HSK 3.0 · LEVEL 6
抱歉
To feel sorry; apologetic; regretful.
Free Chinese vocabulary flashcard · HSK 6
Why does 抱歉 look like this?
抱 (bào) consists of 扌 (hand radical) + 包 (bundle/wrap), suggesting 'to hold in arms.' 歉 (qiàn) consists of 兼 (simultaneous/combine) + 欠 (lack/owe), suggesting a feeling of deficiency or regret. Together, they describe 'holding a feeling of regret' in one's heart.