But we’ve got you! Read this post to learn about 17 key ways to say sorry in Japanese, so you’ll never be stuck in an uncomfortable situation! Let’s learn the art of the Japanese apology.<\/span><\/p>\n [fluentu-toc]<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Formality:\u00a0<\/strong>Informal<\/p>\n This is definitely the most common way to apologize in Japanese and is a sort of catch-all term. <\/strong><\/p>\n Generally, if you use this phrase in a situation that calls for a different apologetic phrase, most Japanese speakers will know what you mean.<\/p>\n However, it’s considered rude to use this phrase to apologize to superiors<\/strong> and real<\/em> fluency means learning all the nooks and crannies of a language!<\/p>\n Hiragana: <\/strong>\u307b\u3093\u3068\u3046\u306b \u3054\u3081\u3093\u306d<\/p>\n Formality:\u00a0<\/strong>Informal<\/p>\n This very heartfelt apology is\u00a0typically used between best friends or between men and women.<\/strong> When you screw up in a romantic situation or when you’re with someone you’re crushing on, this would be a good way to apologize to them.<\/p>\n Formality:\u00a0<\/strong>Informal<\/p>\n This is one of the most common ways to apologize in Japan. It’s used as a more lax apology,<\/strong> such as when you bump into someone on the street or commit a very mild social faux pas.<\/em><\/p>\n \u3059\u307f\u307e\u305b\u3093 often seems interchangeable with\u00a0\u5fa1\u514d\u306a\u3055\u3044, but it’s not:\u00a0\u3059\u307f\u307e\u305b\u3093 can be used in a non-apologetic situation<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>while\u00a0\u3054\u3081\u3093\u306a\u3055\u3044 is strictly used for apologizing.<\/p>\n Hiragana: <\/strong>\u304a\u3058\u3083\u307e \u3057\u307e\u3059<\/p>\n Formality:\u00a0<\/strong>Informal<\/p>\n Another way of reading this is as\u00a0“excuse me for disturbing you” or “sorry for interrupting you.”<\/strong><\/p>\n Use this phrase if you suddenly have to visit someone’s home or if you’re promoting something door-to-door<\/a>. It can also be used when calling someone on the phone.<\/p>\n Hiragana: <\/strong>\u3057\u3083\u3056\u3044 \u3044\u305f\u3057\u307e\u3059<\/p>\n Formality: <\/strong>Formal<\/p>\n This is a formal way of apologizing typically seen online or in print<\/strong> from celebrities or politicians who did something scandalous.<\/p>\n Hiragana: <\/strong>\u3057\u3064\u308c\u3044 \u3057\u307e\u3059<\/p>\n Formality: <\/strong>Formal<\/p>\n Roughly, this could be seen as a way of saying “Oh, I’m rude” or “Oh, my mistake.” <\/strong><\/p>\n It’s used less as a way to apologize and more as something you’d say when reaching past someone, entering a room or hanging up the phone.<\/p>\n Hiragana: <\/strong>\u3053\u308c\u306f \u3057\u3064\u308c\u3044 \u3057\u307e\u3057\u305f<\/p>\n Formality:\u00a0<\/strong>Formal<\/p>\n This phrase is similar to\u00a0\u5931\u793c\u3057\u307e\u3059 but holds a bit more stock. It’s a formal way to apologize to a co-worker or a stranger<\/strong> if you genuinely feel like you screwed up.<\/p>\n Say you bumped into a coworker at the office that you’re unfamiliar with and knock the binder right out of his arms. While helping him pick it up, you’d say\u00a0\u3053\u308c\u306f\u5931\u793c\u3057\u307e\u3057\u305f.<\/p>\n Hiragana: <\/strong>\u307b\u3093\u3068\u3046\u306b \u3054\u3081\u3093\u306a\u3055\u3044<\/p>\n Formality:\u00a0<\/strong>Informal<\/p>\n It’d be wise not to use this with teachers or people of authority, but rather strangers and friends. It’s usually used when an innocent mistake is made but you feel really terrible about it.<\/strong><\/p>\n Hiragana: <\/strong>\u3054\u3081\u3093\u3069\u3046\u3092 \u304a\u304b\u3051\u3057\u3066\u3001\u3059\u307f\u307e\u305b\u3093<\/p>\n Formality:\u00a0<\/strong>Formal<\/p>\n Remember how we mentioned that you should apologize in an office setting when someone does something helpful for you? This is the phrase to use.<\/p>\n This isn’t you throwing yourself at their feet and begging for forgiveness. Rather,\u00a0it’s a formality,\u00a0a way to thank someone in a Japanese way.<\/strong><\/p>\n Formality:\u00a0<\/strong>Informal<\/p>\n The mix of\u00a0\u3069\u3046\u3082\u00a0\u2014 thanks and \u3059\u307f\u307e\u305b\u3093 makes this phrase seem a little strange. How can you thank and apologize to a person all at once? This phrase is used in situations where somebody helps you out with a small task.