this into practice!
Think of a situation you would like to apologise and write your apology. As extension you can make write a card.
French has its very own conventions on how to address a person in a letter. Click this link to find out what greetings and closing phrases to use.