How to Say Sorry in Japanese: Japanese Apologies Explained

Hello, I’m Kodak.

How do you say “sorry” in Japanese?

The most common answers are すみません (sumimasen) and ごめんなさい (gomen nasai), but Japanese apologies change depending on who you are speaking to, how serious the mistake is, and what social function the expression performs.

How Do You Say “Sorry” in Japanese?

The safest beginner answer depends on the relationship.

遅れて、ごめん。
Okurete, gomen.
Sorry I’m late.

ぶつかってしまって、すみません。
Butsukatte shimatte, sumimasen.
I’m sorry for bumping into you.

ご連絡が遅くなり、申し訳ありません。
Go-renraku ga osoku nari, mōshiwake arimasen.
I sincerely apologize for the delayed reply.

多大なご迷惑をおかけし、誠に申し訳ございません。
Tadai na go-meiwaku o okake shi, makoto ni mōshiwake gozaimasen.
We sincerely apologize for the considerable inconvenience.

Japanese Apology Chart: Which Expression Should You Use?

The Three Questions to Ask Before Choosing an Apology

1. How Close Are You to the Other Person?

2. How Serious Is the Mistake?

3. Are You Actually Apologizing?

すみません can be used even when no real mistake occurred.

1. ごめん (Gomen): Casual “Sorry”

ごめん is a short, casual apology used with people you know well.

ごめん、少し遅れる。
Gomen, sukoshi okureru.
Sorry, I’ll be a little late.

ごめん、今の聞いてなかった。
Gomen, ima no kiitenakatta.
Sorry, I wasn’t listening just now.

本、ごめん。まだ返してない。
Hon, gomen. Mada kaeshitenai.
Sorry about the book. I still haven’t returned it.

ごめん can sound too casual with a stranger, teacher, superior, customer, or someone you have seriously harmed.

2. ごめんね (Gomen Ne): A Softer, Warmer Apology

The particle ね adds a feeling of emotional connection or shared understanding.

心配かけて、ごめんね。
Shinpai kakete, gomen ne.
Sorry for making you worry.

今日は会えなくて、ごめんね。
Kyō wa aenakute, gomen ne.
I’m sorry I can’t see you today.

3. ごめんなさい (Gomen Nasai): A Direct Personal Apology

ごめんなさい means “I’m sorry” or “Please forgive me.” Its core function is directly asking forgiveness for your own mistake.

約束を忘れて、ごめんなさい。
Yakusoku o wasurete, gomen nasai.
I’m sorry I forgot our promise.

傷つけることを言って、本当にごめんなさい。
Kizutsukeru koto o itte, hontō ni gomen nasai.
I’m truly sorry I said something hurtful.

大切なものを壊して、ごめんなさい。
Taisetsu na mono o kowashite, gomen nasai.
I’m sorry I broke something important.

ごめんなさい is not necessarily “bad” or rude. It is simply more personal than a workplace-oriented expression such as 申し訳ありません.

For a full comparison, see Sumimasen vs Gomen Nasai: What Is the Difference?

4. すみません (Sumimasen): Sorry, Excuse Me, and Sometimes Thank You

すみません is the most versatile polite expression in this article.

Sumimasen as an Apology

お待たせして、すみません。
Omatase shite, sumimasen.
I’m sorry for keeping you waiting.

連絡が遅くなって、すみません。
Renraku ga osoku natte, sumimasen.
I’m sorry for contacting you late.

Sumimasen as “Excuse Me”

すみません、駅はどこですか？
Sumimasen, eki wa doko desu ka?
Excuse me, where is the station?

すみません、注文をお願いします。
Sumimasen, chūmon o onegai shimasu.
Excuse me, I’d like to order.

Sumimasen Before a Request

すみませんが、写真を撮っていただけますか？
Sumimasen ga, shashin o totte itadakemasu ka?
Excuse me, could you take a picture for me?

Sumimasen as Gratitude

わざわざ届けてくださって、すみません。
Wazawaza todokete kudasatte, sumimasen.
Thank you for going out of your way to bring it.

This use acknowledges both gratitude and the burden the other person accepted. Japanese speakers may combine the expressions:

すみません。ありがとうございます。
Sumimasen. Arigatō gozaimasu.
Thank you—I really appreciate it.

すみません vs すいません

すいません is a common reduced pronunciation in casual speech. Use すみません in careful speech, formal messages, and writing.

