English · Greetings & essentials
Mujhe maaf kijiye in English: I'm sorry (मुझे माफ़ कीजिए)
I'm sorry
Hindi (Devanagari)
मुझे माफ़ कीजिए
Hindi (English letters)
mujhe maaf kijiye
मुझे माफ़ कीजिए (mujhe maaf kijiye) can be expressed as “I'm sorry” in English. For example: “Sorry, I wasn't paying attention.”
“mujhe maaf kijiye” kehna ho, to English mein “I'm sorry” use karein. Neeche poore sentences aur Hindi meanings saath diye hain. Context dekhkar apna sentence chunein.
After bumping someone
Sorry, I wasn't paying attention.
मुझे माफ़ कीजिए, मैंने ध्यान नहीं दिया।
mujhe maaf kijiye, maine dhyaan nahi diya.
How to pronounce “I'm sorry”
Say it in English
ighm SAH-ree
This is a sound guide for English, using a common American pronunciation. CAPITAL letters mark the stronger syllable in a longer word. Say the example sentence at a comfortable pace; Hindi spelling does not map sound for sound to English.
I'm sorry: Hindi meaning and useful expressions
| English | Hindi meaning | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| I'm sorry | मुझे माफ़ कीजिए mujhe maaf kijiye The basic phrase form; compare the complete expressions below. | The basic phrase form; compare the complete expressions below. |
| Sorry, I wasn't paying attention. | मुझे माफ़ कीजिए, मैंने ध्यान नहीं दिया। mujhe maaf kijiye, maine dhyaan nahi diya. After bumping someone | After bumping someone |
| Sorry, I was late because of traffic. | मुझे माफ़ कीजिए, जाम की वजह से देर हो गई। mujhe maaf kijiye, jaam ki wajah se der ho gayi. Arriving late to a meeting | Arriving late to a meeting |
Use “I'm sorry” as a complete expression. The three examples show how the same speaking goal fits different situations.
Keep the English word order. A Hindi sentence and its natural English version may use different helping verbs or a different order, so translating each word separately can change the meaning.
How to use “I'm sorry” in English sentences
1. After bumping someone
Sorry, I wasn't paying attention.
मुझे माफ़ कीजिए, मैंने ध्यान नहीं दिया।
mujhe maaf kijiye, maine dhyaan nahi diya.
2. Arriving late to a meeting
Sorry, I was late because of traffic.
मुझे माफ़ कीजिए, जाम की वजह से देर हो गई।
mujhe maaf kijiye, jaam ki wajah se der ho gayi.
3. Making a small mistake
Sorry for the mistake. I'll do it again.
गलती के लिए मुझे माफ़ कीजिए, फिर से करूँगा।
galti ke liye mujhe maaf kijiye, phir se karoonga.
Common mistakes with “I'm sorry”
Instead of
Sorry, Me wasn't paying attention.
Say this
Sorry, I wasn't paying attention.
Use I for the person doing or experiencing the action. Me cannot replace I as the subject of this sentence.
Instead of
Sorry, I were late because of traffic.
Say this
Sorry, I was late because of traffic.
This past-time sentence uses was with a singular subject. Were goes with you, we, they, or a plural subject in an ordinary past statement.
Apologizing after spilling chai on a table
Read both roles. Say the English lines out loud before checking the Hindi meaning.
Partner
Oh, the cup fell!
Show Hindi meaning
अरे, कप गिर गया!
are, kap gir gaya!
You
Sorry. I'll clean it right away.
Show Hindi meaning
मुझे माफ़ कीजिए, तुरंत साफ़ करता हूँ।
mujhe maaf kijiye, turant saaf karta hoon.
Partner
It's fine, don't say sorry so much.
Show Hindi meaning
कोई बात नहीं, मुझे माफ़ कीजिए मत बोलिए इतना।
koi baat nahi, mujhe maaf kijiye mat boliye itna.
You
Still, sorry, it was my fault.
Show Hindi meaning
फिर भी मुझे माफ़ कीजिए, गलती मेरी थी।
phir bhi mujhe maaf kijiye, galti meri thi.
Your turn: use “I'm sorry”
Say this in English: मुझे माफ़ कीजिए, जाम की वजह से देर हो गई। (mujhe maaf kijiye, jaam ki wajah se der ho gayi.)
Reveal sample answer
Sorry, I was late because of traffic.
मुझे माफ़ कीजिए, जाम की वजह से देर हो गई।
mujhe maaf kijiye, jaam ki wajah se der ho gayi.
Compare your word order with “Sorry, I was late because of traffic.” Then use the same pattern to say something about your own day.
Questions about “I'm sorry” in English
Mujhe maaf kijiye ko English mein kya kehte hain?
मुझे माफ़ कीजिए (mujhe maaf kijiye) can be expressed as “I'm sorry” in English. For example: “Sorry, I wasn't paying attention.”
What does “I'm sorry” mean in Hindi?
In the sense taught here, “I'm sorry” means मुझे माफ़ कीजिए (mujhe maaf kijiye). The sentence “Sorry, I wasn't paying attention.” shows it in context.
How do I use “I'm sorry” in a sentence?
Sorry, I was late because of traffic. Hindi meaning: मुझे माफ़ कीजिए, जाम की वजह से देर हो गई। (mujhe maaf kijiye, jaam ki wajah se der ho gayi.). Use “I'm sorry” as a complete expression. The three examples show how the same speaking goal fits different situations.
What should I watch for when using “I'm sorry”?
Keep the English word order. A Hindi sentence and its natural English version may use different helping verbs or a different order, so translating each word separately can change the meaning.
