sorry
gb/sˈɑɹi/ us/sˈɑɹi/
A1
Inglese
~ 900
Accezioni
0 accezioni
adjective
A1
state
1
feeling regret or guilt
Feeling bad because you did something wrong or caused a problem.
Schema d'uso:
[someone] is sorry (for/about [something])
Errore comune:
Learners sometimes confuse 'sorry' with 'sad'. 'Sorry' in this sense is about regret for an action, not general unhappiness.
Sinonimi
apologetic (Focuses more on showing that you are sorry rather than the feeling itself.)
Contrari
unrepentant (Shows no regret or guilt for actions.)
Collocazioni
deeply sorry
|truly sorry
|so sorry
|very sorry
|sorry for the inconvenience
Temi
emotions
|daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Esempi
- I’m really sorry for breaking your mug.
- She felt sorry about missing his birthday.
- We’re sorry to keep you waiting.
- He said he was sorry for the mistake.
- I’m sorry if my words hurt you.
Esempi per chi studia
- I am sorry for being late.
- She is sorry about the noise.
- We are sorry for the mistake.
- He is sorry to miss the party.
- I am sorry if I hurt you.
interjection
A1
action
2
used to apologize or request repetition
A quick way to say you are sorry, or to ask someone to say something again.
Errore comune:
Learners sometimes use 'excuse me' instead of 'sorry' when they mean an apology; 'excuse me' can be used before interrupting but not always as an apology.
Sinonimi
pardon (More formal or polite when asking someone to repeat something.)
Collocazioni
Sorry, what?
|Sorry about that
|Oh, sorry
Temi
communication
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Esempi
- Sorry, could you say that again?
- Oh, sorry, I didn’t see you there.
- Sorry about that, my phone was on silent.
Esempi per chi studia
- Sorry, can you repeat that?
- Sorry, I did not hear you.
- Oh, sorry, I forgot to call.
adjective
A2
state
3
feeling pity for someone
Feeling bad for someone because something bad happened to them.
Schema d'uso:
[someone] feels sorry for [someone]
Errore comune:
Learners sometimes confuse 'feel sorry for' with 'be sorry for'; the former is about pity, the latter about apology.
Sinonimi
compassionate (Broader term meaning showing care and concern for others.)
Contrari
unsympathetic (Not showing understanding or pity for someone's problems.)
Collocazioni
feel sorry for
|really sorry for
Temi
emotions
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Esempi
- I feel sorry for the children in that situation.
- She felt sorry for him after hearing his story.
- We should feel sorry for people who are struggling.
Esempi per chi studia
- I feel sorry for the dog.
- She feels sorry for him.
- We feel sorry for the old man.
adjective
informal
B1
property
4
in a poor or pitiful condition
In very bad condition or not good enough.
Sinonimi
pathetic (More judgmental and often insulting.)
Contrari
impressive (Causing admiration due to quality or condition.)
Collocazioni
a sorry state
|sorry excuse
Temi
descriptions
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Esempi
- The garden was in a sorry state after the storm.
- That’s a sorry excuse for being late.
- His shoes were in a sorry condition.
Esempi per chi studia
- The house is in a sorry state.
- This is a sorry excuse for food.
- My shoes are in a sorry condition.
Grammatica
Forma base
sorry
IPA
GB/sˈɑɹi/
US/sˈɑɹi/
Sillabe e accento
sorry (1 sillaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (sorry)
Forme flesse
Adjective
- Base: sorry
- Comparative: sorrier
- Superlative: sorriest
Famiglia di parole
Forms
sorrier
adjective
sorriest
adjective
Related words
apologetic
adjective
regret
noun B1
Negative and opposite forms
unapologetic
adjective
Advanced or less common
remorse
noun B2
remorseful
adjective C1
Espressioni
feel sorry for (someone)
1/fˈil sˈɑɹi fɚ sˈʌmwˌʌn/
fixed phrase
to pity someone’s situation
To feel bad because something bad happened to someone else.
Esempi
- I really feel sorry for her after hearing what happened.
- They felt sorry for the lost puppy.
sorry about that
1/sˈɑɹi əbˈaʊt ðˈæt/
fixed phrase
apologizing for something recent
Used to say you are sorry about something that just happened or was mentioned.
Esempi
- Sorry about that, I didn’t mean to interrupt.
- We’re sorry about that delay in service.
sorry not sorry
1/sˈɑɹi nˈɑt sˈɑɹi/
fixed phrase
informal
no real regret despite offense
Used when you say you are not really sorry about something, often in a joking or defiant way.
Esempi
- I ate the last slice of pizza—sorry not sorry.
- Sorry not sorry, but I had to tell the truth.
sorry to hear that
1/sˈɑɹi tə hˈɪɹ ðˈæt/
fixed phrase
express sympathy after bad news
Used to show you feel bad after hearing someone’s bad news.
Esempi
- I’m sorry to hear that your trip was cancelled.
- Sorry to hear that things didn’t go well.