désolé

Désolé is a French word commonly translated as "sorry" or "excuse me" in English. It is used to express regret, apologize for an offense, or politely interrupt someone. The word originates from the Latin "desolare," meaning to abandon or forsake, and its meaning evolved to signify a feeling of regret or distress.

In everyday French conversation, "désolé" is a versatile expression. It can be used in a wide range of situations, from minor inconveniences like bumping into someone to more significant apologies. For example, one might say "Désolé, je suis en retard" (Sorry, I'm late) or "Désolé de vous déranger" (Sorry to bother you). The degree of formality can be adjusted by adding qualifiers, such as "vraiment désolé" (really sorry) for greater emphasis.

The feminine form of the adjective is "désolée," used when the speaker is female. So, a man would say "Je suis désolé," while a woman would say "Je suis désolée." The plural form is "désolés" for a group of males or a mixed group, and "désolées" for a group of females. This grammatical agreement is a key feature of French adjective usage.

Beyond its literal meaning of apology, "désolé" can also convey a sense of sympathy or commiseration, similar to "I'm sorry to hear that" in English. In such contexts, it expresses shared sadness or regret over someone else's misfortune.