申し訳ありませんでした
mōshiwake arimasen deshita
In Japanese, the phrase for "sorry to a teacher" is 申し訳ありませんでした (mōshiwake arimasen deshita).
This phrase is a formal apology used to express regret to a teacher for a mistake or a failure.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means "there was no excuse". It is composed of the noun 申し訳 (mōshiwake), which means an excuse or an explanation and ありませんでした (arimasen deshita), which means "did not exist".
Which one should you use?
Use 申し訳ありませんでした to apologize for a past mistake. In contrast, 申し訳ありません is used for a current or ongoing situation.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
This is a formal and polite way to apologize, making it appropriate for a student speaking to a teacher.
How do you pronounce it?
mōshiwake arimasen deshita
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using ごめんなさい when apologizing to a teacher. It is too casual and can seem disrespectful in a formal academic setting.
Did you know?
- In Japanese culture, apologizing with 申し訳ありませんでした is not always an admission of guilt. It can be a way of acknowledging that a situation became inconvenient for the teacher regardless of who was at fault.
- The word 申し訳 is derived from the humble verb 申す (mōsu) to speak and 訳 (wake) meaning reason. This reflects a linguistic structure where the speaker lowers their own status relative to the teacher.
- In Japanese culture, a sincere apology like 申し訳ありませんでした is often accompanied by a deep bow, where the depth and duration of the bow signal the level of your regret.
Examples in context
- 宿題を忘れてしまい、申し訳ありませんでした。Shukudai o wasurete shimai, mōshiwake arimasen deshita.I am very sorry that I forgot my homework.
- 試験の点数が悪くて、申し訳ありませんでした。Shiken no tensū ga warukute, mōshiwake arimasen deshita.I am sorry that my exam score was poor.
Example conversation
Two students are discussing a mistake they made in front of a teacher.
- 陽葵 Himari先生に、申し訳ありませんでしたと言った？Sensei ni, mōshiwake arimasen deshita to itta?Did you say 'I am very sorry' to the teacher?
- 陽太 Yotaうん、陽葵、ちゃんと謝ったよ。Un, Himari, chanto ayamatta yo.Yes, Himari, I apologized properly.
- 陽葵 Himariよかった。陽太も、次から気を付けてね。Yokatta. Hinata mo, tsugi kara ki o tsukete ne.That's good. Hinata, please be more careful from now on.
- 陽太 Yotaわかった、気を付けるよ。Wakatta, ki o tsukeru yo.I understand, I'll be careful.
