How to say “I’m Sorry” in Japanese – Proper Ways to Apologize

Today, we will learn how to say “I’m sorry” in Japanese. It’s must-have knowledge of the Japanese language for good communication.

We will also focus on the corresponding facts with apologies in Japan, the cultural difference between the Western world and Japan, and the tips to use the appropriate phrases on each occasion.

Apology Words in Japanese

The following five expressions are the most common expressions for “I’m sorry” in Japanese.

Even though they have かんじ (Kanji | 漢字 | Chinese characters) forms, Japanese people usually write them in ひらがな (Hiragana | 平仮名).

Among these, the first phrase, ごめん (Gomen), is a very casual way. On the other hand, the fifth phrase, もうしわけありません (Moushiwakearimasen), is a very polite way of apologizing.

1. Casual form: ごめん (Gomen | 御免)
2. Colloquial form: ごめんね (Gomen ne | 御免ね)
3. Polite form: ごめんなさい (Gomennasai | 御免なさい)
4. Polite form: すみません (Sumimasen | 済みません)
5. Humble form: もうしわけありません (Moushiwakearimasen | 申し訳 ありま せん)

How to say “sorry” in Japanese

There are different ways to say “sorry” in Japanese, depending on to who you are apologizing. We’ve listed them below.

“Sorry” in Japanese (Casual)

To say “sorry” in Japanese casually is suitable if you want to express your light apology to close friends, families, and co-workers. However, they could be considered rude in certain formal situations.

The phrase ごめん (Gomen | Sorry) is the most common and universal word. It’s a very casual way to convey your apology and fits in many situations. The phrases below are marked with △ are mannish and rarely used among females.

To make some expressions a little more friendly, adding な (Na) / ね (Ne) / よ (Yo) at the end is an option. This trick doesn’t apply to しつれい (Shitsurei), though it is widely used. Still, some people consider ね (Ne) makes a word slightly feminine.

*past tense

“Sorry” in Japanese (Polite)

If you want to apologize in Japanese for something in a slightly formal situation, ごめんなさい (Gomennasai) and すみません (Sumimasen) are easy options. However, these two are not for all-purpose and only serve as light apologies.

Unlike some casual versions above, there is no gender difference in polite versions. You can use the following phrases in slightly formal situations, including in school, at a spontaneous meeting, and while traveling and shopping.

* past tense

Saying Sorry using Japanese Dialects

You can also encounter Japanese apology words that are said differently. These might be dialects from other parts of Japan. We’ve listed some of them below.

The Cultural Facts About Japanese Apology

There is more to a Japanese apology than just saying you’re sorry. It is best to also observe the cultural facts surrounding it.

What is the Correct Way to Say Sorry in Japanese?

In Japan, most people use polite expressions called けいご (Keigo | 敬語 | formal form, honorifics) when they want to show some respect or courtesy to others.

Using Keigo is expected when talking to older people, superiors, and strangers, and having the fundamental knowledge is essential in everyday life conversation. Besides, plain or casual speech is more natural among families and in close relationships.

Japanese Forms in Everyday Conversations

In connection to honorifics, here are other types of conversations that you might encounter if you are communicating with Japanese people.

How to Say I’m Sorry in Informal Situations?

Many native Japanese speakers use the expression ごめんなさい (Gomen nasai | I’m sorry) and すみません (Sumimasen | I’m sorry, Excuse me) in both standard forms and derived forms in everyday life conversations.

Light Colloquial Apology Examples

ごめんなさい (Gomen nasai) – Standard

すみません (Sumimasen) – Standard

How to Emphasize an Apology in Informal Situations?

Unfortunately, you can’t say すごくごめん (Sugoku gomen), いっぱいごめん (Ippai gomen), or とてもごめん (Totemo gomen) using well-known Japanese adjectives and adverbs with the meaning of very and a lot in Japanese.

Here is the list of the correct phrase to emphasize your apologies in Japanese.

How to Ask for Forgiveness in Informal Situations?

If you want to say sorry in Japanese to someone close to you, you can refer to the examples below on how to ask for forgiveness.

How to Say “I’m Sorry” in Formal/Business Situations?

Undoubtedly, the most common ways to apologize in Japanese are ごめんなさい (Gomennasai) and すみません (Sumimasen). Even though they are widely used in a relaxed working environment as well as in some private scenes, they could be a little too casual on certain occasions.

The following expressions are polite and respectful forms appropriate for a sincere apology and can serve both in speaking and writing. You might hear these when a problem arises while working or traveling.

How to Express the Deepest Apologies in Formal/Business Situations?

If you want to emphasize that you’re sincerely apologizing from the bottom of your heart, use もうしわけご ざいません (Moushiwake gozaimasen) rather than もうしわけありません (Moushiwake arimasen).

You can express your sincere apologies by adding たいへん (Taihen | 大変 | very, terribly) or other expressions at the beginning of the sentence, too.

Japanese Apologies in Formal/Business Situations

Here is a list of some useful Japanese apology expressions. Each phrase has several definitions, and you can use them in most situations to express your apology or gratitude.

Some of the words are called クッションことば (Kusshon kotoba | クッション言葉) and are used to mitigate the influence of the following bad news and relieve the listener’s tension. It’s also believed to make requests and suggestions less rude in Japan.

Examples of Other Japanese Apologies with Multiple Meanings

Some Japanese apology words have several meanings. Below are some useful examples.

1. おそれいります (Osoreirimasu | 恐れ入ります)

おいそがしいじかんにおそれいります。 (O isogashii jikan ni osoreirimasu. |お忙しい時間に恐れ入ります。)

I’m terribly sorry to bother you when you are busy.

