As in other languages, Japanese slangs are important in daily conversations. Today, let’s take a look at one phrase that you can immediately use in your life
A bentō holds rice with fish or meat and vegetables in a box-shaped container. Some might have a debate over the nutritional value of a prepared dish. Nevertheless, it had been clear that since the 80s, bentō had already become an integral part of the Japanese’s daily life.
There are several reasons. Working hours are quite long and Japanese people are sometimes so busy that they do not have time to prepare proper meal or even to go to the food court. As such, they some would just run to the closest convenience store to buy their lunch.
A bentō might also be prepared at home in the morning to be eaten in school or at the workplace. This gives the Japanese many opportunities to recycle any leftovers they have from the previous night.
In general, precooked meals had became popular with the emergence of the microwave oven. If that’s the case, what Japanese word would you use to indicate that you are “warming up your bentō in a microwave oven”? Well, it would none other than the Japanese Slang word: “Chin Suru” 「チンする」!
What did it Originate from?
Funny word, isn’t it? The word finds its origin in the sound “chin” that the first household microwave ovens made to notify that cooking was complete. By adding the suffix “~suru” to this sound, it creates the verb “chin suru”: to warm up/cook with microwave oven.
The sound “chin” was so well known in Japan, that it was even used in commercial for a snack, known as “chinchin potato” 「チンチンポテト」. Not to mention that this was a poor choice of words on the part of the company. Well, it sounded kind of inappropriate to say the least.
Nevertheless, the sound of the microwave oven had changed over the years and in Japanese onomatopoeia, the microwave oven now goes by the sound of “pi pi pi” 「ピピピ」. The popularity of the word “Chinsuru”, however, remained.
Surely, it may sound like kid talk, but it is used by all generations. In convenience stores, the clerk usually asks if you need to warm up your meal. The word typically used would be “atatamemasuka”「温めますか？」 which would basically translate to “would you like to have it warmed up?”.
From time to time, the staff may also ask you “chin shimasuka?” 「チンしますか？」. The word itself had also been used very often by takeout companies to advertise the convenience of their prepared meal or to advertise recipes’ books:
料理する時間ながない時、チンするだけ
“When you don’t have time to prepare meal, only warm up”. 忙しい女性へ☆レンジでチンするだけのレシピ
“Only warm up with microwave oven recipes for busy women” チンするご飯
“Meal to warm up”
Using it in Casual Conversations
Let’s see the use of this Japanese slang in a casual conversation! 【朝、夫婦の会話】 夫： じゃあ、いってきまーす。 妻： あ、ちょっと待って！今夜、友達と食事する予定だから、昨日の残り物のおかずで悪いんだけど、チンして食べてくれる？冷蔵庫にいろいろ入ってるから。 夫： あ、そうなんだ。分かった。 【Asa, fufu no kaiwa】 Otto: Jaa, itte kimasu! Tsuma: Ah, chotto matte. Konya tomodachi to shokuji suru yotei dakara, kinou no nokorimono okazude waruindakedo, chin shite tabete kureru? Reizouko ni iroiro haitteiru kara. Otto: Ah, sou nanda. Wakatta.
English Translation: 【Morning conversation between husband and wife】 Husband : Well, I am off, see you later. Wife : Oh, wait a minute! I am going out for dinner with a friend tonight, would you mind to warm up (chin suru) yesterday’s leftovers and eat them? There are various things in the refrigerator. Husband : Oh, I see. Ok, sure.
Credit CC BY 2.0: Ryan Li
Title: Angry Bird in Microwave
Modified by Coto Japanese Academy source: Flickr
Coto Japanese Academy is a unique Japanese Language School in Iidabashi Tokyo, we offer relaxed and fun conversational lessons for all levels of Japanese learner. Coto Japanese Academy prides itself on its community atmosphere and fun lessons that focus on creation of opportunities to speak and learn Japanese. If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo – please visit our contact page here.
During you learning, knowing some Japanese slangs is a nice and fun way to deepen your vocabulary.
Not only will you speak more fluently but you will sound more like a native speaker. Moreover, slang gives you an interesting point of view on society. Let’s learn more about Japanese slang with the word “otsubone”.
The working place is not always kind to female workers. Particularly in Japan, it is proven to be difficult for a woman to have a career.
Indeed, traditionnally, a woman is expected to get married and have a family and this point of view is still strong. For many Japanese, after her marriage, an office lady will – should – quit her job to become a housewife.
But in those last decades, Japanese women are more and more willing to keep working, despite the few chances to get a promotion, and do not get married. In Japanese slang, they are called “otsubone“.
Otsubone is an archaism. Historically, the word was a title of honour given to a woman of high ranking, serving the Imperial Houshold or the Imperial Court. To tell the truth, an otsubone was a respected capable woman.
The word was diverted from its original meaning in the 90s, and became a Japanese slang word. Nowadays, an “otsubone” is an office lady over a certain age and level of seniority in a Japanese company who is often single.
Although she has worked in the office for a long time in the same division, she commands others. She is not interested in promotion or pay-raise, but she became influential from behind in the office.
She is perceived as intimidating and her coworkers feel she is frequently complaining. Even though she is a regular employee, coworkers will treat her with respect, just like they would with the head of the division. Not sure to get the idea yet?
