How to Say Sorry

'Sorry' is one of the three golden words in the English language. In any situation, as soon as you realize your mistake, do not hesitate to apologize. Read on to find out how to say sorry the right way.
How to Say Sorry
Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future - Paul Boese

Life is never a bed of roses and one has to face hard times in life. There are times when you argue with your partner and end up in a quarrel; or you disagree with a friend or have a dispute. In either cases, you end up feeling low and wish to make up as soon as possible. The only way is to say the golden word, Sorry! Owning up to your mistake is very important and it really takes courage to admit your mistake and apologize for your behavior.

Tips on How to Say Sorry Gracefully
  • The first thing you should remember is to not to fake your feelings, apologize to the person only if you genuinely feel sorry. Do not lie or give false excuses.
  • When expressing your apology to someone, always look at the person in the eyes and stay calm. Even if the person takes a longer time to respond, do not let your temper rise as you cannot expect a person to accept your apology immediately.
  • When saying sorry, just say it and end the topic, then and there. Do not start the blame game as to who was the cause of the fight as this will lead you nowhere.
  • Are you concerned how to say sorry to a girl? Once you have accepted your fault, remember never say sorry to a girl over the phone or by texting. It is better if you meet her in person and express your apology.
  • There are different ways to apologize. You can say sorry with flowers, a card with suitable apology quotes or a small gift is a sweet gesture and will really be appreciated. You can even take your girl for a date, coffee or a dance.
  • If you are searching for ways to say sorry to your boyfriend, this can be easier as he is expected to be more understanding. Just approach him and make up immediately. You can even send a note / card.
  • How to say sorry after a fight is quite a difficult query. But remember once you realize your mistake, give some time to your partner to cool off a bit and then apologize (do not expect the person to accept it soon).
  • It is famously said that couples should not go to bed sulking. It is always better to sort out things quickly. Remember, it does no good to back answer or argue when tempers are flying.
  • Although uncomfortable and useless, one can write an apology for unforgivable crimes, like an apology letter for cheating.
How to Say Sorry and Mean It
Here are some common phrases that you can use when you want to say sorry to someone.
  • I am Sorry
  • I apologize for_______
  • Please forgive me for______
  • I owe you an apology
  • Pardon me for_____
  • Please excuse me for_______
Sometime in life you are also expected to express condolence and say sorry about someone's death. If you cannot think how to say sorry about a death, you can simply express it as, 'I am sorry for your loss' or 'I am sorry to hear that'.

How to Say Sorry in Different Languages
  • Albanian - Më fal
  • Bosnian - Oprostite
  • Czech - Pardon
  • Finnish - pahoillaan
  • French - Désolé
  • German - Es tut mir Leid
  • Hindi - Maaf Kijiye
  • Italian - Spiacente
  • Polish - Przepraszam
  • Portuguese - Desculpe
How to say sorry is not a difficult problem. If it is going to build relationships or make them stronger, why should you hesitate in saying that single word? Just say sorry, let bygones be bygones and have a happy life.

By Madhura P
Published: 9/5/2009
 
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