对不起
duìbuqǐ
sorry / excuse me
对不起 is the standard way to apologize or get attention. Learners should use it after bumping into someone or before asking for help.
Example sentences
对不起，我来晚了。
Duìbuqǐ, wǒ lái wǎn le.
Sorry, I am late.
对不起，请问地铁站怎么走？
Duìbuqǐ, qǐngwèn dìtiě zhàn zěnme zǒu?
Excuse me, how do I get to the metro station?
How to use 对不起 in practice
对不起 is a greetings item that is easiest to learn inside a complete sentence. Read it with the pinyin duìbuqǐ, then connect it to the meaning “sorry / excuse me” before trying to use it from memory. The examples on this page show the phrase in context: 对不起，我来晚了。 / 对不起，请问地铁站怎么走？.
When you practice 对不起, do not stop at recognition. Say one example aloud, swap in a new person, place, object, or time word, and then use the phrase in a short answer. This turns a glossary entry into real Mandarin output and exposes word-order or pronunciation mistakes quickly.
Common learner mistake
A common learner mistake is to memorize 对不起 only as “sorry / excuse me” and then translate word by word from English. Instead, learn the whole chunk with the words around it. Notice which nouns, verbs, measure words, or polite markers appear before and after the phrase, and copy that pattern in your own sentence.
Mini practice prompt
Practice prompt: open Chinese speaking practice, start a short conversation, and use 对不起 naturally in your first or second reply. If the sentence feels awkward, compare it with the examples above and try again with a smaller sentence.
Memory tip: review 对不起 tomorrow by covering the English meaning, reading only duìbuqǐ, and producing a sentence before checking the examples. Active recall helps this word survive beyond one reading session.
Practice related pages
FAQ
What is the difference between 对不起 and 不好意思?
对不起 is more formal and often used for genuine apologies. 不好意思 is lighter and commonly used to get attention or for minor inconvenience.
How can I remember 对不起 faster?
Say 对不起 inside a full sentence, change one detail, and repeat it in a realistic prompt. The combination of sound, meaning, and context is stronger than memorizing the translation alone.
Can I use 对不起 in conversation practice?
Yes. Start with the example sentence, then use 对不起 in a short AI conversation so you can see whether the surrounding word order and tone feel natural.
Published by AI Chinese Coach