ごめん
gomencasual
In anime, "sorry" is ごめん (gomen) between friends and ごめんなさい (gomen nasai) in a more polite way. A man in a serious scene may say すまない (sumanai). It is also called 申し訳ありません (mōshiwake arimasen).
Meaning: apology (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ごめん | gomen | casual |
| ごめんなさい | gomen nasai | polite |
| すまない | sumanai | masculine, serious |
| 申し訳ありません | mōshiwake arimasen | very formal |
ごめん (gomen) is short and casual. すまない (sumanai) sounds grown-up and manly. 申し訳ありません (mōshiwake arimasen) is a very formal apology, used in the workplace.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The longer the phrase, the more formal and sincere it is. ごめん (gomen) is for friends and 申し訳ありません (mōshiwake arimasen) is for customers and bosses.
Did you know?
- ごめん (gomen) is a short form of ごめんなさい (gomen nasai).
Examples in context
- ごめん、遅れた。Gomen, okureta.Sorry, I am late.
- ごめんなさい。Gomen nasai.I am sorry.
- すまない、助かった。Sumanai, tasukatta.Sorry, you saved me.
Example conversation
Hiro arrives late to meet his friend Mari at a train station.
- Hiroごめん、遅くなった。Gomen, osoku natta.Sorry, I am late.
- Mari大丈夫、今来たとこ。Daijōbu, ima kita toko.It is fine, I just got here.
- Hiroありがとう。Arigatō.Thanks.
