すみませんでした
sumimasen deshita
The English phrase "sorry about that" can be translated into Japanese as すみませんでした (sumimasen deshita).
すみませんでした is used to apologize for a mistake or a minor inconvenience caused to someone else in social or professional settings where a level of politeness is required.
Which one should you use?
While すみませんでした refers to a completed event in the past, the polite form すみません is used for immediate apologies or to say "excuse me".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more casual "sorry about that" among friends or family, you can use the informal ごめんね instead of the polite すみませんでした. Other options include the informal Gomen (Sorry) and Mā, warui (Ah, my bad). For formal situations, you may use Gomen nasai (I'm sorry), Shitsurei shimashita (Excuse me) or Mōshiwake gozaimasen (I must apologize).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase すみませんでした is the past tense form of すみません, which is used when the mistake or inconvenience has already occurred.
How do you pronounce it?
sumimasen deshita
Did you know?
- While English speakers use 'sorry' to express personal regret, the Japanese すみません functions as a social lubricant to acknowledge a disturbance. It can be used to thank someone for a small favor, essentially serving as both 'excuse me' and 'thank you' depending on the context.
- When using the formal apology 申し訳ございません, you are literally telling the other person that you have 'no excuse' or 'no explanation' for your behavior. This complete lack of a defense is a way to show profound respect and humility.
- If you are apologizing for a physical mistake, such as bumping into someone, a common non-verbal accompaniment is a slight bow. The depth and duration of the bow often communicate more about the sincerity of the 'sorry' than the spoken words themselves.
Examples in context
- 間違えて、すみませんでした。Machigaete, sumimasen deshita.I am sorry about the mistake.
- 連絡が遅くなり、すみませんでした。Renraku ga osoku nari, sumimasen deshita.I am sorry about the late contact.
Example conversation
Hiyori accidentally bumped into Hiroto in the hallway.
- 陽葵 Himariあ、ぶつかってすみませんでした。a, butsukatte sumimasendeshita.Oh, sorry about bumping into you.
- 大翔 Hirotoいいえ、大丈夫ですよ。iie, daijobu desu yo.No, it is okay.
- 陽葵 Himari大丈夫でしたか？daijobu deshita ka?Were you alright?
- 大翔 Hirotoはい、気にしないでください。hai, ki ni shinaide kudasai.Yes, please don't worry about it.