A: Kinō, otsu bone ni kekkon no hōkoku o shitara, yosō-dōri iyami o iwa reta no. B: Yappari nee. Hontō, ano hito nigate…
A: Yesterday, when I informed that Ms. Bossy Pants about my marriage she said something rude, just as I expected she would. B: That’s not surprising. I really can’t stand that woman …
A: Yukiguni sodachi otsu bone no eikyō ni yori, mada danbō o tsukeru koto ga dekimasen. Zen’in wa furuenagara shigoto o shite imasu… B: Uwaa, taihen desu ne!
A: Because Ms bossy pants got raised in a cold place, we cannot start the heater yet. Everyone has to work while shivering… B: Uhr, must be hard!
Translation of otsubone is not quite easy, but it would be close to “straw boss” or “Ms. Bossy Pants” in English.
The word ostubone has a negative image and is often used when gossiping behind someone’s back. It connotes spitefulness and a tendency to nag. You shall not used it for your senior coworkers that you look up to with respect.
Credit CC BY 2.0: Nestor Lacle Title: West Shinjuku Silhouettes source: Flickr
Coto Japanese Academy is a unique Japanese Language School in Iidabashi Tokyo, we offer relaxed and fun conversational lessons for all levels of Japanese learner. Coto Japanese Academy prides itself on its community atmosphere and fun lessons that focus on creation of opportunities to speak and learn Japanese. If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo – please visit our contact page here.
If you are interested in studying Japanese, find out more about our school by filling out the form below.
Who has never gone crazy over a new video game, an anime or a new phone? Like children, we can easily be absorbed by an exciting new item or activity. We unknowingly let time pass by when doing this activity, oblivious to our surroundings. Japanese people are no exception to that phenomenon and they too are attracted to new trends! Interested in a popular novelty they have heard about, some Japanese may even become completely consumed by it to the point they forget about everything else.
Well, becoming absorbed by something new and being crazy about it can be expressed in Japanese using the slang with hamaru【はまる】.
Originally, the verb hamaru means to “fit in” and can be used for situation like “to fit into the river” 「川にはまる」”fits into the trap” 「罠にはまる」 or to say that one is entangled in a bad situation.
However in Japanese slang, hamaru means “to be crazy into something”,”to be infatuated with”, or “totally absorbed by”. In that context, hamaru is not so far from its original meaning. It describes how you “fit” into that enthusiasm, and you cannot escape it. We know well of the addiction Japanese people have to online and smartphone gaming, which is easily noticeable on morning train!
「趣味にはまる」「shumi ni hamaru」to be crazy with a hobby
「私はあの歌手にはまる。」「watashi ha ano kashu ni hamaru」I’m obsessed with that singer.
Generally speaking, hamaru is mainly related to hobbies such as video games, animes, tv-shows and so on. Hamaru may also be used to describe a person in love, obsessed with the object of their affection.
Oddly, though hamaru may refer to pleasant things (activities or a person you are infatuated with), it can also be used for considerably less fun things… such as working and studying! Generally seen as troublesome activities, if one become crazy about his work or his study, you can also use hamaru. Crazy indeed!
≪Tomodachi doushi no kaiwa≫
A: Hisashiburi. saikin dou?
B: Jitsu hasa, saikin onrain geemu ni hamattete.
Yasumi no hi ha 10 jikan hayatteru kamo.
A: E~! mechyakuchya hamatteru ne.
English Translation
“Conversation between friends”
A: It’s been a while. How are you doing lately?
B: The truth is, lately I’ve been addicted to online games. On my days off I play for maybe ten hours.
A: What?! You must be addicted like crazy.
Another word used in the same way as the verb hamaru, is the Japanese-made English phrase, “my boom”, 「マイブーム」. Yes, in Japan, you will hear a lot of English phrases scattered into Japanese conversations that will make no sense to anyone who isn’t Japanese. We call it “wasei-eigo”, 「和製英語」or “Japanese-Made English”. To get back to our point, the expression “my boom” is translated by “I am into…”, “I am crazy about…”.
例: 最近オンラインゲームにハマってるの。（最近オンラインゲームがマイブームなの！）
rei: Saikin onrain geemu ni hamatteru no. (saikin onrain geemu ga mai buumu na no!)
Example: Lately I’m really into online games (Online games are my boom lately!).
The next time you will speak about your hobbies with your Japanese friends, you will know what to say!
Want to find out more about some other Japanese Slang? Damemoto is one of which you might be interested in!
Want to find out more about Coto Japanese Academy? Try taking a look at the various Japanese Language Courses we offer!
Credit CC BY- ND 2.0: We Make Noise！
Title: 發夢中 source: Flickr
Coto Japanese Academy is a unique Japanese Language School in Iidabashi Tokyo, we offer relaxed and fun conversational lessons for all levels of Japanese learner. Coto Japanese Academy prides itself on its community atmosphere and fun lessons that focus on creation of opportunities to speak and learn Japanese. If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo – please visit our contact page here.
When you are learning a foreign language, studying slangs is a funny way to deepen your vocabulary. Not only will you speak more fluently but you will sound more like a native speaker. Moreover, slang gives you an interesting point of view on society. Let’s learn more about Japanese slang mattari (suru)!
