本当にすみません
hontō ni sumimasen
In Japanese, really sorry is expressed as 本当にすみません (hontō ni sumimasen).
This phrase is used to express a sincere and deep apology for a mistake or an inconvenience. While sumimasen alone is a standard apology, adding hontō ni increases the emphasis and sincerity of the apology.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of hontō ni (really/truly) and sumimasen (excuse me/sorry).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
本当にすみません is a polite phrase and is suitable for use with strangers, colleagues or superiors. For more serious situations requiring a higher level of formality, you can use 申し訳ございません (I offer my deepest apologies). In contrast, if you are in an informal setting, you might use ごめん (the shorter, casual version of ごめんなさい) or 本当にごめん to intensify the apology.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that you are really sorry for something that has already happened, you use the past tense by changing the ending to 本当にすみませんでした.
How do you pronounce it?
hontō ni sumimasen
Did you know?
- While すみません is an apology, it is also used to say 'thank you' when someone does a favor that caused them trouble. In this context, it expresses a feeling of being 'sorry' for the burden placed on the other person.
- The word すみません comes from a verb meaning 'to be cleared' or 'to be finished'. Saying it implies that the speaker's feelings of guilt are not yet 'cleared' and they remain in debt to the other person.
- When using 本当にすみません in a professional setting, it is common to avoid eye contact. Looking someone directly in the eyes while apologizing can be perceived as confrontational or insincere.
Examples in context
- 本当にすみません。Hontō ni sumimasen.I am really sorry.
- 連絡が遅れて、本当にすみません。Renraku ga okurete, hontō ni sumimasen.I am really sorry for the late reply.
- 何度も本当にすみません。Nando mo hontō ni sumimasen.I am really sorry for bothering you so many times.
Example conversation
Yui accidentally broke a glass at Hiroto's house.
- 結衣 Yuiガラスを割ってしまい、本当にすみません。Garasu o watte shimai, hontō ni sumimasen.I am really sorry for breaking the glass.
- 大翔 Hiroto大丈夫ですよ。気にしないでください。Daijōbu desu yo. Ki ni shinaide kudasai.It's okay. Please don't worry about it.
- 結衣 Yui本当にすみません、新しいものを買います。Hontō ni sumimasen, atarashii mono o kaimasu.I am really sorry, I will buy a new one.
- 大翔 Hirotoそれはいいですが、怪我はありませんか？Sore wa ii desu ga, kega wa arimasen ka?That is kind, but are you not injured?
