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Sorry in Farsi — Bebakhshid & 10 Persian Apology Phrases
The most common way to say sorry in Farsi is ببخشید (bebakhshid) — used in almost every situation, from bumping into someone in the street to apologising in a professional setting. But Persian has a range of apology expressions that carry different emotional weights, and using the right one signals genuine cultural understanding.
This guide covers all 10 expressions with pronunciation, when to use each one, and the cultural context that makes Persian apologies different from English ones.
Quick Answer
| ببخشید | Bebakhshid | Sorry / excuse me — works in almost all situations |
| معذرت میخواهم | Ma’zerat mikhaam | I apologise — formal, professional contexts |
| شرمندهام | Sharmandéam | I am ashamed / I am sorry — sincere and heartfelt |
The 10 Ways to Say Sorry in Farsi
The most versatile Persian apology — used in virtually every context. To get someone’s attention, to excuse yourself in a crowd, to apologise casually for a minor mistake, or to soften a request. If you learn only one apology phrase in Farsi, this is it.
The colloquial, slightly shortened form of bebakhshid used in everyday spoken Persian. You will hear this constantly in casual conversation. Grammatically it functions the same way — the difference is register, not meaning. Use bebakhshid in formal settings, bebakhshin with friends.
The formal standard apology in Persian. Used in professional settings, with people older than you, in written communication, and when a genuine, weighted apology is needed. معذرت (ma’zerat) comes from Arabic and means “excuse” or “pardon” — the full phrase literally means “I request your pardon.”
Carries deeper emotional weight than bebakhshid. شرم (sharm) means shame or embarrassment — saying شرمندهام acknowledges not just that you made a mistake but that you feel genuinely remorseful about it. Used for personal, sincere apologies between people who know each other. Never comes across as overdramatic.
A direct, honest admission of fault — not just an apology but an explicit acknowledgment that you were wrong. Used when you want to clearly accept responsibility, not just smooth over a social moment. Respected in Iranian culture for its directness.
Used when you are aware that you have taken someone’s time or attention. مزاحم (mozāhem) means a disturbance or bother — saying this phrase shows consideration for the other person’s time. Common at the start of a phone call, when asking a favour, or when you need something from a stranger.
A stronger self-critical expression — غلط means “wrong” or “error.” This goes beyond saying you made a mistake; it says you were fundamentally wrong. Use this for serious apologies where you want to fully acknowledge fault. Can sound overly dramatic in casual settings — reserve it for significant situations.
The standard way to begin a formal written apology in Persian — equivalent to “I write to apologise” in English. Used in professional emails, formal letters, and official correspondence. You will also see this as a closing: با عرض معذرت و احترام (with apologies and respect).
Combining خواهش میکنم (please / I request) with ببخشید creates a warmer, more personal apology — closer to “please forgive me” than just “sorry.” Used between people who have a relationship and where the apology genuinely matters.
A fuller version of شرمندهام — this specifies that you are ashamed of the particular action (این کار = this deed/action). It shows you have reflected on what you did, not just that you feel bad generally. Used when a specific action caused harm or upset and you want to acknowledge it precisely.
When to Use Each Apology — Quick Reference
| Situation | Farsi | Phrase |
|---|---|---|
| Bumped into someone / small mistake | ببخشید | Bebakhshid |
| Casual / friends | ببخشین | Bebakhshin |
| Professional / formal | معذرت میخواهم | Ma’zerat mikhaam |
| Sincere personal apology | شرمندهام | Sharmandéam |
| Admitting fault directly | اشتباه کردم | Eshtebaah kardam |
| Apologising for bothering someone | ببخشید که مزاحمتان شدم | Bebakhshid ke mozāhametoon shodam |
| Formal written apology | با عرض معذرت | Bā arze ma’zerat |
| Asking forgiveness in a relationship | خواهش میکنم ببخشید | Khāhesh mikonam bebakhshid |
| Deep regret / serious fault | غلط کردم | Ghalat kardam |
Bebakhshid Meaning — What Does It Actually Mean?
