by Tomoyuki Higuchi
How do you say “Sorry.” in Japanese?
Today’s phrase is :
Sorry.
すみません。
sumimasen*
*”すみません (sumimasen)” often becomes “すいません (suimasen)” in spoken language.
If you are walking down the street and accidentally hit someone’s shoulder or arm, you say “すみません”.
If you have disappointed someone and really want to apologize, you say this instead :
ごめんなさい。
gomennasai
Or you can say like this to your friends :
ごめん。
gomen
Pronunciation
Sorry.
➔
すみません。
(polite)
ごめん。
(casual)
I’m sorry.
➔
ごめんなさい。
(polite)
ごめん。
(casual)
