British people say "sorry" all the time, and not always to apologise. Someone bumps into you, and they say sorry. You bump into them, and they still say sorry. In this episode: • The many british sorries • Apologising for real • Accepting an apology • Disagreeing without a row • The broken mug • Practice • Self-check questions with answers Key phrases from this episode: Sorry! — an apology: I made a mistake Sorry? — with a rising voice: pardon, I didn't hear you Sorry, could I just squeeze past? — excuse me, to get past someone Sorry, is this seat free? — a polite way to start a request Sorry, sorry! — after a small bump, even when it isn't your fault Pardon? (PAH-dun) — I didn't hear you (polite); no R sound Excuse me (ik-SKYOOZ mee) — to get attention or to get past I'm really sorry — a strong, sincere apology (neutral) I'm so sorry — very sorry (neutral, warm) It was my fault — I accept the blame My fault — short form (casual) I didn't mean to — it was an accident I didn't mean it — I didn't really mean what I said I shouldn't have said that — saying it was a mistake I was out of order — I behaved badly (casual) I'll make it up to you — I'll do something nice to fix things Let me get you a new one — I'll replace it It's fine — no problem (neutral) Don't worry about it — it's not important (neutral, kind) Forget it — let's not talk about it any more (casual) No harm done — nothing bad really happened It happens — mistakes are normal (casual) Honestly, it's okay — I really mean it Apology accepted — a little formal or jokey a row (ROW, rhymes with cow) — a loud argument (casual) Real British English: the complete spoken course for learners worldwide — modern British accent, everyday grammar, phrasal verbs, idioms, slang, he/she/it for things, and real conversations at home. Listen, repeat out loud, then take the 52-question quiz. Audio voiced with AI from an original script by Dr. Rashmi R Nair.