本当に申し訳ありません
hontō ni mōshiwake arimasen
In Japanese, "I am so sorry" is expressed as 本当に申し訳ありません (hontō ni mōshiwake arimasen).
This phrase is used to offer a deep, formal apology for a serious mistake or wrongdoing. The word 本当に (hontō ni) functions as "really" or "truly" to intensify the sincerity of the apology.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built from two parts: 申し訳 (mōshiwake), which literally means an excuse or an explanation and ありません (arimasen), meaning "there is not" or "does not exist". Together, the expression literally translates to "there is no excuse".
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the apology even more formal and humble, particularly in business or highly professional settings, you can replace arimasen with gozaimasen to say 本当に申し訳ございません.
How do you pronounce it?
hontō ni mōshiwake arimasen
When do people say it?
In Japan, it is common to accompany a verbal apology with a bow as a sign of respect.
Did you know?
- In professional settings, a deep apology is often accompanied by a 'dogeza', where the person kneels and presses their forehead to the floor.
- While 申し訳ありません is an apology, Japanese people often use the word すみません (sumimasen) to say 'thank you' when someone has gone out of their way to help them.
- In Japanese culture, an apology like 申し訳ありません is often seen as a way to restore harmony (wa) to a group, rather than just an individual expression of regret.
Examples in context
- 本当に申し訳ありません。Hontō ni mōshiwake arimasen.I am truly sorry.
- ご迷惑をおかけして、本当に申し訳ありません。Gomeiwaku o okakeshite, hontō ni mōshiwake arimasen.I am truly sorry for causing you trouble.
- 不手際があり、本当に申し訳ありませんでした。Futegiwa ga ari, hontō ni mōshiwake arimasen deshita.I am truly sorry for my clumsiness/mistake.
Example conversation
A man is apologizing to a woman for a major work error.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太さん、どうしたんですか？Yōta-san, dōshitan desu ka?Yōta, what happened?
- 陽太 Yota大切な書類を紛失してしまい、本当に申し訳ありません。Taisetsu na shorui o funshitsu shite shimai, hontō ni mōshiwake arimasen.I lost the important documents, I am truly sorry.
- 陽葵 Himariそれは大変ですね。すぐに確認しましょう。Sore wa taihen desu ne. Sugu ni kakunin shimashō.That is serious. Let's check immediately.
- 陽太 Yotaはい、すぐに対応いたします。Hai, sugu ni taiō itashimasu.Yes, I will handle it immediately.
