Sorry is what you say when you've done something wrong and want someone to know you regret it. When you accidentally bump into someone in the hallway, step on their foot, or interrupt them while they're talking, saying “I'm sorry” acknowledges the mistake and shows you care about how it affected them.

A real apology includes understanding what you did wrong and feeling genuine regret. If your friend is upset because you forgot their birthday, saying “I'm sorry” while shrugging and looking at your phone doesn't mean much. A meaningful apology means looking them in the eye, explaining that you understand why they're hurt, and showing you will try to do better.

People also say sorry to express sympathy when something sad happens to someone else. If your classmate's pet dies, you might say “I'm so sorry” to show you care about their sadness, even though you didn't cause it.

Some people say sorry very often, apologizing for things that aren't their fault or aren't actually problems. Other people rarely say sorry at all, even when they might need to.