What does it mean word for word?
Literally, it implies that the speaker's debt or the situation is not yet settled or resolved.
Which one should you use?
While すみません is a versatile polite expression suitable for use with strangers or in public, ごめんなさい is more personal and is typically used with friends, family or people of lower social status. For much more serious situations, use 申し訳ございません or Moushiwake gozaimasen, which translates to 'I have no excuse' or 'Please forgive me'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In highly formal business settings or when apologizing for a serious error, すみません is considered too casual and should be replaced by the more formal 申し訳ございません or Moushiwake gozaimasen. For very casual situations among close friends, you can use the shortened version Gomen.
How do you pronounce it?
sumimasen
Did you know?
- In many contexts, such as when a waiter approaches or when someone catches a stranger's eye, すみません is used to say 'thank you'. It acknowledges the debt of the service or kindness received.
- The length and complexity of the apology in Japanese often increase with the social status of the person you are speaking to, rather than the severity of the mistake itself.
- The formal apology 申し訳ございません literally describes a state where there is no 'explanation' or 'excuse' left to offer, effectively ending the argument.
Examples in context
- 遅れてすみません。Okurete sumimasen.Sorry for being late.
- 返信が遅くなってすみません。Henshin ga osoku natte sumimasen.Sorry for the late reply.
- お手を煩わせてすみません。Ote o wazurawasete sumimasen.Sorry for causing you trouble.
Example conversation
Yui accidentally bumps into Daigaku in a hallway.
- 結衣 Yuiあ、すみません！a, sumimasen!Oh, I'm sorry!
- 大翔 Hiroto大丈夫ですよ。daijoubu desu yo.It's okay.
- 結衣 Yuiぶつかってすみませんでした。butsukatte sumimasen deshita.Sorry for bumping into you.
- 大翔 Hiroto気にしないでください。ki ni shinaide kudasai.Please don't worry about it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry すみません, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