Japanese people are known for their dedication to their work often to the detriment of their private life, working overtime, sometimes even on weekends. In some companies, things are so hectic and intense, that it makes us wonder if salarymen get any rest at all.
That being said, Japanese people care for their days-off. They will meet their friends, go see a popular exhibition or a movie. Or simply enjoying chilling out on their couch doing nothing. Being relaxed and laid-back is expressed by the Japanese slang word: mattari (suru) [まったりする].
Origins of Mattari
The word mattari belongs to the vocabulary of the gastronomy and has been around for a long time. It was originally used in the Kansai area to describe a “mild, but deep taste“. Not only was it describing the taste, but also the way this kind of flavor spreads slowly in your mouth.
It is around 1998 that the word was diverted from its original meaning in an anime, called “Ojarumaru”「おじゃる丸」, broadcasted by the NHK. In the anime, the word was used to describe the mood and attitude of someone.
Progressively, mattari became used to describe a state of laziness (being carefree or at ease). Used with this meaning, a sense of boredom is also implied. It can also be translated by “to lounge”, “to relax” or “to chill out“. It is close to other Japanese words such as “yukkuri (suru)”「 ゆっくり（する）」, “nonbiri shite iru”「のんびりしている」、”daradara (suru)”「ダラダラ（する）」, gorogoro (suru) 「ゴロゴロ（する）」.
With young people using it more commonly to say they are chilling out, the original meaning grew unusual and the Japanese slang mattari (suru) was born!
Example: ≪ Tomodachi no kaiwa ≫ A: Ne~e, chotto tsukare chatta. Dokka de mattari ocha demo shinai? B: Ī ne, sō shiyou.
Example: <<Conversation between friends>> A: I’m pretty tired. Do you want to relax somewhere and maybe get some tea or something? B: Good idea. Let’s do that.
Example: <<Conversation between a married couple or boyfriend and girlfriend>> A: What should we do this weekend? B: I’ve had to work a lot of overtime this week, so I want to stay home and take it easy.
Example: ≪ Koibito dōshi/ fūfu no kaiwa ≫ A: Shūmatsu wa dō shiyou ka? B: Konshū wa zangyō tsudzuki de tsukaretakara, ie de mattari shitai na.
例：≪友達の会話≫ A: GWはどうだった？ B: んー、特に何も。家でまったりしてた。
Example:≪ Tomodachi no kaiwa ≫ A: GW wa dōdatta? B: N- , tokuni nani mo. uchi de mattari shi teta.
Example: <<Conversation between friends>> A: How as Golden Week? B: I didn’t really do anything. Just stayed home and was lazy.
Japanese summers are so hot and humid, that you may not want to hang out with your Japanese friend when they invite you to go somewhere. Mattari offers you a nice way out. Now, you know what to say!
Coto Japanese Academy is a unique Japanese Language School in Iidabashi Tokyo, we offer relaxed and fun conversational lessons for all levels of Japanese learner. Coto Japanese Academy prides itself on its community atmosphere and fun lessons that focus on creation of opportunities to speak and learn Japanese. If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo – please visit our contact page here.
If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo, find out more about our school by filling out the form below.
One of the many ways to become more fluent in a foreign language is to study its slangs. Not only will you speak more fluently but you will sound more like a native speaker.
Let’s see today, how you would say “shotgun wedding” in Japanese. Well, with the expression: “dekikon” 「できこん」「でき婚」!
This expression describes a wedding that is or was arranged to avoid embarrassment due to an unplanned pregnancy rather than out of the desire of the participants!
You can literally translate as “we already made (a baby) marriage”. Have you heard it before?
Now, let’s take a look at the interesting construction of this Japanese slang word. The first part, “deki” comes from the sentence 「（子どもが）できてしまった」 which means “got pregnant” or “gave birth”.
As the sentence carries a very negative nuance, it is closer in meaning to the expression ” to get knocked up”.
The second part, “kon” originates from the word “kekkon” 「けっこん」「結婚」 which means marriage. Finally, the both parts “dekikon” were combined as an abbreviation for the following sentence:
「（子どもが）できちゃった（から）結婚（する・した）」 [(kodomo) ga dekichatta (kara) kekkon (suru・shita)]
The literal translation is “to get / got married because of having conceived a child”. But we all now the underlying meaning: because you conceived a child before getting married, you have to get / had to get a quick wedding to save face”.
The Japanese slang “dekikon” appeared during the 90’s as for some various reasons, wedding triggered by pregnancy increased.
By 2000’s, marriages due to unplanned parenthood became popular among young Japanese of 19/20 years old, as several celebrities such as idols made it a trend in Japan. This way of getting married is also called 「ダブルハッピー」 “double happy” or 「マタニティウェディング」 “maternity wedding”.
If those words have a pretty obvious meaning, there is a third and quite euphemistic way to speak about shotgun wedding: 「おめでた婚」 “omedeta kon”: a “blessed” marriage.
