致歉 is a formal verb meaning 'to offer an apology' or 'to apologize'. It combines 致 (zhì), meaning 'to deliver', 'to present', or 'to direct toward', and 歉 (qiàn), meaning 'apology' or 'regret'. Together, they literally convey the idea of 'delivering an apology' — emphasizing intentionality, sincerity, and respect. This term is significantly more formal than everyday alternatives like 道歉 (dào qiàn) and is commonly used in written communication, official statements, public announcements, or professional settings where decorum and accountability matter.

You’ll often see 致歉 in contexts such as corporate press releases, government statements after errors, or formal letters. It rarely appears in casual speech among friends or family; using it there may sound stiff or overly solemn. The verb can stand alone or be paired with objects (e.g., 向…致歉 — 'apologize to…') or adverbial modifiers (e.g., 公开致歉 — 'publicly apologize'). Its formality makes it especially appropriate when acknowledging responsibility for serious oversights or institutional mistakes.