Translation guide
How to apologize naturally in Japanese, from casual 'sorry' to formal apologies.
Light apology among friends, family, or in informal situations.
Casual 'sorry'. Use with close friends, family, or children. Not for formal situations.
ごめん、遅くなった。
Sorry I'm late.
あ、ごめん！
Oh, sorry!
Politer than ごめん, but still casual. Often used by children or in slightly more polite informal settings.
ごめんなさい、忘れちゃった。
Sorry, I forgot.
Very casual, masculine 'my bad'. Used among close male friends.
悪い、悪い。
My bad, my bad.
Polite apology suitable for most everyday situations, with strangers, colleagues, or in service contexts.
Versatile polite apology. Also used to get attention or express thanks. Safe for most situations.
すみません、間違えました。
I'm sorry, I made a mistake.
あ、すみません！
Oh, excuse me / sorry!
Formal apology. Stronger than すみません. Used in business or when you've caused real inconvenience.
ご迷惑をおかけして申し訳ありません。
I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.
Polite apology for a minor breach of etiquette, like interrupting or leaving early. Literally 'I was rude'.
お先に失礼しました。
Excuse me for leaving before you.
Deep apology in professional or serious contexts, often with a bowing nuance.
Very formal apology. Standard in customer service and business when taking responsibility.
大変申し訳ございませんでした。
I am terribly sorry.
Very formal written or spoken apology. Often used in official statements.
心よりお詫び申し上げます。
We sincerely apologize.
Formal 'I apologize'. Used in official or legal contexts. Less common in daily speech.
当社はこの件について深く謝罪します。
Our company deeply apologizes for this matter.
Saying sorry for doing something specific, often using the て-form + apology word.
Casual pattern: verb て-form + ごめん. Apologize for a specific action.
Polite pattern: verb て-form + すみません. Apologize for a specific action politely.
お待たせしてすみません。
Sorry to have kept you waiting.
Formal pattern: verb て-form + 申し訳ありません. Strong apology for a specific action.
ご迷惑をおかけして申し訳ありません。
I apologize for causing you trouble.
Expressing regret for something you did, often using past tense or 〜た form.
Casual-polite apology for a past action. Often used by younger people or in semi-formal settings.
嘘をついてごめんなさい。
I'm sorry for lying.
Means 'I'm reflecting on my actions'. Shows remorse beyond a simple apology.
自分の行動を反省しています。
I'm reflecting on my behavior.
Apologizing in written communication, emails, or letters.
Standard formal apology in business emails.
ご不便をおかけし申し訳ございません。
We apologize for any inconvenience.
Very formal written apology, often in official letters.
このたびはご迷惑をおかけし、深くお詫び申し上げます。
We deeply apologize for the trouble caused this time.
Explaining why you are sorry, often using 〜ので or 〜から.
Casual-polite apology giving a reason. ので softens the excuse.
電車が遅れたのでごめんなさい。
Sorry, the train was delayed.
Formal apology with reason.
体調不良のため、欠席します。申し訳ありません。
I will be absent due to poor health. I apologize.
Specifically apologizing for causing trouble or burden.
Polite apology for causing trouble. 迷惑 means 'nuisance/trouble'.
ご迷惑をおかけしてすみませんでした。
I'm sorry for the trouble I caused.
Formal apology for inconvenience. 不便 means 'inconvenience'.
ご不便をおかけして申し訳ございません。
We apologize for the inconvenience.
ごめんなさい is personal and emotional, used with people close to you or when you feel genuinely sorry. すみません is more social and functional, used for minor apologies, getting attention, or thanking. 申し訳ありません is formal and expresses a stronger sense of responsibility, often used in business.
ごめんなさい、泣かないで。
I'm sorry, don't cry.
すみません、駅はどこですか？
Excuse me, where is the station?
申し訳ありません、すぐに直します。
I apologize, I'll fix it right away.
English speakers often say 'I apologize' in situations where Japanese would use すみません or a simple ごめんなさい. Using 謝罪します (shazai shimasu) in casual contexts sounds overly stiff and unnatural. Reserve it for official statements.
すみません、ちょっと通してください。
Excuse me, please let me through. (Not 'I apologize')
In Japan, the depth of apology is often shown through bowing. A slight nod accompanies すみません, while a deep bow accompanies 申し訳ございません. In text, you might see 深くお詫び申し上げます (fukaku owabi mōshiagemasu) to convey deep apology.