Let’s see the word dekikon used in a conversation between two friends:
(Dansei no tomodachi dōshi no kaiwa) A: Jitsuwa, saraigetsu ni kekkon suru koto ni natta nda. B: E? Soreha omedetō. Zuibun kyūda na. Moshikashite, dekikon? A: Un,-sō…
English Translation (two male friends are discussing together) A：To tell the truth, in two months, I am getting married. B：Wow, that is a great news! Congratulations! That was pretty quick. Wait. Don’t tell me it’s a shotgun wedding? A：Actually… Yeah.
(Jyosei no tomodachi dōshi no kaiwa) A: Kiita? C san ha raigetsu kekkon suru sou desu. B: Ee. Dekikon rashidesune. A: E-, shiranakattan desu.
English translation (Two female friends are discussing together) A: Have you heard? C san is apparently getting married next month. B: Yeah. Seems to be a shotgun wedding. A: Eh? I didn’t know.
Of course, as it is used casually with friends, family, or those close to you, you should avoid using it in more formal conversation.
Credit CC BY 2.0: amira_a Title: Let love rule source: Flickr
Coto Japanese Academy is a unique Japanese Language School in Iidabashi Tokyo, we offer relaxed and fun conversational lessons for all levels of Japanese learner. Coto Japanese Academy prides itself on its community atmosphere and fun lessons that focus on creation of opportunities to speak and learn Japanese. If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo – please visit our contact page here.
When you are learning a foreign language, studying slang is a funny way to deepen your vocabulary. Not only will you speak more fluently but you will sound more like a native speaker. Moreover, slang gives you an interesting point of view on society. Let’s see how Japanese people would casually speak about seduction and picking up someone!
Picking People up?
We frequently read in the news that Japanese people are becoming less and less interested in love stories and dating. That might be true, but picking up girls and boys is still a trend along Tokyo’s night districts. Just a quick search on the Internet, you’ll be quick to see how much the Japanese Youth love wandering about to invite someone on a date or even seduce them. You will also find that young Japanese people also tend to try their luck along the streets of Tokyo at night, attracting girls’ attention with pick-up lines. This type of flirtation is called in the Japanese slang would be known as “nanpa suru” 「ナンパする」 for men and “gyaku nan suru” 「逆ナンする」 for women.
If you have been in Japan and went out at night, you might have noticed those guys hanging on the street, calling girls. They are actually calling girls they don’t know with some pretty simple and common lines:
“do you wanna go to karaoke?”: 「カラオケ行かない？」
“do you wanna go for a drink?”:「一緒に飲みに行かない？」
“do you want to see my dog at home?” :「うちの犬、見に来ない？」
Where did the Word come from?
The word “nanpa” comes from the Japanese word for “moderate” 「軟派」. In Japanese slang however, nanpa 「ナンパ」 alone means “seducer“, “smooth talker” or even “ladies’ man”. When you add the verb suru「する」it refers to the action of picking up women.
Gyaku 「逆」means “reverse” or “opposite”. “Gyaku nan suru” refers to women picking men in the street, inviting them somewhere with similar techniques. When you are hit on by someone, you will say “nanpa sareru” 「ナンパされる」 or “gyaku nan sareru” 「逆ナンされる」. By doing nanpa/gyaku nan regularly, you might be taken for a shallow person.
Rei1: Otoko tomodachi no kaiwa A: Kinō, kurabu de metcha taipu no ko ga itandakedo. B: O~o. A: Nanpa shiyou to shitara, hoka no yatsu ni saki kosa re chatta nda yoo.
English Translation Two guy friends are having a conversation A： There was a super hot girl at the club yesterday. B： Oh. A： I tried to pick (nanpa) her up, but another guy beat me to it.
Rei2: Wakai on’nanoko dōshi no kaiwa A: Saikin, kareshi ga dekita nda. B: Doko de shiri atta no? A: Shibuya de gyaku Nan shita !?
English Translation
A conversation between two young women A: I got a boyfriend recently. B: Where did you meet him? A: I picked (gyaku nanpa) him up in Shibuya. So next time you are ready to party with your friends in Japan and looking for love… You know how to express it! Also, here’s how you can ask someone to go out on a date with you in Japanese! ;D
Coto Japanese Academy is a unique Japanese Language School in Iidabashi Tokyo, we offer relaxed and fun conversational lessons for all levels of Japanese learner. Coto Japanese Academy prides itself on its community atmosphere and fun lessons that focus on creation of opportunities to speak and learn Japanese. If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo – please visit our contact page here.
If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo, find out more about our school by filling out the form below.
Describing someone as Egocentric, Selfish or even Self-centered…
Jiko chuu「自己チュー」「自己中」「ジコチュー」!
It is a well known fact that Japanese society cares for selflessness and considers it to be an important value. For Japanese people, nothing is greater than to put others’ need before oneself. If you are familiar with Japanese movies, anime or manga, you understand how deeply self-sacrifice is rooted in Japanese popular culture.
You can feel that selflessness in the notion of omotenashi, the Japanese sense of hospitality. Tourists and foreigners living in Japan are often surprised by how Japanese people are thoughtful and extremely helpful even with no gain to themselves.
Jikochuu
Derivation of the Word 自己中 (Jikochuu)
That being said… Everyone has their selfish moment! And there is a perfect Japanese Slang word to express someone’s selfishness: Jiko chuu, 「自己チュー」「自己中」「ジコチュー」.
