Apologies
How to say sorry in Hindi
Sorry is not one word in Hindi. Bumping into someone at the market and forgetting your father-in-law's birthday are two very different apologies. Here is what to say for each.
The quick one (very common)
सॉरी
sorry
Sorry. Borrowed from English, used everywhere in casual speech.
अरे सॉरी!
are sorry!
Oh sorry! (light, spontaneous, e.g. when you bump someone).
The sincere one
माफ़ करना
maaf karna
Please forgive me (to one person, informal or with respect via context).
माफ़ कीजिए
maaf keejiye
Please forgive me (polite, to elders or in-laws).
मुझे माफ़ कर दो
mujhe maaf kar do
Please forgive me (personal, to a partner or close friend).
The formal one
क्षमा करें
kshama karein
I beg your pardon (formal, literary, respectful writing).
Making it real
मुझसे ग़लती हो गई
mujhse galti ho gayi
I made a mistake (owning it, very sincere).
मेरी ग़लती है
meri galti hai
It is my fault.
फिर ऐसा नहीं होगा
phir aisa nahi hoga
It won't happen again.
Pronunciation notes
maaf: long "aa", soft "f" (Urdu-origin). Say "maaaf", not a snappy English "muff".
galti: the g is soft (Urdu qaf/ghain in some dialects, plain g in most). The t is retroflex, so tongue curls back for the "t".
What to say at family events
If you missed a call from your partner's mom: Maaf keejiye, phone nahi dekha(please forgive me, I didn't see the phone). Small, warm, over.