Formal apologies
Conversation phrases, Stage 4chunk 21 of 23Errands and service
Apologise seriously at work or to a customer for a mistake or trouble caused.
- moushiwake arimasenI'm very sorry (formal)
- gomeiwaku o okake shimashitasorry for the trouble I caused
- moushiwake gozaimasenwe're deeply sorry (very formal)
Mix-ups Moushiwake arimasen and gozaimasen are the same apology; gozaimasen is the politer staff form.
moushiwake arimasen
I'm very sorry (formal)
A serious apology at work or to customers, for a mistake or an inconvenience.
Stronger than sumimasen; the right level for your own work mistakes.
hontou ni moushiwake arimasen. sugu ni naoshimasu.
I'm truly sorry. I'll fix it right away.
本当に申し訳ありません。すぐに直します。
Written 申し訳ありません · もうしわけありませんWho you say it and hear itHeard 613× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles
gomeiwaku o okake shimashita
sorry for the trouble I caused
Apology to coworkers or neighbours after you caused them trouble: a sick day, a mistake, noise.
Meiwaku is trouble or nuisance. Casual: meiwaku kakete gomen.
kinou wa yasunde shimatte, gomeiwaku o okake shimashita.
Sorry for the trouble my day off caused yesterday.
昨日は休んでしまって、ご迷惑をおかけしました。
Written ご迷惑をおかけしました · ごめいわくをおかけしましたWho you say itHeard 17× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles
moushiwake gozaimasen
we're deeply sorry (very formal)
Staff to customers, and in official apologies and announcements.
You'll hear it far more than you say it; moushiwake arimasen is enough for you.
omatase shite, moushiwake gozaimasen.
We're very sorry to keep you waiting.
お待たせして、申し訳ございません。
Written 申し訳ございません · もうしわけございませんWho said to youHeard 110× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles