ご迷惑をおかけして申し訳ありません
gomeiwaku o okakeshite mōshiwake arimasen
The English phrase "sorry for the inconvenience" is translated into Japanese as ご迷惑をおかけして申し訳ありません (gomeiwaku o okakeshite mōshiwake arimasen).
This phrase is a polite expression used to apologize for causing trouble or difficulty to someone else. It is commonly used in business settings, such as in emails to clients or public announcements regarding service delays. Unlike a simple sumimasen, this phrase specifically acknowledges that the speaker's actions have caused a direct burden or trouble to the listener.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of go-meiwaku (trouble/inconvenience), o okakeshite (causing/inflicting) and mōshiwake arimasen (there is no excuse/I am deeply sorry).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a much more casual way to apologize to friends or family, you can use 迷惑をかけてごめん.
How does it change in a sentence?
Replacing arimasen with gozaimasen at the end of the phrase increases the level of politeness and formality, resulting in ご迷惑をおかけして申し訳ございません.
How do you pronounce it?
gomeiwaku o okakeshite mōshiwake arimasen
Did you know?
- If a company makes a systemic error, executives may perform a 'deep bow' while saying this phrase, where the angle of the waist reflects the severity of the 'inconvenience'.
- The word meiwaku (trouble) carries a weight of social burden in Japan, implying that you have disrupted the harmony or 'wa' of a group. It is often viewed as a more serious social offense than a simple mistake.
- If you are apologizing to a customer in a shop, you might hear this phrase used even if the mistake was not your fault, such as during a sudden weather event. It serves as a ritualized way to acknowledge the customer's frustration.
Example conversation
Yota informs Misaki that the meeting room is unavailable.
- 陽太 Yota会議室が使えず、ご迷惑をおかけして申し訳ありません。Kaigishitsu ga tsukaezu, go-meiwaku o okakeshite moushiwake arimasen.I am sorry for the inconvenience as the meeting room is unavailable.
- 美咲 Misaki大丈夫ですよ。別の部屋を探しましょう。Daijoubu desu yo. Betsu no heya o sagashimashou.It's okay. Let's look for another room.
- 陽太 Yotaありがとうございます。すぐに準備します。Arigatou gozaimasu. Sugu ni junbi shimasu.Thank you. I will prepare it immediately.
- 美咲 Misakiよろしくお願いします。Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.I appreciate your help.
