How to Say Sorry in Japanese
Learn how to say sorry in Japanese. 'Gomen nasai' (ごめんなさい) is a heartfelt sorry; 'Sumimasen' (すみません) is the polite all-rounder. Pronunciation guide + when to use each.
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Quick answer
To say sorry in Japanese, say 'Gomen nasai' (ごめんなさい, go-men-na-sai) for a sincere personal apology, or 'Sumimasen' (すみません, soo-mi-ma-sen) as the polite all-purpose 'excuse me / sorry'. Casually, with friends, just 'Gomen' (ごめん) means 'sorry'. For a deep, formal apology, 'Mōshiwake arimasen' (申し訳ありません) is the most respectful.
ごめんなさい
/go-men-na-sai/ — Japanese
How to Say Sorry in Japanese
Apologizing is central to Japanese politeness, and the language gives you a ladder of options — from a casual Gomen to the deeply formal Mōshiwake gozaimasen.
The Two Essentials
| Japanese | Romaji | Use |
|---|---|---|
| ごめんなさい | Gomen nasai | Sincere personal apology (“I’m sorry”) |
| すみません | Sumimasen | Polite all-rounder: “excuse me / sorry / thanks” |
Copy the Phrase
The Japanese phrase for “sorry” is ごめんなさい (Gomen nasai, go-men-na-sai) — or すみません (Sumimasen) as the polite all-purpose form.
Gomen Nasai vs. Sumimasen
- Gomen nasai — a heartfelt “I’m sorry” for something you did, to someone you know.
- Sumimasen — more versatile and slightly more formal: “excuse me” (getting attention or passing by), “sorry” (minor apology to strangers), and even “thank you” (acknowledging someone’s trouble on your behalf).
When in doubt with strangers, Sumimasen is the safe, polite choice.
The Full Apology Ladder
| Japanese | Romaji | Level |
|---|---|---|
| 悪い悪い | Warui warui | ”My bad” (very casual) |
| ごめん | Gomen | Sorry (casual, friends) |
| ごめんね | Gomen ne | Sorry (casual + warm) |
| ごめんなさい | Gomen nasai | Sincere apology |
| すみません | Sumimasen | Polite “excuse me / sorry” |
| 申し訳ありません | Mōshiwake arimasen | Formal apology |
| 申し訳ございません | Mōshiwake gozaimasen | Deepest, most formal |
The longer and more formal the phrase, the deeper the apology — and a bow usually accompanies the serious ones.
”Sorry” That Means “Thank You”
A distinctive feature of Japanese: Sumimasen can mean “thank you”. Because it carries “I’m sorry to trouble you”, saying it when someone helps you acknowledges their effort — a humble, very Japanese blend of apology and gratitude.
Pronunciation Tips
- Gomen nasai — go-men-na-sai (five even beats; “sai” rhymes with “sigh”)
- Sumimasen — soo-mi-ma-sen (light final “sen”)
- Mōshiwake — moh-shee-wa-keh (the ō is a held “oh”)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Gomen nasai and Sumimasen?
'Gomen nasai' (ごめんなさい) is a sincere, personal apology — 'I'm sorry' for something you did. 'Sumimasen' (すみません) is more versatile and polite: it means 'excuse me', 'sorry', AND 'thank you (for your trouble)'. Use 'Sumimasen' with strangers and to get attention; use 'Gomen nasai' for a heartfelt apology to someone you know.
How do you pronounce Gomen nasai?
'Gomen nasai' is pronounced go-men-na-sai (five even beats). 'Gomen' = go-men, 'nasai' = na-sai (rhymes with 'sigh'). 'Sumimasen' is soo-mi-ma-sen, with the final 'sen' light. Keep the syllables even — Japanese has light, flat stress.
How do you say sorry casually in Japanese?
With friends and family, just 'Gomen' (ごめん) is the casual 'sorry'. 'Gomen ne' (ごめんね) adds warmth ('sorry, okay?'). 'Warui warui' (悪い悪い — literally 'my bad') is a very casual, masculine 'my bad' among close friends.
What is the most formal way to apologize in Japanese?
'Mōshiwake arimasen' (申し訳ありません) or the even more formal 'Mōshiwake gozaimasen' (申し訳ございません) is the deepest, most respectful apology — used in business and serious situations. It literally means 'there is no excuse [for what I did]'. A bow usually accompanies it.
Why does Sumimasen also mean thank you?
'Sumimasen' carries a sense of 'I'm sorry to trouble you', so when someone does something kind, saying 'Sumimasen' acknowledges their effort and the inconvenience caused — functioning as a humble 'thank you'. This blend of apology and gratitude is a distinctive feature of Japanese politeness.