Nuance Dictionary / Culture & Language
미안하다 mi-an-ha-da
To feel sorry in a warm, relational, and close-proximity context
What does 미안하다 mean?
미안하다 (mi-an-ha-da) means: To feel sorry in a warm, relational, and close-proximity context.
Carries a softening emotional texture. It is the natural choice among peers, family, and close colleagues where the priority is maintaining emotional warmth rather than performing formal submission.
🔊 From the story above
죄송합니다 — Mi-an-haeyo vs Joesonghamnida
미안해요 — mi-an-haeyo, "I'm sorry"
미안하다 — mi-an-ha-da, "to feel sorry in a warm, relational, close-proximity sense"
늦어서 정말 죄송합니다 — neu-jeo-seo jeong-mal joesonghamnida, "I'm truly sorry for being late"
괜찮아요 — gwaen-chan-a-yo, "it's fine"
죄송하다 — listen & repeat
미안 미안 — listen & repeat
팀장님 — listen & repeat
How it's actually used
- 아이쿠, 내가 너무 늦게 나왔지? 많이 기다렸지, 미안하다!
Aiku, naega neomu neutge nawatji? Mani gidaryetji, mianhada!
Oh dear, I came out a bit late, didn't I? You waited long, I'm sorry!
💡 Warm and affectionate apology among close friends or younger peers. - 오늘 저녁 약속 갑자기 취소해서 정말 미안하다, 다음에 내가 맛있는 거 살게.
Oneul jeonyeok yaksok gapjagi chwisohaeseo jeongmal mianhada, da-eume naega masinneun geo salge.
I'm really sorry for canceling our dinner plans so suddenly, I'll treat you next time.
💡 Softens the blow of disappointing a close companion. - 너한테 괜히 짜증 냈던 거 같아서 마음이 쓰인다. 미안하다, 친구야.
Neohante gwaenhi jjajeung naetdeon geo gataseo ma-eumi sseinda. Mianhada, chinguya.
I feel bad because I think I snapped at you for no reason. I'm sorry, buddy.
💡 A sincere, ego-softening apology to restore relational harmony.
Related words in Culture & Language
죄송하다 joe-song-ha-da괜찮다 gwaen-chan-ta송구하다 song-gu-ha-da속상하다 sok-sang-ha-da토닥토닥 to-dak-to-dak