Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ごめんなさい | gomennasai | [ɡo̞mẽ̞nːa̠sa̠i] (narrow) | |
| すみません | sumimasen | [sɨmʲima̠sẽ̞ɴ] (narrow) | |
| ごめん 失礼しました | gomen | informal | |
| 申し訳ありません | mōshiwake arimasen | [mo̞ːɕiβ̞a̠ke̞ a̠ɾʲima̠sẽ̞ɴ] (narrow) |
The phrase is used to express regret or sorrow. Depending on the specific words chosen, it can range from a casual "my bad" to a profound expression of remorse. Some forms also function as a way to get someone's attention or to excuse an interruption.
What does it mean word for word?
The formal phrase 申し訳ありません literally means "there is no way to explain/excuse my actions."
Which one should you use?
The forms differ significantly in how they are applied. すみません is highly versatile and can mean both "I'm sorry" and "excuse me" when you need to get someone's attention. In contrast, ごめんなさい is used strictly for apologies and cannot be used to mean "excuse me." While ごめんなさい is a standard way to apologize, 申し訳ありません is used for much more serious or formal situations to express a deeper sense of remorse.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For casual, everyday situations with friends or family, you can use the shortened ごめん. To apologize in a standard, personal way, use ごめんなさい. For polite daily social interactions, such as minor apologies or interruptions, すみません is the most versatile choice. In professional business settings or when speaking to superiors, use the highly formal 申し訳ありません.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
gomennasai
Did you know?
- The word すみません can be used as a polite way to say 'thank you' when someone has gone out of their way to help you, effectively apologizing for the trouble you caused.
- The versatile すみません is etymologically rooted in the idea that a situation or a debt of trouble has not yet been 'settled' or 'finished'.
- In many Japanese professional settings, a verbal apology like 申し訳ありません is often accompanied by a specific bow, where the depth and duration of the bow signal the sincerity of the regret.
Examples in context
- すみません。I'm sorry.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase すみません.Tatoeba #408301 by bunbuku, translation #38387 by CK
- すみませんね。Sorry about that.Tatoeba #10910321 by small_snow, translation #869496 by CK
- すみません…Sorry…Tatoeba #8613880 by e4zh1nmcz, translation #39996 by pierrephi
- Gomen, kyuu ni dekakete shimatta. (ごめん、急に出かけてしまった。)Sorry, I suddenly went out.
- Sumimasen, issho ni shigoto o suru jikan ga arimasen deshita. (すみません、一緒に仕事をする時間がありませんでした。)I'm sorry, I didn't have time to work together.
- 299 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki accidentally broke Yota's favorite pen.
- 美咲 Misakiごめんなさい、ペンを壊してしまった。Gomennasai, pen o kowashite shimatta.I'm sorry, I broke your pen.
- 陽太 Yota大丈夫だよ、気にしないで。Daijoubu da yo, ki ni shinaide.It's okay, don't worry about it.
- 美咲 Misaki本当にごめんなさい。Hontou ni gomennasai.I am truly sorry.
- 陽太 Yota気にしないで、また買えばいいよ。Ki ni shinaide, mata kaeba ii yo.Don't worry, I'll just buy another one.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sorry” translations and entries ごめんなさい, すみません, 申し訳ありません, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ごめんなさい, すみません, 申し訳ありません, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
