失しつ礼れいしました

Meanings

A polite, somewhat formal apology or expression of regret, often used when leaving a room, ending a call, or after a minor mistake. More formal than すみません.

先さきに失しつ礼れいしました。
I'm sorry for leaving before you.
お電でん話わを切きる前まえに「失しつ礼れいしました」と言いった。
Before hanging up, I said, 'I'm sorry (for the intrusion).'

See all 12 example sentences ›

Kanji

失lose, error, fault
礼salute, bow, ceremony

Related words

すみませんN4
すみません is a casual, all-purpose apology that also serves for thanks or getting attention, while 失礼しました is more formal and specifically marks regret for a completed action.
ごめんなさいN3
ごめんなさい is a plain, personal apology used with friends or family, whereas 失礼しました is more formal and typical of business or polite social settings.

Politeness

申もうし訳わけございませんhumble 謙譲語
申し訳ございません is a more deeply humble and formal apology than 失礼しました, used for serious mistakes or in customer service.

Don't confuse with

失しつ礼れいしますN5
失礼します is the non-past form used when entering a room or starting to leave, while 失礼しました is the past form used after the action is finished, such as when hanging up a call.

Etymology

Polite past form of 失礼する (to be rude, to excuse oneself). The phrase literally means 'I have been rude' and is used as a set apology.