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申し訳が立たない (もうしわけがたたない) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

申もうし訳わけが立たたない

Meanings

1

expression

I'm sorry; inexcusable

A formal, self-deprecating apology meaning 'I have no excuse' or 'I am terribly sorry'. Used when one feels deep regret and acknowledges fault.

ご迷めい惑わくをおかけして、申もうし訳わけが立たちません。
I am terribly sorry for causing you trouble.
こんな結けっ果かになってしまい、申もうし訳わけが立たたない気き持もちです。
I feel inexcusable for this outcome.

Written forms

申もうし訳わけが立たたない
Standard kanji spelling for this fixed apology expression.
申もうし訳わけがたたない
Kana spelling of 立たない; common in everyday writing when the kanji is not needed.

Kanji

申have the honor to, sign of the monkey, 3-5PM
訳translate, reason, circumstance
立

stand up, rise, set up

Similar words

申もうし訳わけない
More common and slightly less formal; 申し訳が立たない is a stronger, more emphatic apology often used in formal or written contexts.
すみません
General apology; 申し訳が立たない is much more formal and expresses deeper regret.

Etymology

From 申し訳 (excuse, apology) + が + 立たない (does not stand), literally 'an excuse does not stand', meaning one cannot justify one's actions.