おそれいりますが、スミスさんはいらっしゃいますか？ (Osoreirimasuga, Sumisu san wa irasshai masu ka? | 恐れ入りますが、スミスさんはいらっしゃいますか？)

Excuse me, but is there Mr. Smith?

やさしいおことば、おそれいります。 (Yasashii o kotoba, osoreirimasu. | やさしいお言葉、恐れ入ります。)

I’m grateful for your kind words.

2. きょうしゅくです (Kyoushuku desu | 恐縮です)

おやくにたてず、きょうしゅくです。O yasuku ni tatezu, kyoushuku desu. | お役に立てず、恐縮です。

I’m afraid I can’t help you.

たいへんきょうしゅくですが、おなまえをうかがってもよろしいでしょうか？(Taihen kyoushuku desu ga, o namae wo ukagattemo yoroshii deshou ka? | 大変恐縮ですが、お名前を伺ってもよろしいでしょうか)？

Excuse me, but may I have your surname?

きょうしゅくですが、おことばにあまえさせていただきます。(Kyoushuku desu ga, o kotoba ni amaesasete itadakimasu. | 恐縮ですが、お言葉に甘えさせていただきます。)

Thank you very much. I will accept your kind offer.

3. しつれいします、しつれいいたします (Shitsurei shimasu, Shitsurei itashimasu | 失礼します、失礼いたします)

おへんじがおそくなり、たいへんしつれいいたしました。(O henji ga osokunari, taihen shitsurei itashimashita. | お返事が遅くなり、大変失礼いたしました。)

I’m very sorry for the late reply.

ほんじつはありがとうございました。では、こちらでしつれいいたします。(Honjitsu wa arigatou gozaimashita. Dewa, kochira de shitsurei itashimasu. | 本日はありがとうございました。では、こちらで失礼いたします。)

Thank you for taking your time today. Then, please Excuse me.

おさきにしつれいします。(O saki ni shitsurei shimasu. | お先に失礼します。)

I’m leaving for today. See you tomorrow.

ざんねんです (Zannen desu | 残念です)

ざんねんですが、こんかいはふさいようとなりました。(Zannen desu ga, konkai wa fusaiyou to narimashita. | 残念ですが、今回は不採用となりました)。

We have decided not to move forward with your application.

それはざんねんですね。かのじょがきのどくです。 (Sore wa zannen desu ne. Kanojo ga kinodoku desu. | それは残念ですね。彼女が気の毒です。)

That’s unfortunate. I feel sorry for her.

When do we say “I’m sorry” in English and in Japanese?

When do you say sorry in English? Your answer might be the time when you feel regret about something, but English has at least these definitions for the same phrase.

1. feeling regret and unhappy about something
2. causing someone sorrow, pity, and scorn
3. asking someone for forgiveness
4. expressing one’s sympathy and grief
5. politely interrupting someone
6. asking someone to repeat
7. courteously disagreeing with someone’s opinion

Examples of Words of Condolence

Even though there is a cultural gap, people say “sorry” in Japanese in a similar way to the Western world.

Yet, the Japanese don’t say ごめんなさい (Gomennasai) to express ｗords of condolence, and they often show their gratitude or surprise by saying ごめんなさい (Gomennasai) and すみません (Sumimasen). It might sound a little odd though it’s one of the natural habits in Japan.

Examples of Words of Gratitude and Surprise

Have you ever thought or heard that people apologize too much by saying すみません (Sumimasen) in Japan? The reason might be more simple than you think.

Some Japanese native speakers use すみません (Sumimasen | I’m sorry, Excuse me) instead of ありがとう (Arigatou | Thank you) to express gratitude. It’s word-wise wrong and not recommended to people who are learning Japanese, but it’s commonly heard.

This phrase doesn’t mean sorry but indicates the speaker’s caring attitude toward the other party who took the labor, funds, and time to do something for them.

Apology in Japanese Culture and Custom

In this last chapter on how to apologize in Japanese, we will learn about Japanese culture and customs related to apology. You might find some tradition sounds interesting, so let’s find out!

Gestures of Apologies

For a friendly and light apology, simply communicating with the Japanese word ごめん (Gomen) is most common. It’s also typical to raise one hand, put their palms together, or give a light bow while saying sorry.

When someone feels deeply regretful about something, a deep bow accompanies rather than hand gestures. The bowing at 45 to 90 degrees is called さいけいれい (Saikeirei | 最敬礼), and it implies the most courteous and sincere apology.

There is a kneeling and bowing called どげざ (Dogeza | 土下座) only for extreme cases. However, these bows can work as a sign of greeting and thanks.

During the Samurai era, the Japanese ritual of suicide called せっぷく (Seppuku | 切腹) was an act of apology to show their aesthetics, loyalty, and pride.

Related Vocabularies

Here are more related vocabulary to the common gestures displayed when apologizing.

Letters, Gifts, and Compensation

Like in the West, an apology letter is a way to acknowledge one’s mistake and make an apology meaningful. Apology letters are called おわびじょう (Owabijou | お詫び状), and apology messages are called しゃざいぶん (Shazaibun | 謝罪文) in Japanese.

When Japanese people formally apologize, they often bring かしおり (Kashiori | 菓子折り | confectionery gift) together with an apology letter or a message card.

Related Vocabularies

Below are other words related to apology in Japanese.

Wrap Up

Now you know how to say “sorry” in Japanese! From the most common, casual ways to the extreme and intense apologies — you’ve got it all covered now.

While some of these will be more useful to you in everyday life, it’s a good idea to learn all of them.

What would you like to learn next? Let us know in the comments below! In the meantime, you can learn more commonly used phrases in Japan in our article on Japanese phrases.