Translation guide
Expressing a deep, heartfelt apology in Japanese involves choosing the right level of formality and intensity. This guide covers common phrases for sincere apologies, from everyday situations to formal written contexts.
To express a deep and genuine apology in everyday situations.
Literally 'I apologize from the heart.' A direct and sincere way to apologize, suitable for both spoken and written contexts.
ご迷惑をおかけして、心から謝ります。
I sincerely apologize for the trouble I caused.
A very formal and profound apology, often used in business or official settings. It conveys deep regret.
この度の不手際を深くお詫び申し上げます。
I deeply apologize for the mishandling this time.
Similar to 深くお詫び申し上げます, but with a nuance of 'from the heart.' Very formal and polite.
多大なるご迷惑をおかけし、心よりお詫び申し上げます。
I sincerely apologize for causing you so much trouble.
An old-fashioned, very humble way to apologize, literally 'to apologize flatly.' It implies begging for forgiveness. Rarely used in modern conversation.
平に謝りますので、どうかお許しください。
I humbly apologize, so please forgive me.
To express a very strong apology among friends or in informal situations.
A casual but emphatic 'I'm really sorry.' Adding 本当に (truly) intensifies the apology.
本当にごめん！忘れてた。
I'm really sorry! I forgot.
Very casual, slangy way to say 'apologize a lot.' めっちゃ is a Kansai-origin intensifier meaning 'very' or 'super.'
昨日はめっちゃ謝ったよ。
I apologized like crazy yesterday.
To craft a formal written apology, such as in a business email or letter.
A set phrase used in formal written apologies. 謹んで means 'respectfully' or 'humbly.' It is very polite and suitable for serious matters.
ここに謹んでお詫び申し上げます。
I hereby offer my sincere apologies.
A formal expression meaning 'I express my apology.' Often used in official statements.
この件に関し、深く謝罪の意を表します。
Regarding this matter, I express my deepest apologies.
To stress how sorry you are, often by describing the act of bowing or using intensifiers.
To apologize profusely, often with repeated bowing. It paints a picture of earnest, humble apology.
彼は上司に平謝りしていた。
He was apologizing profusely to his boss.
To apologize by kneeling and bowing deeply (dogeza). This is an extreme form of apology, used for very serious mistakes.
土下座 is a dramatic gesture and may be seen as excessive or insincere in many modern contexts. Use only when extreme remorse is culturally appropriate.
不祥事の責任を取って、社長が土下座して謝った。
Taking responsibility for the scandal, the company president apologized on his knees.
To apologize repeatedly. A simple way to convey profuse apology through repetition.
彼女は何度も謝ったが、許してもらえなかった。
She apologized over and over, but wasn't forgiven.
謝る (あやまる) is the general verb for 'apologize.' お詫びする (おわびする) is a more formal, humble version. Use お詫び申し上げます for the most polite situations.
遅刻して謝った。
I apologized for being late.
お客様にお詫びしました。
I apologized to the customer (humble).
English phrases like 'profuse apology' don't have a single direct equivalent. Instead, use intensifiers like 心から, 深く, or descriptive phrases like 平謝りする to convey the depth of apology.