<\/strong><\/p>\n A friend pours your tea at lunch. A coworker brings you a file you needed. It’s definitely more of a way of saying “thanks” than apologizing.<\/p>\n Hiragana: <\/strong>\u3082\u3046\u3057\u308f\u3051 \u3042\u308a\u307e\u305b\u3093<\/p>\n Formality:\u00a0<\/strong>Formal<\/p>\n This is a very formal phrase<\/strong> used to apologize to a superior at work, a police officer or somebody else that has authority.<\/p>\n It can also be used as a formal way to show extreme gratitude for something.<\/strong> This phrase is similar to\u00a0\u3053\u308c\u306f\u5931\u793c\u3057\u307e\u3057\u305f but conveys much more intensity and is only used when apologizing to authority figures.<\/p>\n Hiragana: <\/strong>\u3086\u308b\u3057\u3066 \/ \u3086\u308b\u3057\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044<\/p>\n Formality:\u00a0<\/strong>Informal<\/p>\n Use this phrase when someone’s upset with you,<\/strong>\u00a0whether it’s a friend, a stranger or a person of authority.<\/p>\n It’s a good expression to use if you want to avoid “losing face,” as yelling at someone and making a scene in Japan is considered a major social faux pas.<\/em><\/strong> If you’re calm and asking for forgiveness, you look a lot better.<\/p>\n Hiragana: <\/strong>\u304b\u3093\u3079\u3093 \u3057\u3066 \/ \u304b\u3093\u3079\u3093\u3057\u3066 \u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044<\/p>\n Formality:\u00a0<\/strong>Informal<\/p>\n This may seem similar to\u00a0\u8a31\u3057\u3066 but it’s actually a lot more intense.<\/strong><\/p>\n If you royally screw up, such as by cheating on your spouse or being responsible for something catastrophic, you’d say\u00a0\u52d8\u5f01\u3057\u3066 \/ \u52d8\u5f01\u3057\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044 and probably also dramatically hit your knees.<\/p>\n Someone who’s completely wracked with guilt<\/strong> would use this phrase.<\/p>\n Hiragana: <\/strong>\u304a\u308f\u3073 \u3057\u307e\u3059<\/p>\n Formality:\u00a0<\/strong>Formal<\/p>\n This is probably the most intensely formal way of apologizing<\/strong> in Japan.<\/p>\n It was famously used by former Prime Minister Murayama in his apology to the world<\/a> for Japan’s involvement in World War II. That’s the level of screw-up you need to use this one.<\/p>\n Hiragana: <\/strong>\u3042\u308f\u305b\u308b \u304b\u304a\u304c \u306a\u3044<\/p>\n Formality:\u00a0<\/strong>Informal<\/p>\n This can also be read as “I am too embarrassed to face you.”<\/p>\n The expression can be used interchangeably with \u5f01\u89e3\u306e\u4f59\u5730\u304c\u306a\u3044 but it’s mostly used when apologizing via text or email<\/a>,<\/strong> hence the “too embarrassed to face you” meaning.<\/p>\n Hiragana: <\/strong>\u3079\u3093\u304b\u3044\u306e \u3088\u3061\u304c \u306a\u3044<\/p>\n Formality:\u00a0<\/strong>Informal<\/p>\n This would be used when you mess up and there really isn’t any excuse<\/strong> for what you did. If you hurt your spouse’s feelings or got caught doing something really shady, use this term.<\/p>\n Formality:\u00a0<\/strong>Informal<\/p>\n If you ever do something to really hurt a close friend’s feelings or dishonor them in some way, this somewhat informal but still seriously genuine<\/strong> phrase would be appropriate.<\/p>\n You’ll also hear this phrase used between children after fighting.<\/p>\n When someone says they’re sorry to you in Japanese, you can’t just leave them hanging. Politeness dictates that you should accept their apology and tell them that everything is now okay (or not okay, depending on the situation).<\/p>\n Formality:\u00a0<\/strong>Informal<\/p>\n This simple reply can be used as a response to any apology. It conveys the idea of “no worries.” When someone apologizes to you for something, you might use this to assure them that you’re not upset or bothered by the situation and that there’s no need for them to feel guilty or apologize further.<\/p>\n Formality:\u00a0<\/strong>Informal<\/p>\n Similar to \u304b\u307e\u3044\u307e\u305b\u3093, this phrase is used to reassure the person who apologized that their mistake or action is forgiven or not a big deal.<\/strong><\/p>\n For example, if someone apologizes to you for being late, you might respond with \u5927\u4e08\u592b\u3067\u3059 to let them know that their lateness is not causing you any inconvenience or distress.