すみません
sumimasen[sɨmʲima̠sẽ̞ɴ]
The Japanese phrase for "sorry for" is すみません (sumimasen).
すみません is a versatile phrase used to apologize for a mistake or a minor inconvenience. It also functions similarly to "excuse me" in English when you need to get someone's attention.
Which one should you use?
While すみません is a polite and versatile option, ごめんなさい is more personal and is typically used when apologizing to friends or family for a mistake. For a much deeper level of apology in highly formal or business settings, you should use 申し訳ございません instead of すみません. For very serious situations, Mōshiwake gozaimasen conveys an even deeper level of apology.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say "sorry for [doing something]", you use the te-form of a verb followed by すみません (expressed as 〜てすみません).
How do you pronounce it?
sumimasen
What mistakes should you avoid?
When pronouncing sumimasen, avoid over-emphasizing the final 'n'. The final 'n' is a nasal sound that should flow smoothly into the silence.
Did you know?
- The phrase すみません literally translates to 'it is not settled', implying that the speaker's debt or the trouble caused has not yet been resolved.
- In certain contexts, particularly in service industries, a shopkeeper might use すみません as a way to say 'thank you' when a customer leaves a tip or handles a transaction smoothly.
- In casual speech, you will often hear すみません shortened to すみません's more colloquial cousin すまん, which is used primarily by men to friends.
Examples in context
- 遅れてすみません。okurete sumimasen.I am sorry for being late.
- 返信が遅れてすみません。henshin ga okurete sumimasen.I am sorry for the late reply.
- お騒がせしてすみません。osawagase shite sumimasen.I am sorry for causing a disturbance.
Example conversation
Misaki is apologizing to Kenta for dropping her pen.
- 美咲 Misakiあ、落としてしまってすみません。a, otoshite shimatte sumimasen.Oh, I am sorry for dropping it.
- 健太 Kenta大丈夫ですよ。daijoubu desu yo.It is okay.
- 美咲 Misakiすみません、拾いますね。sumimasen, hiroimasu ne.I am sorry, I will pick it up.
- 健太 Kentaありがとうございます。arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry すみません, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries すみません, CC BY-SA 4.0.
