A Contrastive Analysis of Common Apology Expressions in Chinese and Spanish and an Investigation of Learner Errors

Wu Meiling

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijll.20251304.13

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A Contrastive Analysis of Common Apology Expressions in Chinese and Spanish and an Investigation of Learner Errors

Wu Meiling^*

Published in International Journal of Language and Linguistics (Volume 13, Issue 4)

Received: 13 July 2025 Accepted: 25 July 2025 Published: 13 August 2025

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Abstract

This study conducts a contrastive analysis of apology expressions in Chinese and Spanish, focusing on expressions such as 对不起 (duì bu qǐ), 抱歉 (bào qiàn), 不好意思 (bù hǎo yì si), 原谅 (yuán liàng), and 麻烦 (má fan), and their Spanish counterparts including disculpa, perdón, lo siento, and perdonar. Drawing upon practical learner examples and corpus observations, the paper identifies frequent error types among Spanish-speaking learners of Chinese, examining mismatches in semantic intensity, politeness strategies, and cultural expectations. The research is grounded in three theoretical frameworks: Interlanguage Pragmatics (Kasper & Blum-Kulka), which explores pragmatic development in second language acquisition; Politeness Theory (Brown & Levinson), which provides a model for understanding face-threatening acts like apologies; and Error Analysis (Corder), which enables the systematic identification and interpretation of learner errors. The study adopts a qualitative corpus-informed contrastive approach, analyzing illustrative learner expressions collected through classroom observation and written assignments, and comparing them with native Chinese usage. Findings reveal that pragmatic failures often arise from semantic transfer, sociocultural mismatches, and structural differences in apology realization. Learners struggle with calibrating the appropriate intensity of apology expressions, often overgeneralizing 对不起 and underusing culturally softer forms like 不好意思 or 抱歉 in minor situations. Additionally, the influence of Spanish honorific and remedial patterns leads to mismatches in politeness strategies and discourse coherence in Chinese. By highlighting these error patterns and their underlying causes, the paper contributes to the field of interlanguage pragmatics and cross-cultural language teaching. Pedagogical recommendations include raising learners’ awareness of semantic nuance and politeness conventions in Chinese, using contextualized teaching, and explicitly addressing contrastive patterns in apology usage between Chinese and Spanish.

Published in	International Journal of Language and Linguistics (Volume 13, Issue 4)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijll.20251304.13
Page(s)	177-186
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Chinese, Spanish, Contrastive Analysis, Apology Expressions, Pragmatics