ببخشید comes from the verb بخشیدن (bakhshidan), which means “to forgive” or “to grant.” The prefix بب- (beb-) makes it a second-person imperative — so literally, ببخشید means “please forgive (me).” This is why it works both as “excuse me” when you need to get past someone and as “sorry” when you have genuinely caused an inconvenience — in both cases you are asking for the other person’s forgiveness.
💡 Bebakhshid vs bebakhshin — what is the difference?
Both mean the same thing. ببخشید (bebakhshid) uses the formal second-person plural form — correct for strangers, elders, and formal settings. ببخشین (bebakhshin) is the colloquial spoken form used with friends and peers. In practice most native speakers use bebakhshin casually without thinking about it — both are completely natural.
Apologies in Persian Culture — What You Need to Know
Persian apologies carry cultural weight that goes beyond the words themselves. Understanding the cultural context makes your apology land correctly.
⚠️ The ta’arof factor
In Persian culture, ببخشید is used far more frequently than “sorry” in English — as a social lubricant, to soften requests, and to show consideration even when no fault has occurred. When someone enters a room, approaches a stranger, or asks a question, ببخشید often comes first. Do not over-read every ببخشید as a genuine apology — in many contexts it simply means “excuse me” or “may I.”
✅ How to respond when someone apologises to you
- خواهش میکنم (Khāhesh mikonam) — You’re welcome / Please don’t mention it. The standard response.
- مهم نیست (Mohem nist) — It doesn’t matter / It’s fine. Dismissing the issue kindly.
- عیبی نداره (Eybi nadāre) — No problem / It’s okay. Very common in casual speech.
- بخشیدم (Bakhshidam) — I forgive you. Used when someone sincerely asks for forgiveness.
Real Conversation Examples
Casual — between friends
Formal — at work or with an elder
Sincere — after a real mistake
Bothering someone
Learn to Use These Phrases Naturally
Reading apology phrases is one thing — knowing exactly when bebakhshid sounds right and when ma’zerat mikhaam is needed comes from real conversation with a native speaker. Danaa tutors teach you to speak Persian naturally, not just correctly.
Book a Free Trial Lesson →Free trial · From £10/session · Native Persian tutors
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common way to say sorry in Farsi?
ببخشید (bebakhshid) is the most common and versatile apology in Farsi. It works in virtually every situation — from casual social interactions to slightly formal contexts. For very formal situations (professional emails, serious apologies), use معذرت میخواهم (ma’zerat mikhaam) instead.
What does bebakhshid mean?
ببخشید (bebakhshid) literally means “please forgive” — it comes from the verb بخشیدن (bakhshidan, to forgive). It functions as both “excuse me” and “sorry” in Persian depending on context. The colloquial spoken form is ببخشین (bebakhshin), used with friends and peers.
How do you say sorry formally in Persian?
The formal apology in Persian is معذرت میخواهم (ma’zerat mikhaam) — “I apologise.” Use this with elders, in professional settings, and in written communication. For written letters and emails specifically, begin with با عرض معذرت (bā arze ma’zerat) — “with apologies.”
How do you respond to an apology in Farsi?
The standard response is خواهش میکنم (khāhesh mikonam) — “you’re welcome / please don’t mention it.” For something minor, مهم نیست (mohem nist — it doesn’t matter) or عیبی نداره (eybi nadāre — no problem) are natural. If someone sincerely asks for forgiveness, بخشیدم (bakhshidam — I forgive you) is the appropriate response.
Is there a difference between شرمنده and ببخشید?
Yes — ببخشید (bebakhshid) is the everyday apology, used for small mistakes and social situations. شرمندهام (sharmandéam) carries more emotional weight — it means “I am ashamed” and conveys genuine remorse rather than just social courtesy. Use شرمندهام when you genuinely feel bad about something, not as a reflex sorry.
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