sorry?

sorry? — adjective

1. feeling regret about a small unkind or wrong action, expressed politely to the p

1.形容詞A1
釋義

feeling regret about a small unkind or wrong action, expressed politely to the person you upset.

例句

Soraya was sorry about the broken vase and offered to pay for a new one.

be sorry about + noun for a specific fault

I'm sorry I shouted at you during the meeting yesterday.

I'm sorry + clause as a direct apology

同義詞
  • apologetic

    more formal; describes the whole manner, not just one comment

  • regretful

    stronger inner feeling, often about a bigger choice

  • remorseful

    much stronger; suggests deep guilt over a serious wrong

反義詞
  • unrepentant

    shows the speaker is not sorry and will not apologize

文法句型

be sorry about + noun

be sorry for + -ing

be sorry that + clause

I'm sorry

用法筆記

Only sense that takes both 'about + noun' and 'for + -ing'. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense names the speaker's own fault, not sympathy for someone else's trouble.

常見錯誤

❌I sorry for the late reply.
✅I'm sorry for the late reply.
💡needs the linking verb 'be'.
❌Andrés was sorry to break the cup.
✅Andrés was sorry for breaking the cup.
💡apology for a past fault takes 'for + -ing', not 'to + verb'.

2. feeling sad because something bad has happened to another person or because of b

2.形容詞A2
釋義

feeling sad because something bad has happened to another person or because of bad news.

例句

Lara felt sorry for the puppy left out in the cold rain.

feel sorry for + person/animal in trouble

I'm so sorry to hear that your grandfather is in the hospital.

be sorry to hear + bad news

同義詞
  • sympathetic

    stronger; describes a person's whole attitude, not one comment

  • concerned

    focuses on worry; does not always include sadness

  • compassionate

    much stronger and more formal

反義詞
  • indifferent

    not caring at all about another person's trouble

文法句型

feel sorry for + person

be sorry about + situation

be sorry to hear + clause

用法筆記

Frequently with 'for + person' or 'to hear + bad news'. Distinguish from sense 1: the speaker is NOT at fault here — the cause of the trouble is someone else's situation.

常見錯誤

❌I am sorry for your grandfather is sick.
✅I am sorry to hear your grandfather is sick.
💡sympathy for news uses 'to hear', not 'for + clause'.
❌She sorrys for the lost cat.
✅She feels sorry for the lost cat.
💡'sorry' is an adjective, not a verb.

3. sinking into self-pity because you think your own problems are unfair, usually s

3.形容詞B2
釋義

sinking into self-pity because you think your own problems are unfair, usually said with mild criticism.

例句

Mira sat on the porch feeling sorry for herself after the team picked someone else.

feel sorry for + reflexive after a setback

Stop feeling sorry for yourself and call the coach for a second chance.

command form with mild criticism

同義詞
  • self-pitying

    more formal adjective for the same attitude

  • moping

    describes the visible quiet sulking, not the feeling itself

反義詞
  • resilient

    bouncing back instead of dwelling on the trouble

文法句型

feel sorry for + reflexive pronoun

用法筆記

Always uses a reflexive pronoun (myself, yourself, himself, etc.). Distinguish from sense 2: the suffering person and the sympathizer are the same person here, and the tone is mildly critical.

常見錯誤

❌He felt sorry for him after losing the game.
✅He felt sorry for himself after losing the game.
💡needs a reflexive pronoun.
❌I'm self-sorry today.
✅I'm feeling sorry for myself today.
💡'self-sorry' is not an English word.

4. softening unwelcome news so that the listener does not feel hit too hard.

4.形容詞B1
釋義

softening unwelcome news so that the listener does not feel hit too hard.

例句

I'm sorry to say your application for the scholarship was not successful.

I'm sorry to say + bad news

Sivan was sorry to tell the students that the school trip had been cancelled.

be sorry to tell + person + bad news

同義詞
  • regretful

    more formal; often used in written notices

  • afraid

    very common in 'I'm afraid …' to soften refusals

反義詞
  • pleased

    opposite framing when news is good rather than bad

文法句型

be sorry to say + clause

be sorry to tell + somebody

I'm sorry but + clause

用法筆記

Often opens a sentence that delivers a refusal or unwelcome announcement. Distinguish from sense 1: here the speaker has done nothing wrong; they are softening news, not apologizing for a fault.

常見錯誤

❌I'm sorry for saying your project failed.
✅I'm sorry to say your project failed.
💡this softening pattern uses 'to + verb', not 'for + -ing'.
❌Sorry but for, the shop is closed.
✅I'm sorry, but the shop is closed.
💡fixed pattern is 'I'm sorry, but…'.

5. marking a polite no when you do not agree or when you turn down what someone off

5.形容詞B1
釋義

marking a polite no when you do not agree or when you turn down what someone offers or asks.

例句

Sorry, I really cannot lend you the car again this weekend.

Sorry + refusal of a request

I'm sorry, but I disagree with the new parking rule on our street.

I'm sorry, but + polite disagreement

同義詞
  • afraid

    as in 'I'm afraid not'; very common polite refusal

  • regretfully

    more formal; usually in written refusals

反義詞
  • happy

    as in 'happy to help' — accepting rather than refusing

文法句型

I'm sorry, but I + verb

Sorry, I + verb

用法筆記

Softens a refusal or disagreement without admitting any fault. Distinguish from sense 1: no apology is implied — the speaker still stands by the 'no' that follows.

常見錯誤

❌Sorry to disagree.' (when you mean a firm no.)
✅I'm sorry, but I disagree.
💡full pattern keeps the disagreement clear.
❌Saying 'sorry' here and then quickly changing your mind.
✅Mean the refusal; this 'sorry' is a politeness signal, not a real apology.

6. describing a thing or situation that is in such bad shape that people pity or di

6.形容詞B2
釋義

describing a thing or situation that is in such bad shape that people pity or disapprove of it.

例句

After the storm, the small fishing boat was in a sorry state on the rocks.

a sorry state for a damaged thing

The abandoned playground was a sorry sight for the children walking past.

a sorry sight for something pitiful to see

同義詞
  • pitiful

    closer to pure pity, less hint of disapproval

  • wretched

    stronger; often for living conditions or appearance

  • miserable

    very strong; can describe weather or living conditions

反義詞
  • splendid

    describes a thing in excellent condition

文法句型

a sorry + state / sight / mess

in a sorry condition

用法筆記

Almost always used before a noun, especially 'state', 'sight', 'condition', or 'mess'. Distinguish from sense 1 and 2: this sense describes a thing or situation, not a person's feelings.

常見錯誤

❌The car is sorry.
✅The car is in a sorry state.
💡needs a noun like 'state', 'condition', or 'sight'.
❌A sorry person sat by the road.' (when meaning pitiful)
✅A sorry figure sat by the road.
💡describe the appearance noun, not the person directly.

sorry? — exclamation