- すみません (sumimasen) is the all-rounder: excuse me, sorry and even thank you.
- ごめんなさい (gomen nasai) is a personal apology, mostly to people you know. Casual: ごめん.
- もうしわけありません (mōshiwake arimasen) is a serious, formal apology, common at work.
- しつれいします (shitsurei shimasu) is excuse me when entering, leaving or interrupting.
- Accept an apology with だいじょうぶです (it’s okay) or きにしないで (don’t worry).
Everyday apologies
- すみませんsumimasenExcuse me / I’m sorryThe safest choice with strangers: bumping into someone, getting attention, small mistakes.
- すいませんsuimasenSorry (colloquial)A relaxed spoken variant of すみません. Fine in speech, avoid it in writing.
- ごめんなさいgomen nasaiI’m sorryPersonal and heartfelt. With family, friends, people you know.
- ごめんgomenSorry (casual)Among friends.
- ごめんねgomen neSorry, okay?Soft and friendly.
The key difference: すみません is about the situation (“this isn’t settled”), ごめんなさい is about the relationship (“please forgive me”). That’s why you’d say すみません to a stranger on the train, but ごめんなさい to a friend you kept waiting.
Excuse me: getting attention and getting through
- すみません！sumimasen!Excuse me! (to call staff)Raise your hand slightly in a restaurant. Completely normal and polite.
- ちょっとすみませんchotto sumimasenExcuse me (could I get through?)In a crowded train or aisle.
- しつれいしますshitsurei shimasuExcuse me (for entering / leaving)Knocking on an office door, entering a meeting, ending a phone call.
- しつれいしましたshitsurei shimashitaExcuse me (for what I did)Past form: after leaving a room or after a small faux pas.
- おじゃましますojama shimasuSorry to intrudeSaid when entering someone’s home.
Formal and business apologies
- もうしわけありませんmōshiwake arimasenI am very sorryLiterally “there is no excuse”. For real mistakes, at work, to customers.
- もうしわけございませんmōshiwake gozaimasenWe sincerely apologiseEven more formal. Standard in customer service and announcements.
- おそれいりますがosoreirimasu gaI’m sorry to bother you, but…Polite way to start a request.
- おくれてすみませんokurete sumimasenSorry I’m late
- おまたせしましたomatase shimashitaSorry to keep you waitingYou’ll hear this in every shop and restaurant.
Train companies, airlines and shops apologise with もうしわけございません even for small delays. Hearing it often doesn’t make it casual; it signals respect for the customer.
Casual apologies between friends
- ごめん、おくれた！gomen, okureta!Sorry, I’m late!
- ほんとうにごめんhontō ni gomenI’m really sorry
- わるいwaruiMy badVery casual, more common among men.
Accepting an apology
- だいじょうぶですdaijōbu desuIt’s okay / No problem
- きにしないでくださいki ni shinaide kudasaiPlease don’t worry about itCasual: きにしないで.
- いいですよii desu yoThat’s fine
- こちらこそkochira kosoNo, I’m the one who should apologiseWhen you share the blame.
Apologies and bowing
In Japan, apologies are often a way to keep things smooth, not necessarily an admission of guilt. People apologise for small inconveniences that English speakers wouldn’t mention at all.
- A light bow goes with すみません and しつれいします.
- A deeper, longer bow shows a sincere apology.
- In very formal situations, apologies are repeated and combined: たいへんもうしわけございません, “we are terribly sorry”.
Which sorry when?
| Situation | Say |
|---|---|
| You bump into a stranger | すみません |
| You call the waiter | すみません！ |
| You forgot a friend’s birthday | ほんとうにごめん |
| You’re late for a meeting | おくれてすみません / もうしわけありません |
| You enter your boss’s office | しつれいします |
| You enter a friend’s apartment | おじゃまします |
| Someone apologises to you | だいじょうぶです |
You step on a stranger’s foot on the train.
You made a serious mistake with a client’s order.
You walk into a friend’s home.
A friend says ごめん to you. Reassure them:
Apologies go hand in hand with greetings and thanks. See Japanese greetings and our list of basic Japanese phrases.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say sorry in Japanese?
The most common ways are すみません (sumimasen), which works with anyone, and ごめんなさい (gomen nasai), a more personal apology. Among friends, ごめん (gomen) is enough. For serious or business situations, say もうしわけありません (mōshiwake arimasen).
What is the difference between sumimasen and gomen nasai?
Sumimasen is polite and situational, used with strangers and also to mean excuse me or thank you. Gomen nasai is a more personal apology, typically used with people you know.
How do you say excuse me in Japanese?
Use すみません (sumimasen) to get attention or pass through, and しつれいします (shitsurei shimasu) when entering or leaving a room.
How do you respond to an apology in Japanese?
Say だいじょうぶです (daijōbu desu, it's okay) or きにしないでください (ki ni shinaide kudasai, please don't worry about it).