对不起
duìbuqǐ
sorry; excuse me
Type: VerbsHSK 1
对 (toward, correct) + 不 (not) + 起 (to rise). Literally 'unable to lift one's head toward someone' — a humble apology.
It's more formal than 不好意思 (excuse me). To ask someone to make way, people say 不好意思 (bù hǎoyìsi). 对不起 is saved for more serious mistakes.
对
寸cùninch
又yòuhand
起
走zǒuto walk
己jǐoneself
对不起，我迟到了。
Duìbuqǐ, wǒ chídào le.
Sorry, I was late.
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