5. すみませんでした (Sumimasen Deshita): Apologizing for a Completed Event

すみませんでした often looks back on an incident that has already occurred.

昨日は連絡できず、すみませんでした。
Kinō wa renraku dekizu, sumimasen deshita.
I’m sorry I could not contact you yesterday.

先ほどは失礼なことを言って、すみませんでした。
Sakihodo wa shitsurei na koto o itte, sumimasen deshita.
I’m sorry for saying something rude earlier.

The present form すみません can still apologize for a past event when the apology itself is being made now. The past form simply makes the retrospective viewpoint clearer.

6. 申し訳ありません (Mōshiwake Arimasen): Formal “I Am Very Sorry”

申し訳ありません is a formal apology meaning “I am very sorry,” “I sincerely apologize,” or literally “There is no excuse.”

返信が遅くなり、申し訳ありません。
Henshin ga osoku nari, mōshiwake arimasen.
I sincerely apologize for the delayed reply.

私の確認不足でした。申し訳ありません。
Watashi no kakunin busoku deshita. Mōshiwake arimasen.
I failed to check properly. I am very sorry.

ご期待に沿えず、申し訳ありません。
Go-kitai ni soezu, mōshiwake arimasen.
I am sorry that I was unable to meet your expectations.

It is suitable for workplaces, business emails, superiors, clients, and situations in which すみません may feel too light.

For its origin, grammar, business usage, and detailed comparisons, see What Does 申し訳ありません Mean in Japanese?

7. 申し訳ございません (Mōshiwake Gozaimasen): More Deferential Apology

申し訳ございません generally sounds more deferential than 申し訳ありません. It is especially common in customer service, formal announcements, and apologies made on behalf of an organization.

商品のお届けが遅れ、誠に申し訳ございません。
Shōhin no otodoke ga okure, makoto ni mōshiwake gozaimasen.
We sincerely apologize for the delay in delivering your order.

システム障害によりご迷惑をおかけし、申し訳ございません。
Shisutemu shōgai ni yori go-meiwaku o okake shi, mōshiwake gozaimasen.
We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the system outage.

8. 失礼しました (Shitsurei Shimashita): Apologizing for Rudeness or Etiquette

失礼しました literally means that the speaker behaved without proper courtesy. It fits manners, etiquette, and minor breaches of social form.

お話の途中で失礼しました。
Ohanashi no tochū de shitsurei shimashita.
I’m sorry for interrupting you.

お名前を間違えてしまい、失礼しました。
Onamae o machigaete shimai, shitsurei shimashita.
I apologize for getting your name wrong.

先ほどは失礼な言い方をして、申し訳ありませんでした。
Sakihodo wa shitsurei na iikata o shite, mōshiwake arimasen deshita.
I sincerely apologize for the rude way I spoke earlier.

失礼しました focuses on discourtesy. 申し訳ありません more strongly accepts responsibility for harm, inconvenience, or failure.

9. お詫び申し上げます (Owabi Mōshiagemasu): A Formal Statement of Apology

お詫び申し上げます means “We offer our apologies” or “I formally apologize.”

Unlike すみません and ごめんなさい, which directly express the apologetic feeling, お詫び申し上げます formally states the act of apologizing.

このたびの不具合について、深くお詫び申し上げます。
Kono tabi no fuguai ni tsuite, fukaku owabi mōshiagemasu.
We deeply apologize for this problem.

皆様にご心配をおかけしましたことを、心よりお詫び申し上げます。
Minasama ni go-shinpai o okake shimashita koto o, kokoro yori owabi mōshiagemasu.
We sincerely apologize for causing everyone concern.

This expression is common in official statements, notices, press releases, formal letters, and organizational apologies.

Important: 仕方ない and しょうがない Do Not Mean “Sorry”

仕方がない (shikata ga nai) and しょうがない (shōganai) mean “It can’t be helped,” “There is nothing we can do,” or “Oh well.”

They are not apology expressions.

When 仕方ない May Follow an Apology

When しょうがない Sounds Irresponsible

For a full explanation, see What Do 仕方がない and しょうがない Mean?

Apology vs Acceptance: A Crucial Difference

Situation Guide: What Should You Say?

