Living in the Philippines since almost 25 years let me learn a lot as an expatriat. There is something peculiar about the Tagalog and even the Filipino language. There is no word for "sorry" or "apology." When Filipinos are at fault, they say in Tagalog or Filipino, "Pasensiya na." That literally translates into, "Please forget your anger" or "Please let it go". It's important to note that the personal pronoun used is in second person, not the first.
How do you say I’m sorry without saying I’m sorry? Eight Ways to Apologize Without Saying “I’m Sorry”
It’s unfortunate that…
How sad for you that (this) happened…
I sympathize with your situation/disappointment/frustration…
What a shame that…
Will you please forgive my insensitivity/error/indiscretion…
I am completely at fault here, and I apologize…
Widely used phrases: The best Filipino / Tagalog translation for the English word sorry. paumanh í n [noun] excusing; forgiveness; asking for forgiveness; tolerating; patience; sorry 5 Example Sentences Available » more… pas é nsiya na [phrase] I’m sorry.
What does the word sorrow mean in Tagalog?
Mental suffering or pain caused by injury, loss, or despair. To express deep sorrow for. Similar phrases in dictionary English Tagalog. (4) Gabriel ng Ina ng Hapis * Why did Paul rejoice in their sorrow? * Bakit nagalak si Pablo sa kanilang kalungkutan o kalumbayan? Better still, God’s peace means a world without sickness, pain, sorrow, or death.
Which is correct I am sorry or Please Forgive Me?
While the list that Emily gave will work, it translates more accurately to “Please forgive me” rather than “I am sorry”. The direct translation of “I am sorry” would be: “Pasensya na” – This is casual/informal. “Pasensya na po.” This is polite/formal.
What’s the best word to use in place of Sorry?
Pasensya — most common word to use in place of sorry. Paumanhin — this word sounds formal and deep. Its root word is ano (lit. what) with which by conjugation ( pa-um-ano-hin) gives it a meaning close to “to let it pass.” Patawad — in most context this is used when someone is asking for forgiveness.
I'll share some sample sentences and I'll break it down one by one.
Sorry kaayo. (I'm really sorry)
Sorry kaayo jud. (I'm very sorry/ I'm really really sorry)
Sorry kaayo jud ha.
Sorry - pronounce as "su-ri"; asking for forgiveness
kaayo - really
jud - added to give more emphasis to the emotion
ha - (soft sound) added to make emotions sound more sincere and sweet
- added to pacify the person
Sentence Sample 2.
Pasayloa ko. (Forgive me.)
Pasayloa - to forgive
ko - me
Pasayloa jud ko. (Forgive me.) - More sincere
Pasayloa jud ko kaayo. (Forgive me. - Most sincere. This sounds like, you are asking for a huge forgiveness.
Sample Sentence #3
Mangayo ko og pasaylo nimo.
I am asking for your forgiveness.
Mangayo - to ask (Nangayo - past tense)
ko - me
og - connecting word. In some sentences/phrases this could be "is". In this phrase, it is used to connect words in relation to "what" the person is asking. I would say this is the "for" in the sample phrase above.
Pasaylo - forgiveness/ sorry
nimo - your
Sample Sentence #4
Pasayloa ko sa akong nabuhat nga dautan/ngil-ad. Wala jud nako gituyo.
I am very sorry for what bad/awful things I did. I didn't mean it.
I know this is quite long. These words would make you sound remorseful.
Pasayloa - sorry/ forgiveness
ko - me
sa - connecting word usually means "for"
akong - my
nabuhat - things that you did
nga - connecting word. No English equivalent. This is used to link the relationship between modifiers. Like in this phrase: nabuhat nga dautan (bad things I did), nabuhat nga ngil-ad (awful things I did)
dautan- bad
ngil-ad - awful
Wala - nothing/ none/ not
jud - see description above
nako - I
gituyo - mean/ intentional
Lastly, Sample Sentence #5
For lighter mistakes
Pasensya kaayo ha.
Be patient with me.
This is another way of saying sorry but is used for minor mistakes only. Using this phrase for bigger mistake is an insult. This also means you are asking the person to be more patient with you.
For example: You are going to meet a friend and you are late for 10-15mins or less then you use this phrase
BUT if you are late for an hour then you should use the "Sorry kaayo jud ha." OR you combine "Sorry kaayo jud ha.Pasensya kaayo ____(friend's name)_____".
Another way to say sorry is to extend the Sorry like "Sooorrrrryyy kaayo ha"
Remember to the soft "ha" at the end to pacify the person in this case your friend.
I wish and hope and pray that you might learn how to say your words of apologizes, when you are in the Philippines. It doesn't mean, where you are located in this wonderful country.
