Sorry!

1 对不起！duì bù qǐ!

Usually used when you did something wrong.

Literal translation:

对 duì: treat;face

不起 bù qǐ: can't afford

(Not every Chinese word has an accurate English translation, 对不起 is a very good example.)

Example:

A: 对不起,我踩了你的脚。

B: 没关系。

A: duì bù qǐ ,wǒ cǎi le nǐ de jiǎo 。

B: méi guān xì 。

A: Sorry I stepped on your foot.

B: It's ok.

2 不好意思 bù hǎo yì sī

Usually used when you need to ask someone a favor or you will do something that might bother others.

Literal translation

不好 bù hǎo:not good

意思 yì sī: meaning

Example:

A:不好意思,我可以用一下你的手机吗？

B: 没问题,给你。

A:bù hǎo yì sī ,wǒ kě yǐ yòng yī xià nǐ de shǒu jī ma ？

B:méi wèn tí ,gěi nǐ 。

A: Excuse me, may I use your phone?

B: no problem, here you go.

3 抱歉 bào qiàn

Same as 对不起, usually used when you did something wrong, a formal and fancier way to say sorry in Chinese

Literal translation

抱 bào: to hold

歉 qiàn: apology

Example:

A: 抱歉我来晚了。

B: 没事,坐吧。

A: bào qiàn wǒ lái wǎn le 。

B: méi shì ,zuò ba 。

A: Sorry I'm late

B: No worries, have a seat.