References

[1]	Blum-Kulka, S., House, J., Kasper, G. Cross-cultural pragmatics: Requests and apologies. Ablex Publishing Corporation, Norwood, NJ, 1989. https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/26896970
[2]	郝晓梅. (2005). 对汉语道歉语“对不起”的语用分析 [A Pragmatic Analysis of the Chinese Apology Expression “Duìbuqǐ”]. 北京化工大学学报(社会科学版), (02), 51-55.
[3]	Brown, P., Levinson, S. C. Politeness: Some universals in language usage. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 1987. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511813085
[4]	Austin, J. L. How to do things with words. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK, 1975. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198245537.001.0001
[5]	Benjamin, W. (1978). On the mimetic faculty. In Reflections, pp. 333-336. Schocken Books.
[6]	Lakoff, R. (1973). The logic of politeness; or, minding your p’s and q’s. In C. Corum, T. Cedric Smith-Stark, & A. Weiser (Eds.), Papers from the Ninth Regional Meeting of the Chicago Linguistic Society, pp. 292-305. Chicago Linguistic Society.
[7]	肖晗. (2017). 中西交际中道歉语的使用研究——基于情景语境与文化语境的视角 [A Study on the Use of Apology Expressions in Chinese and Western Communication—From the Perspective of Situational and Cultural Contexts]. 沈阳大学学报(社会科学版), 19(04), 485-489. https://doi.org/10.16103/j.cnki.21-1582/c.2017.04.021
[8]	Holmes, J. (1990). Apologies in New Zealand English. Language in Society, 19(2), 155-199. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0047404500014366
[9]	Searle, J. R. Expression and meaning: Studies in the theory of speech acts. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 1979. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511609213
[10]	Holmes, J. Sex differences and apologies: One aspect of communicative competence. Applied Linguistics, 1989, 10(2), 194-213. https://doi.org/10.1093/applin/10.2.194
[11]	Speech Act Theory: An Inter/Intra-cultural Study of Apology in Linguistics. Biblioteka Nauki, 2022. https://bibliotekanauki.pl/articles/2196165.pdf
[12]	Kadar, D. Z. Public ritual apology—a case study of Chinese. Journal of Pragmatics, 2018, 125, 47-62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pragma.2017.11.010
[13]	Medina López, J. (2023). Formas de perdón, arrepentimiento y disculpas en la historia del español [Forms of Forgiveness, Repentance, and Apologies in the History of Spanish]. Nueva Revista de Filología Hispánica, 71(2), 499-529. https://doi.org/10.24201/nrfh.v71i2.3867
[14]	Song, L., Liu, L. Apologies in Chinese and English—A research report. Intercultural Communication Studies, 2002, XI (3), 131-152. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pragma.2024.10.005
[15]	Guan, X. Cross-cultural differences in apology. Journal of Pragmatics, 2009, 41(7), 1376-1386. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pragma.2008.08.006

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Meiling, W. (2025). A Contrastive Analysis of Common Apology Expressions in Chinese and Spanish and an Investigation of Learner Errors. International Journal of Language and Linguistics, 13(4), 177-186. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20251304.13

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Meiling, W. A Contrastive Analysis of Common Apology Expressions in Chinese and Spanish and an Investigation of Learner Errors. Int. J. Lang. Linguist. 2025, 13(4), 177-186. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.20251304.13

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Meiling W. A Contrastive Analysis of Common Apology Expressions in Chinese and Spanish and an Investigation of Learner Errors. Int J Lang Linguist. 2025;13(4):177-186. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.20251304.13

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@article{10.11648/j.ijll.20251304.13,
  author = {Wu Meiling},
  title = {A Contrastive Analysis of Common Apology Expressions in Chinese and Spanish and an Investigation of Learner Errors
},
  journal = {International Journal of Language and Linguistics},
  volume = {13},
  number = {4},
  pages = {177-186},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijll.20251304.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20251304.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijll.20251304.13},
  abstract = {This study conducts a contrastive analysis of apology expressions in Chinese and Spanish, focusing on expressions such as 对不起 (duì bu qǐ), 抱歉 (bào qiàn), 不好意思 (bù hǎo yì si), 原谅 (yuán liàng), and 麻烦 (má fan), and their Spanish counterparts including disculpa, perdón, lo siento, and perdonar. Drawing upon practical learner examples and corpus observations, the paper identifies frequent error types among Spanish-speaking learners of Chinese, examining mismatches in semantic intensity, politeness strategies, and cultural expectations. The research is grounded in three theoretical frameworks: Interlanguage Pragmatics (Kasper & Blum-Kulka), which explores pragmatic development in second language acquisition; Politeness Theory (Brown & Levinson), which provides a model for understanding face-threatening acts like apologies; and Error Analysis (Corder), which enables the systematic identification and interpretation of learner errors. The study adopts a qualitative corpus-informed contrastive approach, analyzing illustrative learner expressions collected through classroom observation and written assignments, and comparing them with native Chinese usage. Findings reveal that pragmatic failures often arise from semantic transfer, sociocultural mismatches, and structural differences in apology realization. Learners struggle with calibrating the appropriate intensity of apology expressions, often overgeneralizing 对不起 and underusing culturally softer forms like 不好意思 or 抱歉 in minor situations. Additionally, the influence of Spanish honorific and remedial patterns leads to mismatches in politeness strategies and discourse coherence in Chinese. By highlighting these error patterns and their underlying causes, the paper contributes to the field of interlanguage pragmatics and cross-cultural language teaching. Pedagogical recommendations include raising learners’ awareness of semantic nuance and politeness conventions in Chinese, using contextualized teaching, and explicitly addressing contrastive patterns in apology usage between Chinese and Spanish.},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - A Contrastive Analysis of Common Apology Expressions in Chinese and Spanish and an Investigation of Learner Errors

