本当に申し訳ありません
hontō ni mōshiwake arimasen
The English phrase "I am really sorry" can be translated into Japanese in several ways depending on the situation, with 本当に申し訳ありません (hontō ni mōshiwake arimasen) being the default form for a sincere apology.
本当に申し訳ありません is a formal expression used to offer a deep and sincere apology for a mistake or wrongdoing. It is appropriate for business settings, such as apologizing to customers or addressing a superior after a significant mistake. Other variations include お詫び申し上げます, which means "I apologize" and can be used to apologize on behalf of others.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase breaks down into 本当に, meaning "really" or "truly" and 申し訳ありません, meaning "I apologize" or "I am sorry". Literally, the phrase translates to "there is truly no excuse" or "there is truly no way to explain my actions".
Which one should you use?
While 本当に申し訳ありません is used for professional or serious errors, 本当にごめんなさい is used for personal mistakes with friends or family. For even more serious or specific situations, 大変失礼いたしました can be used to mean "I have been very rude" or "I have been very disrespectful".
How does it change in a sentence?
Replacing arimasen with gozaimasen in the phrase 本当に申し訳ございません makes the apology even more formal and polite.
How do you pronounce it?
hontō ni mōshiwake arimasen
Did you know?
- In high-stakes business apologies, a person might use 申し訳ございません while bowing so low that their forehead almost touches the floor, a gesture known as dogeza.
- Japanese has a concept called meiwaku, which describes the trouble or inconvenience caused to others. Many apologies using 申し訳ありません are not just about the mistake but about the meiwaku caused.
- The word mōshiwake comes from the verbs mōsu (to say) and wake (reason). This creates the literal sense that there is no possible reason a person could give to justify their action.
Examples in context
- 本当に申し訳ありません、服を汚してしまいましたI am really sorry, I have stained your clothes.
- 大変失礼いたしました、会議を邪魔してしまいましたI have been very rude, I have disturbed the meeting.
- 本当にごめんね、誕生日を忘れちゃったI am really sorry, I forgot your birthday.
- すみません、踏んでしまいましたI'm sorry, I accidentally stepped on you.
- 本当に申し訳ありません。Hontō ni mōshiwake arimasen.I am really sorry.
- 返信が遅くなり、本当に申し訳ありません。Henshin ga osoku nari, hontō ni mōshiwake arimasen.I am really sorry for the late reply.
- 不手際があり、本当に申し訳ありません。Futegiwa ga ari, hontō ni mōshiwake arimasen.I am really sorry for my mistake.
Example conversation
Kenta apologizes to his client, Himari, for a mistake in a report.
- 健太 Kenta資料に誤りがあり、本当に申し訳ありません。Shiryō ni ayamari ga ari, hontō ni mōshiwake arimasen.There was an error in the documents, and I am really sorry.
- 陽葵 Himari次は気を付けてくださいね。Tsugi wa ki o tsukete kudasai ne.Please be careful next time.
- 健太 Kentaはい、以後気を付けます。Hai, igo ki o tsukemasu.Yes, I will be careful from now on.
- 陽葵 Himari分かりました。Wakarimashita.Understood.