1. You Accidentally Bump into a Stranger

2. You Need to Call a Server

3. You Forgot a Friend’s Birthday

4. You Are Late to a Casual Meeting

5. You Send the Wrong File at Work

6. A Company Delays a Customer’s Order

7. You Interrupt Someone

8. You Cannot Attend Because of a Typhoon

How to Build an Apology Sentence

Pattern 1: Verb て-form + Apology

Pattern 2: Noun + で + Apology

Pattern 3: ～ことを + Apology or Regret

ご期待に沿えなかったことを、申し訳なく思います。
Go-kitai ni soenakatta koto o, mōshiwake naku omoimasu.
I am sorry that I was unable to meet your expectations.

ご迷惑をおかけしましたことを、深くお詫び申し上げます。
Go-meiwaku o okake shimashita koto o, fukaku owabi mōshiagemasu.
We deeply apologize for the inconvenience caused.

Pattern 4: Apology + が + Request or Refusal

すみませんが、もう一度お願いします。
Sumimasen ga, mō ichido onegai shimasu.
I’m sorry, but could you say that again?

申し訳ありませんが、そのご要望には対応できません。
Mōshiwake arimasen ga, sono go-yōbō ni wa taiō dekimasen.
I am sorry, but we are unable to accommodate that request.

How to Make an Apology Sound Sincere

The expression itself is only one part of an apology. A strong apology usually contains:

資料の送付が遅れ、大変申し訳ありません。私の確認不足です。本日中に送付し、今後は提出日前日に確認いたします。
Shiryō no sōfu ga okure, taihen mōshiwake arimasen. Watashi no kakunin busoku desu. Honjitsu-chū ni sōfu shi, kongo wa teishutsubi zenjitsu ni kakunin itashimasu.
I am very sorry for the delay in sending the materials. I failed to check properly. I will send them today and will check one day before future deadlines.

How to Respond When Someone Apologizes

大丈夫です (Daijōbu Desu): “It’s Okay”

大丈夫です。気にしないでください。
Daijōbu desu. Ki ni shinaide kudasai.
It’s okay. Please don’t worry about it.

気にしないで (Ki ni Shinaide): “Don’t Worry About It”

全然気にしないで。
Zenzen ki ni shinaide.
Don’t worry about it at all.

問題ありません (Mondai Arimasen): “No Problem”

少し遅れるくらいなら、問題ありません。
Sukoshi okureru kurai nara, mondai arimasen.
A slight delay is not a problem.

仕方ない / しょうがない: “It Couldn’t Be Helped”

天気のことなら仕方ないよ。
Tenki no koto nara shikata nai yo.
If it was because of the weather, it couldn’t be helped.

Use this response only when the cause was genuinely unavoidable and your tone does not dismiss the other person’s feelings.

次から気をつけてください (Tsugi Kara Ki o Tsukete Kudasai)

今回は大丈夫ですが、次から気をつけてください。
Konkai wa daijōbu desu ga, tsugi kara ki o tsukete kudasai.
It is okay this time, but please be more careful from now on.

This accepts the apology while clearly asking for improvement.

“I’m Sorry to Hear That” Is Not Usually an Apology

English “I’m sorry” can express sympathy even when the speaker did nothing wrong. Japanese normally uses different expressions.

“Sorry?” When You Did Not Hear Someone

English speakers may say “Sorry?” to ask someone to repeat themselves. In Japanese, use a request rather than ごめんなさい.

Pronunciation and Writing Guide

In ordinary modern writing, すみません and ごめんなさい are usually written in hiragana. The kanji forms help explain their origins but are less common in everyday messages.

Japanese Apologies in Anime and Manga

Anime and manga use the same core expressions, but fictional dialogue may be more dramatic, abbreviated, formal, or rough than ordinary conversation.

Natural Example Dialogues

Dialogue 1: Bumping into a Stranger

Dialogue 2: Forgetting a Promise

Dialogue 3: A Work Mistake

Dialogue 4: An Unavoidable Cancellation

Dialogue 5: Calling a Server

Common Mistakes When Saying Sorry in Japanese

Mistake 1: Using ごめんなさい to Call a Server

Here, you need “Excuse me,” not a request for forgiveness.

Mistake 2: Using すみません for a Serious Company Failure

Mistake 3: Using 申し訳ありません with a Close Friend for Every Small Mistake

It is grammatically possible, but it may sound stiff, distant, or jokingly formal.

