What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built from 許して, which is the te-form of the verb yurusu (to forgive or to permit), combined with kudasai to create a polite request.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The level of politeness can be adjusted by changing the ending. For a very formal and extremely polite tone, often used in highly respectful contexts, you can use 許してくださいませ. If you are speaking to friends or family, you can use the informal form 許して by dropping kudasai. For a simple apology among friends, you might use the informal terms Gomen (equivalent to "sorry") or Gomen ne, which sounds more friendly and approachable.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is constructed by combining the te-form of the verb with kudasai to create a polite request.
How do you pronounce it?
yurushite kudasai
When do people say it?
In Japanese culture, bowing is a common gesture when apologizing.
Did you know?
- In highly formal apologies, a person may perform dogeza, where they kneel and put their forehead to the floor, making the spoken request for forgiveness a physical act of submission.
- While 許してください asks for forgiveness, the word sumimasen is often used as a 'thank you' when someone does a favor that caused them trouble, effectively meaning 'please forgive me for the inconvenience'.
- While yurushite kudasai is a polite request, it is rarely used in business settings to apologize for a mistake. Instead, professionals use moushiwake gozaimasen to express that they have no excuse, rather than asking for a personal pardon.
Examples in context
- あなたに返事をしなかったことを許してください。Please forgive me for not answering your letter.This sentence is useful for practicing how to use 許してください when apologizing for not answering a letter.Tatoeba #233034 by mookeee, translation #70404 by CK
- Gomen nasai, chotto okuremashita (ごめんなさい、ちょっと遅れました。)I'm sorry, I'm running a little late.
- 嘘をついたことを許してください。uso o tsuita koto o yurushite kudasai.Please forgive me for telling a lie.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui accidentally broke Daito's favorite pen.
- 結衣 Yui大翔さんのペンを壊しました。許してください。Daito-san no pen o kowashimashita. Yurushite kudasai.I broke your pen, Daito. Please forgive me.
- 大翔 Hirotoいいよ。気にしないで。Ii yo. Ki ni shinaide.It's okay. Don't worry about it.
- 結衣 Yui本当にすみません。Hontō ni sumimasen.I am truly sorry.
- 大翔 Hiroto大丈夫だよ、結衣。Daijōbu da yo, Yui.It's all right, Yui.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