Not to be confused with Jikoshoukai, Jiko chuu is an abbreviation of the word 自己中心的 (jiko chuu shin teki) which means selfish, egocentric, or self-centered.
This Japanese slang word is used to talk about someone who thinks he/she is pretty much the most important person in the world and he/she couldn’t care less about doing things for other people.
Obviously, this word does not carry a positive meaning. As it belong to Japanese slang, jiko chuu should only be used casually with friends, family or those close to you. This expression can also be used with the characters for man, woman, or person as follows:
「自己チュー男」(jikochuu otoko)、selfish man
「自己チュー女」(jikochuu onna)、 selfish woman or
「自己チューな人」(jikochuu hito)、 selfish person
In Japanese society, as we said previously, one should pay attention to others and particularly be careful not to hurt their feeling. Spend too much time talking about you, and you will quickly look like a self centered person.
例：彼女は他人のことを気にしない。言いかえれば、自己中だ。
Rei: kannojo ha hokano hito no koto wo ki ni shinai. Iikaereba, jiko chuu da.
Example: She doesn’t pay attention to others; in other words, she is selfish.
In a Formal Context…
Now that you know the slang word for selfish, what would you say in a more proper language ? Well, if you wish to express the selfishness of someone in formal language, you will use instead “waga mama“「わがまま」
「彼はわがままです」 (kare ha waga mama desu): He is selfish.
「わがままな子供」 (waga mamana kodomo): A selfish child.
Let’s see an example of a casual conversation between friends:
A : Ne kiite. Uchi no dannatte honto ni jikokchuu!
B : Doushita no?
A : Watashi ga terebi wo miteru no ni, nani mo iwanaide katte ni channeru wo kaetandayo.
B : Aa, sore ha tashika ni chotto jikochuu da ne…
Let’s take a look at the English translation:
(Two female friends are talking amongst each other)
A：Ugh, my husband is so selfish!
B：Whoa, what happened?
A：I was just watching TV when he came over and without saying anything, he changed the channel!
B：Oh, indeed. That is kinda selfish…
From now on, if you want to complain about the selfishness of your friend, you know what to say!
Credit CC-BY-SA: Martin Abegglen Title: egoist Flickr
Coto Japanese Academy is a unique Japanese Language School in Iidabashi Tokyo, we offer relaxed and fun conversational lessons for all levels of Japanese learner. Coto Japanese Academy prides itself on its community atmosphere and fun lessons that focus on creation of opportunities to speak and learn Japanese. If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo – please visit our contact page here.
If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo, find out more about our school by filling out the form below.
When you are learning a foreign language, studying slang is a funny way to deepen your vocabulary. Not only will you speak more fluently but you will sound more like a native speaker. Moreover, slang gives you an interesting point of view on society.
If you have been to Japan and met with some Japanese friends, you might know by now how deeply they care to be on time. Indeed, one of the most important values of Japanese society is to respect others. Arriving on time or even better, early, is considered the polite thing to do when you meet with someone. Sadly, no one can always be one time, and sometimes even showing to the date might be impossible! What would you say the day you are stood up by a Japanese? Or what would you say if, at the last minute, you have to cancel a rendezvous with a friend?
Definition
Well, in Japanese slang, it would be “dotakyan (suru)“, 「ドタキャン(する）」, the meaning being “to cancel an appointment at the last minute”. This word is a construction between Japanese and English. The word “dotanba” means “last minute” in Japanese. It is joined with “kyan” short for the word “kyanseru” 「キャンセル」 made on the English “cancel“. Japanese slang words are often made by a combination of Japanese and English.
When you are the one canceling, you will use “dotakyan suru” but if you are the one who got stood up, you will use “dotakyan sareru” 「ドタキャンされる」.
Originally, this expression was a technical word used among those from the entertainment and travel industries. It became common to use it around the 1990’s and is now used by everyone. A quick search on the Internet shows many articles wondering about the reasons why someone would cancel at the last moment and how one should react!
Examples of usage
(1) A conversation with a friend Woman 1：あれ、どうしたの？何かあった？ Woman 2：ちょっと、聞いてよ。明日デートの約束してたのに、またドタキャンされちゃった！
Roma-ji Woman 1：are? doshitano? nanika atta? Woman 2：Chotto kiiteyo. Ashita deeto no yakusoku shitetanoni mata dotakyan sarechatta.
English translation Woman 1 : Oh, what’s going on? Did something happen? Woman 2 : Listen to this. I had a date tomorrow, but it got canceled at the last moment again! (2) An email to a close colleague ごめん！急な仕事が入って、残業になってしまいました。。 今日の飲み会、残念ながら行けません。 ドタキャンで本当にごめんなさい！！
Roma-ji Gomen, kyuu-na shigoto ga haitte, zangyo ni natteshimaimashita. Kyoo no nomikai, zannen nagara ikemasen.. Dotakyan de hontoni sumimasen..
Email to co-worker I’m sorry! An urgent job just came in, so I have to work overtime It is really regrettable, but I will not be able to go to today’s drinking party. I’m really sorry to cancel at the last moment!
(3) Simple apologies 昨日はドタキャンしてすみませんでした。
Roma-ji Kinou ha dotakyan shite sumimasen deshita.
