Website design By BotEap.comLearning how to apologize and say sorry in Japanese can be very helpful when you accidentally did or said something bad or hurtful to someone else. In such cases, you will want to ask your forgiveness and, if you were serious, ask for your forgiveness.

Website design By BotEap.comThe most polite way to say I’m sorry is to say sumimasen. Sumimasen has many meanings, but basically they all mean the same thing. You can also use sumimasen as an apology.

Website design By BotEap.comSumimasen. Kore wa ikura desu ka?

Website design By BotEap.comExcuse me, how much is this?

Website design By BotEap.comSumimasen!

Website design By BotEap.comSorry!

Website design By BotEap.comSumimasen can also be used as a thank you. You often say sumimasen as a way of politely thanking someone who has taken the time to do something for you.

Website design By BotEap.comAnother basic Japanese word for apologizing is Gomen. Wearing gomen on its own can be a bit informal and not polite. To sound more polite, I should say gomen nasai.

Website design By BotEap.comGomen nasai. Daijoubu desu ka?

Website design By BotEap.comSorry. Are you okay? (After bumping into someone).

Website design By BotEap.comGomen gomen, kondo harau dakara.

Website design By BotEap.comSorry, I’ll pay you next time.

Website design By BotEap.comGomen kudasai! Dareka imasen ka?

Website design By BotEap.comExcusez moi! Anyone home?

Website design By BotEap.comAnother way to casually say sorry is to use the Japanese word warui. Warui literally means bad. You can think of it as a fault.

Website design By BotEap.comSuman, ore ga warukatta.

Website design By BotEap.comSorry, my fault (It was my fault).

Website design By BotEap.comZenbu omae ga warukatta deshou.

Website design By BotEap.comIt was all your fault.

Website design By BotEap.comSee how easy it is to say I’m sorry in Japanese? As a general rule of thumb, you’ll want to use polite form for people you respect and people older than you. You can use the informal form among your friends or anyone who does not find informal language.