AU  - Wu Meiling
Y1  - 2025/08/13
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20251304.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijll.20251304.13
T2  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
JF  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
JO  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
SP  - 177
EP  - 186
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-0221
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20251304.13
AB  - This study conducts a contrastive analysis of apology expressions in Chinese and Spanish, focusing on expressions such as 对不起 (duì bu qǐ), 抱歉 (bào qiàn), 不好意思 (bù hǎo yì si), 原谅 (yuán liàng), and 麻烦 (má fan), and their Spanish counterparts including disculpa, perdón, lo siento, and perdonar. Drawing upon practical learner examples and corpus observations, the paper identifies frequent error types among Spanish-speaking learners of Chinese, examining mismatches in semantic intensity, politeness strategies, and cultural expectations. The research is grounded in three theoretical frameworks: Interlanguage Pragmatics (Kasper & Blum-Kulka), which explores pragmatic development in second language acquisition; Politeness Theory (Brown & Levinson), which provides a model for understanding face-threatening acts like apologies; and Error Analysis (Corder), which enables the systematic identification and interpretation of learner errors. The study adopts a qualitative corpus-informed contrastive approach, analyzing illustrative learner expressions collected through classroom observation and written assignments, and comparing them with native Chinese usage. Findings reveal that pragmatic failures often arise from semantic transfer, sociocultural mismatches, and structural differences in apology realization. Learners struggle with calibrating the appropriate intensity of apology expressions, often overgeneralizing 对不起 and underusing culturally softer forms like 不好意思 or 抱歉 in minor situations. Additionally, the influence of Spanish honorific and remedial patterns leads to mismatches in politeness strategies and discourse coherence in Chinese. By highlighting these error patterns and their underlying causes, the paper contributes to the field of interlanguage pragmatics and cross-cultural language teaching. Pedagogical recommendations include raising learners’ awareness of semantic nuance and politeness conventions in Chinese, using contextualized teaching, and explicitly addressing contrastive patterns in apology usage between Chinese and Spanish.
VL  - 13
IS  - 4
ER  -

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Author Information

Wu Meiling

Confucius Institute, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain. School of Humanities, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China

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http://orcid.org/0009-0005-1797-2927

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Meiling, W. (2025). A Contrastive Analysis of Common Apology Expressions in Chinese and Spanish and an Investigation of Learner Errors. International Journal of Language and Linguistics, 13(4), 177-186. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20251304.13

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ACS Style

Meiling, W. A Contrastive Analysis of Common Apology Expressions in Chinese and Spanish and an Investigation of Learner Errors. Int. J. Lang. Linguist. 2025, 13(4), 177-186. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.20251304.13

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AMA Style

Meiling W. A Contrastive Analysis of Common Apology Expressions in Chinese and Spanish and an Investigation of Learner Errors. Int J Lang Linguist. 2025;13(4):177-186. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.20251304.13