English translation I am sorry that I canceled at the last minute yesterday.
Of course, you should always be careful to not do “dotakyan” to someone. Of course, canceling a meeting or a date at the last minute is badly seen everywhere, but in Japan, you are considered as extremely rude, and you should always cancel with your deepest apologies. Remember that this expression can be addressed only if you are canceling right before the time given. For example, you cannot use it in an apology to cancel tomorrow’s appointment.
Coto Japanese Academy is a unique Japanese Language School in Iidabashi Tokyo, we offer relaxed and fun conversational lessons for all levels of Japanese learner. Coto Japanese Academy prides itself on its community atmosphere and fun lessons that focus on creation of opportunities to speak and learn Japanese. If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo – please visit our contact page here.
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Gratitude and appreciation for the little things are deeply rooted in Japanese culture, but did you know that saying “thank you” in Japanese isn’t as simple as it seems?
Depending on who you’re speaking to, the phrase you use can change significantly. And we’re not just talking about the difference between “arigatou” and “arigatou gozaimasu.” For example, the way you thank a friend differs from how you thank a client. The social proximity and status between the speaker and the degree of politeness determine the best manners and phrases to use. From the formal kansha shimasu to the English loanword that’s popular among young men, sankyuu, every situation calls for a different “thank you”.
But don’t worry! Here’s a practical guide to 20 different ways to say “thank you” in Japanese. We’ll break down when to use each phrase (and when not to), explain the nuances behind them, and give you example situations so you can express gratitude naturally in Japan.
What is Thank You in Japanese?
The most basic and commonly used way to say “thank you” in Japanese is 「ありがとうございます」(arigatou gozaimasu). However, Japanese is a language rich in nuance and politeness, so there are several variations of the phrase depending on the level of formality, the situation, and who you are speaking with.
Kanji for Arigatou（ありがとう）
The kanji for arigatou is 有り難い. The word was originally used in Buddhism, where 有る (aru) means “existing; being”. If you’ve learned a few kanji, you will probably be familiar with the second character, 難, which is also used for the Japanese adjective muzukashii (難しい), which means “difficult”.
Here, 難い comes from gatou (難う), which carries the same meaning (muzukashii) and is derived from the Japanese adjective “difficult.”
Together, they both can be translated to “something that rarely exists,” “difficult to have,” or “something rare and precious.“
Think of the phrase arigatou as a Japanese proverb: Having someone do something for you is a rare and precious thing.
Now, the word arigatou is often written in hiragana. ありがとう or, if you’re familiar with the more formal and long way to say thank you, ありがとうございます(arigatou gozaimasu).
History of Arigatou（ありがとう）
It’s interesting to look at the kanji characters that trace their historical roots back to the 8th Century.
According to the kokugo dictionary (national dictionary), arigatashi originally meant “difficult to exist”, which later had its meaning changed to “something rare”. It wasn’t until the 15th century that it eventually came to mean welcome or thankful.
Culture of Saying Thank You in Japan
Japanese culture and way of living are reflected in its language. Different pronouns, honorific titles and verb forms are used depending on the relationship between speaker and listener, ranging from downright rude to the utmost respect.
Similar to saying sorry, expressing the basic arigatou gozaimasu (ありがとうございます) is tightly related to the Japanese culture of groupthink, humility and compassion. In Japan, people try to put the priority of their in-group (uchi) ahead of their own personal desires.
Ironically, one “ありがとうございます” in a Japanese work setting can come off as curt and insincere. Instead, say thanks a second time is necessary to show one’s sincere feelings of appreciation for receiving a kind gesture.
For example, instead of saying “Thank you for waiting,” Japanese people might opt to say “Sorry for keeping you so long.” They might not necessarily seek forgiveness, but this apology is a token of politeness and humility.
This is because “thank you” and “sorry” fits nicely with one another — or, at least, in Japan’s structured society. Sometimes, it seems like a few minutes of Japanese thank-yous amongst a group of recipients will last an eternity.
Keep in mind that in formal writing and business situations, the word can be written as either 有り難う or 有難う followed by ございます.
It’s perfectly acceptable and quite common in business situations to say thank you in its hiragana form as ありがとうございます. And if you feel really appreciative of what you have received, you can add どうも or おおきに to the beginning of the previous word.
Casual and Everyday Ways to Say Thank You in Japanese
1. Sankyuu (サンキュー)
Sounds familiar? The word sankyuu is a loanword taken too literally from the English phrase “thank you”. The Japanese alphabet doesn’t recognize the consonant “th, so the “s” is used (full table on converting English to Japanese consonants here).
And because it’s a loanword, it means it’s written in katakana, too. There are typically two written versions: サンキュー (with a long “u” vowel sound at the end) and サンキュ (with a short “u” vowel).
It goes without saying, but never use サンキュー to someone socially higher or older than you. Only use this on your friends whom you are close to, as even saying it to a same-aged classmate or colleague can give the wrong impression of being “too friendly”.
Most of the time, this casual way of saying thank you in Japanese is used by young Japanese people.
2. Azassu (あざっす)
Sankyuu is a loan word, but azassu is a popular Japanese slang. The word actually comes from the original ありがとうございます. If you try saying it fast, you’ll notice that you’re going to skip some vowels and consonants. That’s how azassu was born.
