to apologize
HSK level
道歉 is written with 26 strokes (道: 12, 歉: 14). The animation replays automatically.
道歉 (dàoqiàn) is a verb meaning 'to apologize' or 'to make an apology.'
It is a verb-object compound — literally 'to speak (道) an apology (歉)' — which means it can split: you say 向他道歉 ('apologize to him') or 道个歉 ('offer an apology,' with a measure word inserted). This splitting behavior surprises English speakers, since 'apologize' is a single indivisible verb in English. You mark the person you apologize to with 向 or 跟 (向老板道歉, 'apologize to the boss'), not with a direct object.
道歉 is neutral in register and works in both casual and serious contexts. It is more formal and complete than simply saying 对不起 (duìbuqǐ, 'sorry'), which is the spoken apology itself; 道歉 describes the act of apologizing. Compare 抱歉 (bàoqiàn), which means 'to feel apologetic / regretful' and is closer to 'I'm sorry (I regret)'.
Character by character
Memory hook: 道 (to say) + 歉 (regret) → to voice your regret = to apologize.
道歉 appears in 2 Fluentide podcast episodes at natural native speed — each with the full Chinese script, pinyin, and line-by-line English translation.
你应该向她道歉。
Nǐ yīnggāi xiàng tā dàoqiàn.
You should apologize to her.
neutral
我来晚了，跟大家道个歉。
Wǒ lái wǎn le, gēn dàjiā dào ge qiàn.
I'm late, so let me apologize to everyone.
spoken
他为自己的错误公开道歉。
Tā wèi zìjǐ de cuòwù gōngkāi dàoqiàn.
He publicly apologized for his mistake.
written
只要你真诚地道歉，他会原谅你的。
Zhǐyào nǐ zhēnchéng de dàoqiàn, tā huì yuánliàng nǐ de.
As long as you apologize sincerely, he'll forgive you.
neutral
道谢 means 'to give thanks' — same 道 (to say) structure but with 谢 (thanks) instead of 歉 (regret). 道歉 = apologize, 道谢 = thank. One character apart.
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