Tagalog 101: “I’m Sorry”

image source: memecrunch.com

In a modern Filipino setting, the way we say “sorry” in Tagalog is just plain ‘sorry’ but without the slang. But, there are other ways on how you say “I’m sorry” in Tagalog.
1. Patawarin mo ako, patawad po = forgive me
2. Paumanhin po = pardon me                                                                                                                                      3. Pasensya ka na

Here’s a situation:

Nanay: Ken, ano ka ba, kanina pa kita tinatawag, hindi ka mapuknat sa kakapanuod mo ng tv. Kakain na tayo! Pumunta ka na nga rito! Isusumbong kita sa Tatay mo!
Ken: Patawad po nanay, hindi ko po naririnig ang tawag nyo.

In this scenario, Ken’s mom is reprimanding him about watching tv. He’s been watching the television for a long time that he did not even hear his mom calling.

– Note that we add po after the word patawad, because Ken is talking to his mom. We add po as a sign of respect. You use it when you are talking to elders or to a crowd.

Here’s another situation:
Woman: Sinaktan mo lang ang damdamin ko. Pinaasa mo ako na babalik ka, at umasa naman ako. Akala ko mag d date tayo, yun pala, magbabasketball ka lang pala.
Man: Patawarin mo ako. BUkas, pramis, mag d date tayo. Patawarin mo na ako.

In this senerio, the woman is angry at the man because she thought they will have a date. Since the man played basketball and hurt his girlfriend’s feelings, he asked forgiveness and promise her another date.

– I felt that the phrase “patawarin mo ako” is more personal.

Anak: Mommy, ang sakit sakit ng sugat ko…

Nanay: Pasensya ka na anak ha, kailangan nating linisin ang sugat mo…

In this scenario, the kid is complaining about the pain of his wound, but the mom said sorry, you have to bear with the pain because we need to clean your wound.

-it’s like saying, sorry, we don’t have a choice 🙁

But if you just want to excuse yourself in public, say, you sneezed, will cut the queue, or unintentionally disturbing someone, you can just say, “sorry” which is like “pardon me” in english.
Zack: Achoo!
Paula: Ay ano ba yaaan!
Zack: Sorry po!
To be safe, if you’re not really sure on what tagalog word to use, you can just say, “Sorry po.”