This is one of the slang words that are popular among Japanese men. In the same way saying ore sounds more rough and masculine, あざっす has a light and casual tone. It can be written as あざーす、あざーっす or あざす. It depends on the length of the vowel you might want to emphasize.
3. Azamasu (あざます)
Another branch of the same slang word above, あざます is popular among young people in Japan. Other variations include ざす(zasu) and あざお(azao). You’ll notice that men tend to use these slang words more often than women, too.
4. Doumo (どうも)
Domo and arigatou tend to have similar formality levels expressed in quite casual situations. Domo is used more often by male speakers and is less often heard among Japanese women.
It’s a quick, shortened way to say thank you to your friends or family if you don’t want to use slang words. Keep in mind that, rank-wise, doumo is more casual than the shortened arigatou. Because of this, save this for someone who has the same social status, if not lower than you.
This phrase for saying thank you is extremely casual. It’s an even more casual way to say thank in Japanese than “arigatou”. Because of its extreme light tone, this phrase is often used with people at the same social status level as you or lower, like your friends and younger siblings. It’s also okay to say it to the cashier or restaurant staff.
5. Sumimasen (すみません)
すみません (Sumimasen) literally means “excuse me” or “sorry,” but in Japanese it’s also commonly used to say thank you, especially when someone has gone out of their way to help you or do you a favor. This expression conveys a mix of gratitude and a slight feeling of apology for causing trouble or inconvenience.
For example, if someone holds the door open for you or helps you carry something heavy, saying sumimasen shows you appreciate their effort while acknowledging you might have caused them a little extra work.
Sometimes, sumimasen is even more natural than just saying “thank you” directly.
6. Sumanai (すまない)
You know how “azasu” is a slangy, shortened version of “arigatou gozaimasu”? Well, “sumanai” works the same way for “sumimasen.” It’s an informal, rougher-sounding way to say sorry or even thank you, depending on the context.
You’ll often hear guys using it more than girls, but it’s not a gendered phrase. It just carries a slightly tougher or blunt tone. Like with most casual Japanese slang, this one’s best reserved for close friends or peers. Definitely don’t use it with your boss or in any formal situation!
7. Arigatou (ありがとう)
Arigatou is really an archetypical way to express a friendly-casual thank you in Japanese. Arigatou has an identical meaning to the English “thanks”, which means that you probably know that it shouldn’t be used in formal situations.
However, because it’s less casual than doumo, you can still use it with someone older than you, like your senpai, parents or ojiisan. Keep in mind that, while it’s acceptable, the most important thing is the relationship distance you have with them.
8. Arigatou gozaimasu (ありがとうございます)
Adding gozaimasu signifies an even more formal situation, the distance between the speakers and is typically used in business encounters. It shows respect and politeness. You can also use this form for strangers, like a waiter, the konbini clerk or a distant acquaintance.
Notice sometimes people switch between the present and past tense of arigatou gozaimasu? You say arigatou gozaimashita (ありがとうございました) when someone has already helped or done a favor.
For example, if someone is offering a hand to carry your luggage, you will use the present tense.
荷物を持ってくれてありがとうございます。 Nimotsu o motte kurete arigatou gozaimasu. Thank you for carrying my luggage.
However, if that person has carried the luggage yesterday, you’d opt for arigatou gozaimashita instead.
昨日, 荷物を持ってくれてありがとうございました。 Kinou, nimotsu o motte kurete arigatou gozaimashita. Thank you for carrying my luggage yesterday.
9. Doumo arigatou gozaimasu (どうもありがとうございます)
In this case, adding doumo on the front emphasizes your appreciation further and makes it more polite. Besides that, you can use hontou ni (本当に), which means truly.
本当にありがとうございます。 I am truly thankful.
10. Doumo arigatou ( どうも ありがとう)
This expression is a small step up from a simple “arigatou,” but it’s a bit more casual and friendly than “arigatou gozaimasu.” It’s best used with friends, family, or younger people to show your gratitude in a warm, informal way. “Doumo” by itself can also be used casually, but we’ll cover that shortly.
11. Kurete arigatou (～くれてありがとう)
～くれてありがとう is used when you want to say “thank you for [doing something]” and attach a verb to show what action you’re thankful for. It’s commonly used in casual situations with friends, family, or people close to you. Use this structure when you’re directly thanking someone for an action they did for you or someone in your inner circle.
To use it, attach it to the て-form of a verb, which acts like a “connector” in Japanese grammar.
手伝ってくれてありがとう Tetsudatte kurete arigatou Thanks for helping me.
How to Say Thank You in Business Japanese
Now that we’ve gone over some casual and everyday ways to express appreciation in Japanese, let’s shift to how to say thank you in professional or workplace settings. These phrases are typically reserved for office communication and are especially common in business emails. Using them for everyday situations might come across as overly formal or stiff.
12. Kansha shimasu (感謝します)
This is usually used in business emails, more often written than spoken, as you can come off as stiff or “old-school” if you attempt to say it. The word kansha (感謝) means thanks or gratitude, which is, of course, the same as the other thank-yous above, but it has a more polite tone to it.
