Nuance Dictionary / People & Relationships
사과하다 sagwahada
To issue a performative, liability-managing declaration of fault that closes a dispute rather than heals a relationship.
What does 사과하다 mean?
사과하다 (sagwahada) means: To issue a performative, liability-managing declaration of fault that closes a dispute rather than heals a relationship.
Speakers use this verb when acknowledging an error and seeking pardon, often pairing it with modifiers like 공식적으로 (officially), 정중하게 (politely), and 진심으로 (sincerely). It appears frequently in situations involving institutional or public accountability, such as a company president addressing staff about delayed wages or individuals formally apologizing for disruptions. It combines readily with nouns denoting mistakes, such as 잘못을 사과하다.
In professional or public settings, the word can function as a formal administrative tool to finalize a dispute, occasionally feeling more transactional or procedural than a personal expression of regret.
In professional or public settings, the word can function as a formal administrative tool to finalize a dispute, occasionally feeling more transactional or procedural than a personal expression of regret.
Other sides of 사과하다
◆ The Performative Fandom Apology — Speakers use this verb when admitting fault and asking for forgiveness, frequently combining it with modifiers like 공식적으로, 정중하게, and 진심으로. It appears in contexts where individuals or entities address public mistakes or personal errors, such as formal apologies issued by public figures or corporate leaders. The construction often pairs with expressions of bowing the head or admitting wrongdoings explicitly.
In online celebrity and agency culture, this term often functions as a template response subject to intense public scrutiny regarding its perceived sincerity rather than its literal meaning.
In online celebrity and agency culture, this term often functions as a template response subject to intense public scrutiny regarding its perceived sincerity rather than its literal meaning.
How it's actually used
- 우리는 그가 자신의 잘못을 인정하고 사과한다면 그를 용서해 줄 마음이 있다.
u-ri-neun geu-ga ja-sin-ui jal-mot-eul in-jeong-ha-go sa-gwa-han-da-myeon geu-reul yong-seo-hae jul ma-eum-i it-da.
We are willing to forgive him if he admits his mistake and apologizes.
💡 Shows a conditional formal stance toward an apology. - 사장은 직원들에게 월급이 늦어진 점에 대하여 정중히 사과하고 용서를 빌었다.
sa-jang-eun jig-won-deul-e-ge wol-geub-i neu-joj-eun jeom-e dae-hayo jeong-jung-hi sa-gwa-ha-go yong-seo-reul bil-eot-da.
The president politely apologized to the employees for the delayed salary and asked for forgiveness.
💡 Shows a formal workplace situation involving accountability. - 우선 당신에게 답장이 너무 늦어진 것에 대하여 깊이 사과하고 싶습니다.
u-seon dang-sin-e-ge dap-jang-i neo-mu neu-joj-eun geot-e dae-hayo gip-i sa-gwa-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
First of all, I would like to deeply apologize for the delayed reply to you.
💡 Shows a formal written or polite spoken apology for a delay.
Related words in People & Relationships
센스 있다 Sense-it-da식구 sik-gu속을 썩이다 Sogeul sseogida손발이 맞다 sonbari majda썸남 sseom-nam