<\/p>\n Hiragana:<\/strong> \u304d\u306b\u3057\u306a\u3044\u3067\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044<\/p>\n Formality:\u00a0<\/strong>Informal<\/p>\n This phrase is used when you want to reassure the person who apologized that their action or mistake is not causing you any concern or distress, and you genuinely want them to let go of any feelings of guilt or worry.<\/p>\n This response is a good choice when you can sense that the person who apologized is genuinely feeling bad about what happened<\/strong>. By using \u6c17\u306b\u3057\u306a\u3044\u3067\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044, you’re not only forgiving the person but also trying to put them at ease and alleviate their worries.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Hiragana:<\/strong> \u3042\u308a\u304c\u3068\u3046\u3001\u3057\u3083\u3056\u3044\u3092\u3046\u3051\u3044\u308c\u307e\u3059<\/p>\n Formality:\u00a0<\/strong>Formal<\/p>\n This phrase is useful when you want to explicitly communicate that the apology is accepted and that there are no hard feelings on your part, especially in formal situations. It’s a respectful and considerate way to handle apologies<\/strong>, especially in situations where the apology is significant or when maintaining a positive working or personal relationship is important.<\/p>\n As we mentioned above, apologies work a bit differently in Japan than in places like America. Saying sorry is much more common and is used in situations you might not expect.<\/p>\n Here are some occasions when it’s necessary to apologize in the Japanese culture:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n To hear how Japanese apologies are really used in context, try watching them in authentic Japanese video content\u2014meaning the stuff that’s made by and for native speakers. <\/span><\/p>\n I’m a big fan of the approach used by the FluentU<\/a> language learning program, which turns videos into learning experiences. FluentU<\/strong> takes authentic videos\u2014like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks\u2014and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app<\/a> or Android app.<\/a><\/p>\r\n P.S. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)<\/a><\/i>\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n How to Say “Sorry” in Japanese<\/h2>\n
1. \u3054\u3081\u3093\u306a\u3055\u3044\u00a0\u2014 Sorry<\/h3>\n
2. \u672c\u5f53\u306b\u3054\u3081\u3093\u306d\u00a0\u2014 I am so sorry<\/h3>\n
3.\u00a0\u3059\u307f\u307e\u305b\u3093\u00a0\u2014 Excuse me<\/h3>\n
4. \u304a\u90aa\u9b54\u3057\u307e\u3059\u00a0\u2014 Excuse me for bothering you<\/h3>\n
5. \u8b1d\u7f6a\u3044\u305f\u3057\u307e\u3059\u00a0\u2014 I apologize<\/h3>\n
6. \u5931\u793c\u3057\u307e\u3059\u00a0\u2014 Excuse me, please<\/h3>\n
7. \u3053\u308c\u306f\u5931\u793c\u3057\u307e\u3057\u305f\u00a0\u2014 I’m sorry about this<\/h3>\n
8. \u672c\u5f53\u306b\u3054\u3081\u3093\u306a\u3055\u3044\u00a0\u2014 I am really sorry<\/h3>\n
9. \u3054\u9762\u5012\u3092\u304a\u639b\u3051\u3057\u3066\u3001\u3059\u307f\u307e\u305b\u3093\u00a0\u2014 I’m sorry for all the trouble<\/h3>\n
10. \u3069\u3046\u3082\u3059\u307f\u307e\u305b\u3093\u00a0\u2014 I am so very sorry!<\/h3>\n
11. \u7533\u3057\u8a33\u3042\u308a\u307e\u305b\u3093\u00a0\u2014 I feel awful<\/h3>\n
12. \u8a31\u3057\u3066 \/ \u8a31\u3057\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u00a0\u2014 Forgive me \/ Please forgive me<\/h3>\n
13. \u52d8\u5f01\u3057\u3066\u00a0 \/ \u52d8\u5f01\u3057\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u00a0\u2014 Show me mercy \/ Please show me mercy<\/h3>\n
14. \u304a\u8a6b\u3073\u3057\u307e\u3059\u00a0\u2014 I apologize<\/h3>\n
15. \u5408\u308f\u305b\u308b\u9854\u304c\u306a\u3044\u00a0\u2014 I cannot face you<\/h3>\n
16. \u5f01\u89e3\u306e\u4f59\u5730\u304c\u306a\u3044\u00a0\u2014 There is no excuse<\/h3>\n
17. \u3059\u3054\u3044 \u3054\u3081\u3093\u306d \u2014 I am truly very sorry<\/h3>\n
How to Respond to an Apology in Japanese<\/h2>\n
\u304b\u307e\u3044\u307e\u305b\u3093 \u2014 It’s okay<\/h3>\n
\u5927\u4e08\u592b\u3067\u3059 \u2014 It’s alright<\/h3>\n
\u6c17\u306b\u3057\u306a\u3044\u3067\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044 \u2014 Please don’t worry about it<\/h3>\n
\u3042\u308a\u304c\u3068\u3046\u3001\u8b1d\u7f6a\u3092\u53d7\u3051\u5165\u308c\u307e\u3059\u00a0\u00a0\u2014 Thank you, I accept your apology<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
When Is It Appropriate to Apologize in Japan?<\/h2>\n
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