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@article{10.11648/j.ijll.20251304.13,
  author = {Wu Meiling},
  title = {A Contrastive Analysis of Common Apology Expressions in Chinese and Spanish and an Investigation of Learner Errors
},
  journal = {International Journal of Language and Linguistics},
  volume = {13},
  number = {4},
  pages = {177-186},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijll.20251304.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20251304.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijll.20251304.13},
  abstract = {This study conducts a contrastive analysis of apology expressions in Chinese and Spanish, focusing on expressions such as 对不起 (duì bu qǐ), 抱歉 (bào qiàn), 不好意思 (bù hǎo yì si), 原谅 (yuán liàng), and 麻烦 (má fan), and their Spanish counterparts including disculpa, perdón, lo siento, and perdonar. Drawing upon practical learner examples and corpus observations, the paper identifies frequent error types among Spanish-speaking learners of Chinese, examining mismatches in semantic intensity, politeness strategies, and cultural expectations. The research is grounded in three theoretical frameworks: Interlanguage Pragmatics (Kasper & Blum-Kulka), which explores pragmatic development in second language acquisition; Politeness Theory (Brown & Levinson), which provides a model for understanding face-threatening acts like apologies; and Error Analysis (Corder), which enables the systematic identification and interpretation of learner errors. The study adopts a qualitative corpus-informed contrastive approach, analyzing illustrative learner expressions collected through classroom observation and written assignments, and comparing them with native Chinese usage. Findings reveal that pragmatic failures often arise from semantic transfer, sociocultural mismatches, and structural differences in apology realization. Learners struggle with calibrating the appropriate intensity of apology expressions, often overgeneralizing 对不起 and underusing culturally softer forms like 不好意思 or 抱歉 in minor situations. Additionally, the influence of Spanish honorific and remedial patterns leads to mismatches in politeness strategies and discourse coherence in Chinese. By highlighting these error patterns and their underlying causes, the paper contributes to the field of interlanguage pragmatics and cross-cultural language teaching. Pedagogical recommendations include raising learners’ awareness of semantic nuance and politeness conventions in Chinese, using contextualized teaching, and explicitly addressing contrastive patterns in apology usage between Chinese and Spanish.},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - A Contrastive Analysis of Common Apology Expressions in Chinese and Spanish and an Investigation of Learner Errors

AU  - Wu Meiling
Y1  - 2025/08/13
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20251304.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijll.20251304.13
T2  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
JF  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
JO  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
SP  - 177
EP  - 186
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-0221
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20251304.13
AB  - This study conducts a contrastive analysis of apology expressions in Chinese and Spanish, focusing on expressions such as 对不起 (duì bu qǐ), 抱歉 (bào qiàn), 不好意思 (bù hǎo yì si), 原谅 (yuán liàng), and 麻烦 (má fan), and their Spanish counterparts including disculpa, perdón, lo siento, and perdonar. Drawing upon practical learner examples and corpus observations, the paper identifies frequent error types among Spanish-speaking learners of Chinese, examining mismatches in semantic intensity, politeness strategies, and cultural expectations. The research is grounded in three theoretical frameworks: Interlanguage Pragmatics (Kasper & Blum-Kulka), which explores pragmatic development in second language acquisition; Politeness Theory (Brown & Levinson), which provides a model for understanding face-threatening acts like apologies; and Error Analysis (Corder), which enables the systematic identification and interpretation of learner errors. The study adopts a qualitative corpus-informed contrastive approach, analyzing illustrative learner expressions collected through classroom observation and written assignments, and comparing them with native Chinese usage. Findings reveal that pragmatic failures often arise from semantic transfer, sociocultural mismatches, and structural differences in apology realization. Learners struggle with calibrating the appropriate intensity of apology expressions, often overgeneralizing 对不起 and underusing culturally softer forms like 不好意思 or 抱歉 in minor situations. Additionally, the influence of Spanish honorific and remedial patterns leads to mismatches in politeness strategies and discourse coherence in Chinese. By highlighting these error patterns and their underlying causes, the paper contributes to the field of interlanguage pragmatics and cross-cultural language teaching. Pedagogical recommendations include raising learners’ awareness of semantic nuance and politeness conventions in Chinese, using contextualized teaching, and explicitly addressing contrastive patterns in apology usage between Chinese and Spanish.
VL  - 13
IS  - 4
ER  -

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