Translation guide
How to express that something is troublesome, causes difficulty, or is a bother in Japanese.
Sorry for the inconvenience.
Polite, everyday apology
We apologize for the inconvenience.
Very formal, business apology
Expressing that something is an inconvenience or causes trouble.
A common word for trouble, annoyance, or inconvenience caused to others. Often used in apologies.
I'm sorry for the inconvenience.
Means 'inconvenient' in the sense of lacking convenience or being impractical. Used for situations, not people.
Literally 'takes time and effort'. Used when something is a hassle or requires extra work.
This procedure is a hassle.
Means 'troublesome' or 'bothersome'. Often used for tasks that are annoying to do.
Formal and polite ways to apologize for causing trouble or inconvenience.
Very formal apology for inconvenience. Common in business and customer service.
Checking with someone if a situation or request causes them trouble.
General pattern for asking permission. Implies 'Is it okay if...?' Can be combined with 迷惑 or 不便.
Talking about small annoyances or things that are slightly troublesome.
Literally 'a small inconvenience'. Used for minor issues.
迷惑 (meiwaku) is about causing trouble or annoyance to people. 不便 (fuben) is about lack of convenience in things or situations. Use 迷惑 when apologizing to someone; use 不便 when describing a place or system.
The train delay was a nuisance.
I hope this doesn't cause you any inconvenience.
この駅はエレベーターがなくて不便です。
This station is inconvenient because there's no elevator.
毎回パスワードを入力するのは面倒だ。
It's a pain to enter the password every time.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
Polite but slightly less formal than 申し訳ございません. Suitable for everyday apologies.
Sorry for the trouble.
Used when you cause someone extra effort. 'Sorry to put you to the trouble.'
Sorry for the trouble, and thank you in advance.
Is it okay if I sit here?
Directly asks 'Is it not an inconvenience?' Polite and considerate.
Is it inconvenient for me to call you?
It's a minor inconvenience.
Means 'a bit of a bother'. Casual way to describe something slightly annoying.
This app is a bit of a hassle.
This town is inconvenient.
The English word 'inconvenience' is often used in formal apologies. In Japanese, the direct translation 不便 is not used for apologies; use 迷惑 or ご不便をおかけして... instead.
It's a bit inconvenient, but I can manage.