Have you ever noticed how, as South Africans, we use the word ‘sorry’ a lot? And there’s a whole lot of different ways to say it too.

A quick guide to using ‘sorry’ as a South African:

1. To genuinely apologise.

2. To politely get someone’s attention

3. To ask someone to repeat what they said

4. To put your foot down. “No. I’m Sorry. I’m putting my foot down”

5. To threaten someone. It’s all about the tone.