Accepting Formal Apologies in Mandarin Chinese
Learn to accept formal apologies in Mandarin with phrases like 我接受你的道歉 and 谢谢你的道歉, and understand how acceptance differs from making an apology.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
Accepting an apology is a distinct conversational move from offering one. In Mandarin, formal acceptance often uses 接受 (jiēshòu, to accept) or 谢谢 (xièxie, thank you) followed by 道歉 (dàoqiàn, apology). This lesson teaches five useful phrases, a flexible pattern, and a short dialogue so you can respond politely when someone apologizes in a formal or semi-formal setting. Pay attention to tone and register: 我接受你的道歉 is relatively formal and direct, while 没关系 is more casual. You will also learn how to acknowledge an apology without necessarily forgiving the underlying action, which is important in workplace and service contexts.
By the end, you can…
- accept a formal apology using 我接受你的道歉 and similar phrases.
- thank someone for apologizing with 谢谢你的道歉.
- distinguish accepting an apology from saying 没关系 in casual speech.
- respond appropriately in a short formal apology exchange.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
我接受你的道歉。
I accept your apology.
wǒ jiēshòu nǐ de dàoqiàn
Formal and direct. Use in workplace, service, or written communication when you want to clearly state acceptance.
谢谢你的道歉。
Thank you for your apology.
xièxie nǐ de dàoqiàn
Polite and slightly warmer than 我接受你的道歉. It acknowledges the apology without explicitly saying you forgive.
我很感谢你来道歉。
I really appreciate that you came to apologize.
wǒ hěn gǎnxiè nǐ lái dàoqiàn
Emphasizes appreciation for the other person's effort. Useful when the apology was made in person or after some delay.
你的道歉我收到了。
I have received your apology.
nǐ de dàoqiàn wǒ shōudào le
Neutral and somewhat formal. Common in written replies or when you want to acknowledge receipt without promising forgiveness.
我接受你的道歉，但希望以后不会再发生。
I accept your apology, but I hope it won't happen again.
wǒ jiēshòu nǐ de dàoqiàn, dàn xīwàng yǐhòu bú huì zài fāshēng
Accepts the apology while setting a boundary. The 但 clause softens the acceptance and states a condition.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
A common pattern is 我接受 + [person] + 的道歉, meaning 'I accept [person]'s apology.' For example, 我接受你的道歉 (I accept your apology) and 我接受他的道歉 (I accept his apology). You can also use 谢谢 + [person] + 的道歉 to thank someone for apologizing: 谢谢你的道歉. To add appreciation, use 我很感谢 + [person] + 来道歉: 我很感谢你来道歉. These patterns keep the focus on the apology itself, not on the past action.
When to use it
Use 我接受你的道歉 in formal or semi-formal situations, such as after a colleague, service provider, or client apologizes. It is clear and slightly official. Use 谢谢你的道歉 when you want to be polite but not overly formal, for example with a classmate or neighbor. In casual settings among close friends, 没关系 (méi guānxi, it's okay) is more common and often replaces explicit acceptance. If you want to accept but still set a boundary, add 但希望以后不会再发生 (but I hope it won't happen again).
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
对不起，昨天我迟到了，让你等了很久。
I'm sorry, I was late yesterday and made you wait a long time.duìbuqǐ, zuótiān wǒ chídào le, ràng nǐ děng le hěn jiǔ谢谢你的道歉。我接受你的道歉，但希望以后能提前告诉我。
Thank you for your apology. I accept your apology, but I hope you can tell me in advance next time.xièxie nǐ de dàoqiàn. wǒ jiēshòu nǐ de dàoqiàn, dàn xīwàng yǐhòu néng tíqián gàosu wǒ好的，我明白了。以后我一定会提前通知你。
Okay, I understand. I will definitely notify you in advance next time.hǎo de, wǒ míngbai le. yǐhòu wǒ yídìng huì tíqián tōngzhī nǐ好的，那就这样。谢谢你来道歉。
Okay, that's settled then. Thank you for coming to apologize.hǎo de, nà jiù zhèyàng. xièxie nǐ lái dàoqiànA little context goes a long way
In Mandarin, accepting an apology can be more reserved than in some English-speaking contexts. 我接受你的道歉 is appropriate in formal or professional settings, while 没关系 is common among friends. Saying 谢谢你的道歉 can sound slightly formal but is polite. Avoid over-apologizing in response; a simple acceptance or thanks is usually enough.
One thing to watch for
Using 没关系 as a direct translation of 'I accept your apology' in a formal context.
Try this instead: 没关系 means 'it's okay' and is casual. In formal settings, use 我接受你的道歉 or 谢谢你的道歉. For example, after a colleague apologizes, say 我接受你的道歉 rather than 没关系.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you formally accept a colleague's apology in Mandarin?
Show a sample answer
我接受你的道歉。
This directly states acceptance and is appropriate for workplace or formal contexts. 谢谢你的道歉 is also acceptable if you want to sound slightly warmer.
2What phrase thanks someone for apologizing without explicitly saying you forgive them?
Show a sample answer
谢谢你的道歉。
It acknowledges the apology politely. 我很感谢你来道歉 is another valid option that emphasizes appreciation for the effort.
3How can you accept an apology but add a boundary?
Show a sample answer
我接受你的道歉，但希望以后不会再发生。
The 但 clause adds a condition. You could also say 但希望以后能提前告诉我 depending on the situation.
Use 我接受你的道歉 for formal acceptance, 谢谢你的道歉 for polite thanks, and 没关系 only in casual settings. Add 但希望以后... to accept while setting a boundary.
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