As discussed in Top 10 Etiquette Mistakes in Japan, there are two golden rules for apologising in Japanese:

1) If it’s your fault apologize.

2) If it’s not your fault, apologize.

I’m half joking but Japanese people tend to apologize more frequently than westerners. As they say in Japan:

とりあえず謝る – toriaezu ayamaru

(Whatever happens) just apologize

In this podcast, Asuka and Alex go through the basics of apologizing in Japanese in different situations and contexts. This is perhaps one of the most important skills you will learn when studying Japanese.

Lesson goal

Being humble, sincere and ready to admit you are wrong are traits held in high regard in Japan. Making excuses is avoided as that can be interpreted as being selfish or childish.

Japanese are also sometimes quick to apologize for the actions of others especially if they are in the same group. Some westerners might sometimes find this hard to understand however Japanese people are highly sensitive to the group dynamic and how their actions might affect others.

So, let’s have a look at the most useful vocabulary and phrases for apologizing in Japanese.

すみません Sumimasen

1) “Excuse me” if you bump into someone on the street or just a simple apology

すみません – sumimasen

2) Getting someone’s attention such as a waiter or when you want to ask someone directions. すみません、メニューお願いします – sumimasen, menyuu onegaishimasu

Excuse me, can I have the menu please?

すみません、駅はどこですか – sumimasen, eki wa doko desu ka

3) Receiving something from someone

A: メニューをどうぞ – menyuu o dozo

ごめんなさい Gomen nasai

申し訳ありません Mōshi wake arimasen

大変申し訳ありません -taihen mōushiwake arimasen

遅れて申し訳ありません – okurete mōshiwake arimasen

申し訳ありません満席です – mōshiwake arimasen manseki desu

申し訳ありません満室です – mōshiwake arimasen manshitsu desu

I’m sorry we don’t have any available rooms left.

失礼します Shitsurei shimasu

失礼な!– shitsurei na

失礼します – shitsurei shimasu

失礼しました – shitsurei shimashita

お先に失礼します – osaki ni shitsurei shimasu

ご迷惑 Gomeiwaku

ご迷惑をおかけてしてすみません – gomeiwaku o okakeshite sumimasen

ご迷惑をおかけております – gomeiwaku o okakeshite orimasu

お詫び 申し上げます Owabi Mōshi agemasu

Dialog examples from the podcast

Example 01

Example 02

Example 03

すみません、メニューお願いします

Example 04

Example 05

Example 06

Example 07

Example 08

Example 09