「Sorry！」和「I am so/very sorry.」兩句的長度一比較，馬上知道哪一個顯得更為慎重。
中文的道歉也許有各種不同說法，但在英文裡，就算都用同一個字，也可以靠改變句子結構來表現出程度差異。
另外也請記得，如果要認真道歉的話，就要像下面例句一樣，把道歉的理由說明清楚。
I am so sorry for having to cancel our appointment today due to my business trip.
（我真的很抱歉必須取消今天的會面，因為我要出差。）
想表達正式程度的重點
中文和英文都一樣，通常越長越好
不要用省略形式
善用副詞強調語氣
接下來，繼續看看除了”sorry”以外，其他表達「我很抱歉」的英文用法。
用apologize來表達「我很抱歉」
道歉時除了說sorry之外，還有其他說法。.
這邊介紹”apologize”和”apology”，特別常見於商務場合。
以下就搭配例句，詳細介紹各種正確和不恰當的用法。
apologize
不及物動詞（道歉、賠罪）
apologize是美式英文，英式英文則拚做apologise。
（正確用法1）
A: You were supposed to call me yesterday about the project.
B: I totally forgot. I do apologize.
A: 你昨天本來應該要打電話來討論那個企劃。
B: 我完全忘了。真的很抱歉。
（最好避免的講法1）
A: You were supposed to call me yesterday about the project. B: I totally forgot. Sorry about that.
A: 你昨天本來應該要打電話來討論那個企劃。
B: 我完全忘了。真不好意思。
※be supposed to+動詞＝應該要～
在這種工作場合，說”Sorry about it.”，對方是沒辦法感受到誠意的。
最好還是要選擇apologize這種比較正式的用法。
（正確用法2）
A: You sent the wrong size pair of shoes. B: I sincerely apologize. I am going to send the right ones today.
A: 你送過來的鞋子尺寸不對。
B: 真的非常抱歉。我今天會把正確的商品寄出。
（最好避免的講法2）
A: You sent the wrong size pair of shoes. B: Sorry to hear that. I am going to send the right ones today.
A: 你送過來的鞋子尺寸不對。
B: 真糟糕。我今天會把正確的商品寄出。
※sincerely＝真誠地、發自內心地
“Sorry to hear that.”這句話重點在傳達我很遺憾的那份感受，用在道歉的場合是非常不適合的。
這種說法容易給對方一種事不關己的態度，所以一定要在用詞上注意選擇。
以上面例句來說，可以看出這是一個日常生活中，常見的面對客訴的處理場景，
這時一定要記得保持專業度和禮貌，針對錯誤本身道歉，才能夠往下繼續處理。
apology
→ 名詞（賠罪、道歉）
也常常可以看到以“apologies”形式出現的複數型態。
A: Am I not getting a refund for the flight? B: My apologies, there are no terms and conditions regarding it.
A: 我的班機不能退費嗎？
B: 非常抱歉。根據政策並沒辦法退費。
※refund＝退費
※terms and conditions＝規則條款
A: I couldn’t attend the conference because the invitation card you gave me had the wrong information about the venue. B: Please accept my sincere apologies about that.
Customer: Hi, I’m calling you as I didn’t receive my parcel today. Also, it got me into trouble, as I couldn’t do other things and I was stuck at home because of it. Company: I sincerely apologize. Could you please tell me the reference number? Customer: XXXXX Company: Thank you. Yes, the parcel should have been delivered today as you said. Sorry for the inconvenience. Customer: I want to cancel it and get a refund. Company: OK, let me help you out, please hang on.
Customer: OK. Company: It’s sorted, and you will get the refund within 3 working days. Customer: Thank you. Company: I am very sorry, so we would like to send you a £5 e-voucher as well. Customer: Thank you for your help.
（中文翻譯）
顧客：你好，我今天是打來告訴你們，我訂的包裹一直沒有收到這件事。而且最麻煩的是，我為了等包裹一直待在家，結果很多事都沒辦法去辦。
企業：真的非常抱歉。可以請您告訴我編號嗎？
顧客：XXXXX
I would like to apologize for the problem that happened yesterday. （我想針對昨天發生的問題道歉。）
Please accept my apologies for the misunderstanding. （請接受我對於所造成誤會的道歉。）
接下來再看看信件中的用法。
現在已經是個通訊軟體發達，溝通便捷的時代。
不過，接踵而來的就是，許多因涉及侵犯到他人隱私的貼文，讓作者不得不出來道歉的事件。
以下這個例子，就是以一個沒有未經主管同意，就把他的照片貼上網路作為背景的道歉信。
Subject: Apology email
Dear Mr. Clark,
This is an email of apology regarding the matter of the picture I posted of you and me on Instagram without your permission.
I was contacted by Mr. Palmer in the HR department and he asked if I had asked you whether it would be okay to post it. Then carelessly, I realized I had posted it without asking.
I have now deleted the post and thought that I should let you know it had been done.
Please accept my sincere apologies, and I promise that it won’t happen again.
Yours sincerely,
Adam Sinclaire
The Sales Department