Mistake 4: Saying しょうがない After Your Own Preventable Mistake

Mistake 5: Assuming the Most Formal Phrase Is Always the Most Sincere

With a close friend or partner, 本当にごめんなさい may feel warmer and more personal than a business-style 申し訳ありません.

Mistake 6: Apologizing Without Saying What Happened

Mistake 7: Translating “I’m Sorry to Hear That” as すみません

Use sympathy expressions such as それは大変でしたね or お気の毒です unless you are actually responsible for the event.

Mistake 8: Believing Words Alone Complete the Apology

A sincere apology may also require an explanation, corrective action, compensation, or a change in behavior. Language should support responsibility rather than replace it.

FAQ: How to Say Sorry in Japanese

What is the most common way to say sorry in Japanese?

すみません (sumimasen) is the most versatile polite expression. ごめん and ごめんなさい are common in personal relationships.

What is the difference between sumimasen and gomen nasai?

すみません is used for apologies, “excuse me,” polite requests, and sometimes gratitude. ごめんなさい is a more direct and personal apology asking for forgiveness.

Which is more polite, sumimasen or gomen nasai?

すみません is generally more suitable for strangers, superiors, and unfamiliar people. ごめんなさい can sound more personal and emotionally sincere with someone close.

What is a formal way to say sorry in Japanese?

申し訳ありません is a common formal apology. 申し訳ございません is more deferential and especially common in customer service.

How do you say sorry to a friend in Japanese?

Use ごめん, ごめんね, or ごめんなさい. For a serious personal mistake, 本当にごめんなさい is natural.

How do you apologize to a boss in Japanese?

For a small mistake, すみません may be acceptable. For a meaningful work error, use 申し訳ありません, state what happened, and explain the corrective action.

How do you apologize to a customer in Japanese?

Use 申し訳ございません or, in an official written statement, お詫び申し上げます. A serious apology should also identify the problem and corrective response.

Can sumimasen mean excuse me?

Yes. Use すみません to get someone’s attention, call a server, ask directions, interrupt politely, or begin a request.

Can sumimasen mean thank you?

Yes. It may express gratitude while acknowledging that the other person went to trouble for you. Speakers often say すみません。ありがとうございます。

Is suimasen correct?

すいません is common in casual speech as a reduced pronunciation. Use the standard すみません in careful speech and writing.

What does moushiwake arimasen literally mean?

It literally expresses that there is no adequate explanation or excuse. Naturally, it means “I am very sorry” or “I sincerely apologize.”

Is moushiwake gozaimasen wrong Japanese?

Some prescriptive explanations question its construction, but it is firmly established and widely used in modern Japanese.

Do shikata nai and shouganai mean sorry?

No. They mean “It can’t be helped,” “There is nothing we can do,” or “Oh well.” They express acceptance of an unavoidable situation, not an apology.

Can I respond to an apology with shouganai?

Sometimes, when the cause was genuinely unavoidable. However, it can sound dismissive. 大丈夫です or 気にしないでください is often safer.

How do you say “I’m sorry to hear that” in Japanese?

Depending on the situation, say それは大変でしたね, それはつらかったですね, お気の毒です, or 残念です.

How do you say “Don’t worry about it” after an apology?

Use 大丈夫です, 気にしないでください, 問題ありません, or casually 気にしないで.

Summary: Choosing the Right Japanese Apology

References

• National Institute for Japanese Language and Linguistics: Direct and indirect apology expressions — discusses direct forms such as すみません and ごめんなさい and formal statements such as お詫びします.
• NINJAL: 申し訳ございません — explains the prescriptive grammar debate and practical modern apology usage.
• NINJAL: ありがとう and すみません — explains how すみません can combine consideration and gratitude.
• NINJAL: どうもありがとう and どうもすみません — historical discussion of gratitude and apology expressions.
• Kotobank: 済みません — apology, gratitude, request, and attention-getting functions.
• Kotobank: 御免なさい — direct apology and asking forgiveness.
• Kotobank: 申し訳 — meanings including explanation, defense, and excuse.
• Kotobank: 申し訳ない — meaning and apology usage.
• Kotobank: 仕方が無い — “it cannot be helped” and “unavoidable.”
• The Japan Foundation: しょうがない — learner explanation of accepting that no other method is available.
• The Japan Foundation, Irodori Starter Answers — notes the general formality difference between すみません and ごめん.
• The Japan Foundation: Politeness in requests — includes 申し訳ありませんが as a request softener.