آسف على الإزعاج.

When to use

This standard Arabic (MSA) phrase is used to apologize specifically for causing inconvenience, interrupting, or bothering someone. It is a more specific apology than a simple 'sorry'.

How it works

The phrase combines the adjective for 'sorry' with a prepositional phrase explaining the reason.

• آسف (āsif): sorry (masculine)
• على (ʿalā): on / for
• الإزعاج (al-izʿāj): the bother / nuisance

Gender Agreement

Because 'آسف' (āsif) describes the speaker, it must agree with the speaker's gender. The phrase as written is for a male speaker. A female speaker must use the feminine form 'آسفة' (āsifa), making the phrase 'آسفة على الإزعاج' (āsifa ʿalā al-izʿāj).

Root & Pattern

The word 'izʿāj' (bother) comes from the root ز-ع-ج (z-ʿ-j). It follows the pattern 'ifʿāl' (إفعال), which often denotes causing an action to happen. Here, it literally means 'causing annoyance'.

Notes

Softens an interruption. Neutral polite wording.