对不起

Literal meaning

• 对

  duì

  toward; correct

• 不

  bu

  not

• 起

  qǐ

  rise

face · not · rise → “I can’t face you”

How to pronounce it

• 对

  duì

  dui4

  44th · falling

  d + “way”. Fall. This is the stressed beat.

• 不

  bu

  bu5

  ·neutral

  Unstressed. Squeeze it between the other two.

• 起

  qǐ

  qi3

  33rd · dipping

  Thin “chee” with a dip. Together it is an apology, not a confession of guilt.