Kanji 済 settle (debt, etc.), relieve (burden), finish Related words· 13 ごめんなさい is a more casual, direct apology, while すみません is politer and can also be used to get someone's attention or express thanks.
ありがとう is a plain expression of thanks, while すみません adds a nuance of apology for the trouble caused when thanking someone.
申し訳ありません is a formal, deeper apology used in serious or business situations, whereas すみません is lighter and more versatile in everyday speech.
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.
Show 9 more Show fewer すみません is a general-purpose apology or attention-getter, while 失礼します is specifically used to excuse oneself when entering, leaving, or briefly interrupting.
すみません is the standard, more polite form, while すいません is a casual contraction used in everyday speech.
すみません is a lighter, more casual apology usable for everyday mistakes, while 申し訳ない conveys a deeper, more formal sense of regret.
もしもし is a casual, friendly way to call out to someone (sense 2), while すみません is more polite and works in almost any situation, including asking a stranger for attention.
すみません is more polite and versatile than ごめん , working for apologies, getting attention, and even thanks, while ごめん stays casual and apology-focused.
すみません is a casual, general-purpose apology or thanks, whereas 悪しからず is a formal set phrase used specifically to soften bad news or a refusal.
すみません is a casual, everyday apology or thanks; 恐れ入る is far more formal and humble, typically used in business or polite speech.
すみません is a casual to polite everyday apology, while 申し訳 is more formal and typically used in business or serious situations.
すみません is the standard polite way to call out to a stranger, while もし is an older interjection that has largely been replaced by it in everyday speech.
Politeness すまん is a casual, masculine-leaning contraction used with friends, while すみません is the polite, standard form used with strangers or superiors.
すまない is a casual, often masculine apology, while すみません is the polite, everyday counterpart used in most social situations.
すみません is the polite, all-purpose apology, whereas サーセン is a very casual slang form only suitable among close friends.
Etymology Derived from the negative form of 済む (sumu, 'to finish' or 'to be settled'), literally meaning 'it is not settled' or 'my feelings are not at ease', which developed into an apologetic and grateful expression.
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