Say Sorry I'm Late and My Bad in Casual French
Learn short, informal French apologies for small everyday slip-ups, plus simple ways to accept someone else's apology.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
French has a clear split between formal apologies and quick, everyday ones. If you arrive a few minutes late, bump into someone, or make a small mistake among friends, you do not need a long, serious sentence. This lesson gives you short, natural expressions such as Désolé and Pardon, shows when each one fits, and teaches you how to reply when someone apologizes to you.
By the end, you can…
- apologize briefly in French for being late or for a small mistake.
- choose between casual and slightly more formal apology phrases.
- accept an apology politely in everyday French.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Désolé, je suis en retard.
Sorry, I'm late.
day-zoh-LAY, zhuh swee zahn ruh-TAR
The most common everyday apology for lateness. A woman says Désolée, pronounced the same. Use it with friends, family, classmates and colleagues you know well.
Désolé du retard !
Sorry about the delay!
day-zoh-LAY doo ruh-TAR
A shorter, very common variant. It works when you have just arrived and want to acknowledge the delay without a full sentence.
Pardon !
Sorry! / Excuse me!
par-DOHN
Said quickly after bumping into someone, stepping on a foot, or interrupting. It is short and neutral, suitable in shops and on public transport.
Désolé, c'est ma faute.
Sorry, that's my fault.
day-zoh-LAY, say ma FOHT
The closest everyday equivalent of 'My bad'. Use it when you clearly caused a small problem, such as spilling a drink or forgetting something.
Ce n'est pas grave.
It's not a big deal. / No worries.
suh nay pah GRAHV
The standard reply when someone apologizes to you. It accepts the apology and closes the matter without sounding cold.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
For a quick apology, French often uses just Désolé plus a short reason: Désolé, je suis en retard. Désolé, j'ai oublié. Désolé, je n'ai pas vu. The word Désolé agrees with the speaker, so a woman writes Désolée, though the pronunciation is identical. To accept an apology, the fixed phrase Ce n'est pas grave is the safest choice.
When to use it
Use Pardon for accidental physical contact and Désolé for something you did or failed to do, such as arriving late. Désolé, c'est ma faute works well with friends and colleagues. With a teacher, a doctor or an official, prefer Excusez-moi or Je suis désolé, which sound more careful. In Quebec, people also say Désolé and Pardon, and you may hear the informal C'est correct to mean 'It's fine'.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Désolé, je suis en retard !
Sorry, I'm late!day-zoh-LAY, zhuh swee zahn ruh-TARCe n'est pas grave, on vient de commencer.
It's not a big deal, we just started.suh nay pah GRAHV, ohn vyan duh koh-mahn-SAYMerci. J'ai raté le bus.
Thanks. I missed the bus.mair-SEE. zhay rah-TAY luh BOOSSPas de souci, assieds-toi.
No worries, sit down.pah duh soo-SEE, ah-syay-TWAA little context goes a long way
French everyday apologies are usually short, but the choice of words still signals politeness. Désolé and Pardon are fine with friends, while Excusez-moi or Je suis désolé suit more formal situations. In France, a brief apology is expected and a long one can feel excessive; in Quebec, informal replies like C'est correct are common among friends.
One thing to watch for
Using Pardon to apologize for being late, as in Pardon, je suis en retard.
Try this instead: Pardon is mainly for accidental contact or interruption. For lateness, say Désolé, je suis en retard or Désolé du retard. Keep Pardon for things like Pardon, je ne vous ai pas vu.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You arrive five minutes late to a meeting with friends. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
Désolé, je suis en retard.
This is the standard brief apology for lateness. Désolé du retard is also correct and slightly shorter.
2Someone apologizes to you for a small mistake. What can you reply?
Show a sample answer
Ce n'est pas grave.
This accepts the apology and closes the issue politely. Pas de souci or Pas grave are also fine in casual speech.
3You accidentally step on someone's foot in a busy station. Which short word fits best?
Show a sample answer
Pardon !
Pardon is the natural quick apology for accidental contact. Désolé would also be understood, but Pardon is more typical here.
For small everyday problems, keep it short: Désolé or Pardon, plus a brief reason if needed. Reply to an apology with Ce n'est pas grave.
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