Ways of saying Sorry in Japanese

Apologizing for someone never makes a person low on others’ eyes. Accepting your mistake is courageous and Japanese people never fail in it. Let’s take a look at how Japanese people apologize to someone. 

1. Sumimasen

Sumimasen is the most usual and formal term used for sorry. This can also be used as ‘Excuse me’ in some situations like calling an unknown person, a waiter in the restaurant, etc. This can also be used as a Thank you in some situations. Click here to know more about it. This is a more polite term used with anyone, could be your friends, elders, etc. 

Sumanai/Suimasen- This is a verbal term. The informal way to say sorry. Could be used with friends or close ones.

Suman- Suman is nothing but a shortened form of Sumimasen. A very informal and casual form usually used by males.

Sumimasendeshita/ sumanakatta- This is the past tense of Sumimasen, and it is used for apologizing for the mistake you made in the past.

2. Gomen nasai

This is a less polite and casual phrase than Sumimasen. Generally used among friends, family, etc. This could be shortened as Gomen/Gomen ne.

3. Moushi wake nai/ arimasen/ gozaimasen

This is a more polite and formal form than the above ones. This term is most commonly used in the business Japanese language. The only difference is, Gozaimasen is a polite form of Arimasen. Could be shortened as Moushi wake nai(desu). If you want to say ‘I am extremely sorry’ you can say Taihen moushi wake gozaimasen. This is the utmost polite and respectful form of saying sorry. 

Keep in mind this phrase is mainly used with the seniors or in the business fields. It may sound weird to Japanese people if you casually use this. 

4. Warui

Warui means bad. This is the most casual and informal term used by males. 

A: Osoi yo! (You are late)

B: Ah~! Warui warui ( ohh! Sorry sorry)

5. Shitsurei shimasu/Itashimasu

Shitsurei shimasu is used for apologizing for disturbing someone, sorry to disturb you. When you want to enter someone’s room or talk to someone busy with his/her work, shitsurei shimasu/itashimasu is used.

Oyasumino tokoro shitsurei shimasu- sorry for disturbing your rest.

Shitsurei shimasu is also used before cutting the phone. 

6. Osore irimasu

Osore irimasu is usually written in mails, which means ‘to be sorry, to feel small’. This is used when you want to request someone, especially at work. 

• Osoreirimasu ga nouki no gokakunin wo onegai itashimasu

 I am sorry but could you check and confirm the delivery dates?

• Taihen osore irimasu ga 6/14made henshin wo kibou itashimasu.

We apologize for the inconvenience, but we would like to receive a reply by 6/14 (Monday).

7. Owabi moushi agemasu

This phrase is the most polite way to say sorry. This is used when someone has done something very serious. This is the utmost way of apologizing used in extreme situations.

These are some ways of saying sorry in Japanese. But keep in mind that, apologizing in polite ways does not sound cool every time but could sound weird to Japanese people. You have to use it according to the situation.