前もって申し訳ありません
maemotte mōshiwake arimasen
前もって申し訳ありません (maemotte mōshiwake arimasen) is the Japanese way to say "sorry in advance".
This phrase is used when you know your upcoming actions or requests will cause inconvenience to others.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form 前もって申し訳ありません is a formal way to apologize in advance, suitable for business or professional settings. For an informal setting, you can say 前もって謝っておくね。 Other formal variations include 先にお詫び申し上げます。 and お手数をおかけしますが、あらかじめお詫び申し上げます, which specifically apologizes in advance for the inconvenience.
How do you pronounce it?
maemotte mōshiwake arimasen
Did you know?
- The phrase 申し訳ありません literally means 'there is no excuse', which transforms 'sorry in advance' into a declaration that the speaker is already accepting full responsibility before the event occurs.
- In Japanese business etiquette, expressing regret before a request is often seen as a way to demonstrate 'enryo', or the virtue of being modest and considerate of others' time.
- In highly formal settings, apologizing in advance is a way to practice 気遣い (kizukai). This is the art of anticipating the discomfort of others and addressing it before the other person even has a chance to feel inconvenienced.
Examples in context
- 前もって申し訳ありませんが、返信が遅れるかもしれません。Maemotte moushiwake arimasen ga, henshin ga okureru kamoshiremasen.I am sorry in advance, but my reply might be late.
Example conversation
Yota asks Yui to help him with a difficult task.
- 陽太 Yota明日、手伝ってほしいんだけど、前もって申し訳ありません。ashita, tetsudatte hoshiindakedo, maemotte moushiwake arimasen.I want you to help me tomorrow, so I'm sorry in advance.
- 結衣 Yui大丈夫だよ。何をするの？daijoubu dayo. nani o suru no?That's fine. What do I need to do?
- 陽太 Yota荷物を運ぶのを手伝ってほしいんだ。nimotsu o hakobu no o tetsudatte hoshiinda.I want you to help me carry some luggage.
- 結衣 Yui分かった。いいよ。wakatta. ii yo.I understand. Sure.
