失礼しました
shitsurei shimashita
In Japanese, "sorry for being rude" is expressed as 失礼しました (shitsurei shimashita).
失礼しました is a polite apology used after behaving in a way that lacks proper manners or respect. It is a common way to apologize for a social blunder, such as accidentally interrupting someone, making a social slip, leaving a room or hanging up a phone call.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 失礼 (shitsurei), meaning "rudeness" or "impoliteness" and しました (shimashita), which is the polite past tense of the verb "to do". Literally, it translates to "I have committed a rudeness".
Which one should you use?
失礼いたしました uses humble language, making it more appropriate for business settings or when speaking to superiors.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
失礼しました is a polite and standard phrase. In very formal situations, you might use Moushiwake arimasen (I have no excuse/Please forgive me) or Oyurushi kudasai (Please forgive me). In contrast, for informal situations among friends or peers, you can use Gomen (Sorry) or Warui (My bad/I am sorry).
How do you pronounce it?
shitsurei shimashita
Did you know?
- While 失礼しました is an apology, the present tense 失礼します is used as a polite way to announce you are entering or leaving a room. It signals that you are intentionally 'breaking' the peace or space of others.
- Japanese has a concept called kūki o yomu or 'reading the air'. Using 失礼しました can be a way of signaling that you have realized you 'misread the air' and disrupted the social harmony.
- In a business context, 失礼しました is often paired with a deep bow. The lower the bow and the longer the pause after speaking, the more sincere the apology for the rudeness is perceived to be.
Examples in context
- さっきは失礼しました。Sakki wa shitsurei shimashita.I am sorry for being rude earlier.
- 割り込みして失礼しました。Warikomi shite shitsurei shimashita.Sorry for being rude by interrupting.
- 言葉が荒くて失礼しました。Kotoba ga arakute shitsurei shimashita.I am sorry for being rude with my language.
Example conversation
Ren accidentally interrupts Yui while she is speaking.
- 蓮 Renあ、すみません！A, sumimasen!Oh, excuse me!
- 結衣 Yuiいいえ、大丈夫ですよ。Iie, daijobu desu yo.No, it is okay.
- 蓮 Ren話を遮って、失礼しました。Hanashi o saegitte, shitsurei shimashita.I am sorry for being rude by interrupting you.
- 結衣 Yui気にしないでください。Ki ni shinaide kudasai.Please don't worry about it.
