Useful Japanese Phrases: Part 8

Essential Japanese Phrases for Beginners
Part 8: Apologies in Japanese

1. I’m terribly sorry: まことにもうしわけございません Makotoni mooshiwake gozaimasen (Very Formal)

2. I’m truly sorry: ほんとうにもうしわけありません Hontooni mooshiwake arimasen (Very Formal)

3. I’m truly sorry: ほんとうにすいません Hontooni suimasen (Formal)

4. I’m truly sorry (for what I have done) : ほんとうにすいませんでした Hontooni suimasen deshita (Formal)

5. I’m sorry: すいません Suimasen (Formal)

6. I’m sorry (for what I have done) : すいませんでした Suimasen deshita (Formal)

7. I’m so sorry : ほんとうにごめんなさい Hontooni gomen nasai (Formal & Informal)
Gomen nasai sounds more emotion-oriented. It’s not appropriate to use it in a formal business setting.
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8. I’m sorry : ごめんなさい Gomen nasai (Formal & Informal)

9. Sorry : ごめん Gomen (Informal)

10. Sorry, sorry : ごめんごめん Gomen gomen (Informal)

11. (I’m sorry that) I have caused you trouble : ごめいわくをおかけしました Gomeewaku o okake shimashita (Formal)

12. Sorry for your trouble : わるかったね Warukatta ne (Informal)

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