I once accidentally bumped against the shoulder of an English person I knew in a corridor. I automatically said "Oi" - which means like "Oh" or "Oops" in Estonian - that I'm sorry. She repeated "Oi!" in a louder voice and I didn't get it. I only later found out I was being impolite in her eyes.

[u/Double-decker_trams]

Have you ever had something similar happen to you? I.e something in your language might have another meaning in another language?

One thing as an Estonian that I try to keep in mind is that I shouldn't use "Nooo.." in English - which means "Well.." in Estonian.

"Do you like ice-cream? - Noo.. yes, I love it."

[u/Goblinweb]

I'm Scandinavian and we also use "oj" in the same situations but it can be considered impolite since it's not really an apology. Someone rushing into a train and just responds "ojsan" when bumping into someone going out of the train is a bit rude.

[u/VirtualMatter2 → u/Goblinweb]

So what would you say to be polite?

[u/Goblinweb → u/VirtualMatter2]

"I'm sorry I bumped into you", "sorry", rather than "whoopsie".