What does it mean word for word?
The phrase breaks down into two parts: ご迷惑をおかけして (gomeiwaku o okake shite), which means 'causing [your] trouble/inconvenience' and 申し訳ありません (mōshiwake arimasen), which means 'there is no excuse/explanation'.
Which one should you use?
While ご迷惑をおかけしてすみません is a polite way to apologize, ご迷惑をおかけして申し訳ありません is significantly more formal and carries a deeper sense of apology, making it more appropriate for serious business errors. For even greater politeness, you can use ご迷惑をおかけして申し訳ございません by replacing arimasen with gozaimasen. This is often used by high-level staff or in very formal written apologies.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ご迷惑をおかけして申し訳ありません is a highly formal and polite expression suitable for professional customer service or business correspondence. For even higher levels of formality, use ご迷惑をおかけして申し訳ございません. In contrast, if you want to say you have been impolite or rude, you can use Shitsurei shimashita and if you want to say you have no excuse, you can use Moshiwake gozaimasen. For very casual situations, the informal equivalent of 'I'm sorry' is Gomen.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the first part of the phrase, the 'te' form of the verb okake suru (to cause/inflict) is used, ご迷惑をおかけして, to connect the action of causing trouble to the apology that follows.
How do you pronounce it?
gomeiwaku o okake shite mōshiwake arimasen
Did you know?
- In extremely formal business settings, this phrase is often accompanied by a deep bow from the waist, and the duration of the bow indicates the level of sincerity.
- In Japan, the concept of meiwaku is so strong that children are taught from a young age to avoid being a 'nuisance' to others to maintain social harmony.
- The word meiwaku can be used as a noun to describe a person who is a burden, meaning some people are described as being 'a meiwaku' to their families or peers.
Examples in context
- 工事のため、ご迷惑をおかけして申し訳ありません。Kouji no tame, go-meiwaku o okakeshite moushiwake arimasen.I am sorry for the inconvenience caused by the construction.
- 返信が遅くなり、ご迷惑をおかけして申し訳ありません。Henshin ga osoku nari, go-meiwaku o okakeshite moushiwake arimasen.I am sorry for the inconvenience caused by my late reply.
Example conversation
Yui apologizes to Yota for a mistake in a report.
- 結衣 Yui間違いがありました。ご迷惑をおかけして申し訳ありません。Machigai ga arimashita. Gomeiwaku o okakeshte moushiwake arimasen.There was a mistake. I am sorry for the inconvenience.
- 陽太 Yota大丈夫です。すぐに直せますから。Daijoubu desu. Sugu ni naosemasu kara.It's okay. I can fix it quickly.
- 結衣 Yuiありがとうございます。気をつけます。Arigatou gozaimasu. Ki o tsukemasu.Thank you. I will be careful.
- 陽太 Yota気にしないでください。Ki ni shinaide kudasai.Please don't worry about it.