In business Japanese emails, you can start off withitsumo sapoto shiteitadaki, kansha shimasu (いつもさーポッとしていただき、感謝します), which means “thank you for your continued support”
You will need to add the verb する after the end. If you want to level up the formality and flex your business Japanese skill, you can use Japanese keigo instead and follow the typical rule of adding a prefix on the noun and changing する to its humble form: いたす.
The highest degree you can get from using 感謝します as an alternative to arigatou gozaimasu is ご感謝いたします(gokansha ita shimasu).
心の底からご感謝いたします。 Kokoro no soko kara gokansha ita shimasu. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
13. Osoreirimasu (恐れ入ります)
Lastly is the most formal phrase 恐れ入ります (おそれいります), used to thank someone for the trouble they went through to help you. The word osore (恐れ) means uneasiness, reverence or concern.
Like sumimasen, 恐れ入ります doesn’t translate immediately as “thank you” in Japanese. Even Japanese people don’t use it often, as it’s only used in super formal situations like in meetings. You can think of this phrase as something like, “Would you be so kind?”
Unlike sumimasen, which can be used as an apology, osoreirimasu is used to only acknowledge the trouble someone has done for you.
恐れ入りますが、私手紙を出してくれませんか？ Osoreirimasuga, watashi tegami o dashitekuremasenka? Would you be so kind as to post my letter?
14. Arigataki shiawase (ありがたき幸せ)
We can’t help but sneak this one in. If you’ve never heard of it before, that’s completely understandable. Arigataki shiawase is an old-fashioned way used by Japanese samurai to show gratitude to their lord. If you like to watch Japanese historical drama, you’ve probably come across it a few times.
Now, some people still like to use it in a sarcastic way. It is sometimes used as an old-fashioned expression with humor when you catch a person doing something they don’t usually do.
まさか、お弁当を作って下さるなんて、誠にありがたき幸せにござります。 Masaka, obentou o tsukutte kudasaru nante, makoto ni arigataki shiwase ni gozarimasu. No way… I am very grateful and happy that you made me a lunchbox.
15. Haisha moushiwagemasu ( 拝謝申し上げます)
“拝謝申し上げます” is a very polite and formal way to express gratitude. It is often used in business settings or formal written communication to show deep respect and sincere thanks to the other person.
The meaning is similar to saying, “I humbly express my heartfelt thanks” or “I sincerely offer my gratitude.” This Japanese thank you phrase uses keigo, with an implied meaning that you are putting yourself socially below the person you are thanking.
16. Otsukare sama desu (おつかれさまです)
This isn’t technically an official way to say “thank you” in Japanese, but otsukaresama desu (お疲れ様です) is a versatile phrase widely used in the workplace. It carries several meanings—it can be a greeting, a way to say “good job,” or a polite way to express appreciation for someone’s effort. In many cases, it functions as a congratulatory or thankful phrase.
For example, you might say it after finishing a presentation with a coworker or to thank someone for sending out an important email. It’s a go-to phrase for acknowledging and appreciating someone’s hard work in a professional setting.
17. Itadaite arigatou (~いただいてありがとうございます)
いただいてありがとうございます is a very polite and formal way to say “thank you for giving me [something]” in Japanese. It uses the humble verb いただく, which means “to receive,” typically used when you’re talking about receiving something from someone of higher status or when you want to sound respectful.
The phrase is formed by taking the て-form of いただく (いただいて) and attaching ありがとうございます, the polite form of “thank you.” This construction is commonly used in business settings, emails, or formal conversations to express gratitude for something you’ve been given, such as a message, a reply, or documents.
For example, you might say ご連絡をいただいてありがとうございます to mean “Thank you for contacting me.”
Saying Thank You When Eating in Japan
While you can always say arigatou gozaimasu to thank someone for the food, did you know that Japanese dining etiquette has specific phrases to use depending on whether you are about to start or have just finished your meal?
18. Itadakimasu (頂きます)
Itadakimasu is a polite phrase traditionally said before eating a meal in Japan. While it literally means “I humbly receive,” it carries a much deeper cultural meaning. Saying itadakimasu is a way of expressing gratitude, not just to the person who prepared the food, but also to the farmers, animals, plants, and everyone involved in bringing the meal to the table.
Though there’s no direct equivalent in English, it’s sometimes compared to saying “Let’s eat” or “Bon appétit.”
19. Gouchisousama deshita (ごちそうさまでした)
Gochisousama deshita (ごちそうさまでした) is the standard phrase you say after finishing a meal in Japanese to thank the person who prepared, treated, or served the food. Literally, 馳走 once meant “to run about” (as in going to great lengths to prepare a feast), so the phrase conveys appreciation for all the effort behind the meal.
Don’t get mistaken between itadakimasu and gouchisousama deshita! Itadakimasu is said before you eat the food. Gouchisousama deshita is said after you finish eating!
Bonus: Bowing to say Thank You in Japanese
Showing appreciation in Japan isn’t always about words—nonverbal gestures like bowing, or ojigi, play a huge role in expressing gratitude and respect. Bowing is a tradition that dates back over 1,000 years and remains an essential part of Japanese culture today.
Typically, bowing is done from the waist with a straight back. The angle of your bow conveys how humble or respectful you are being: a slight 15-degree bow is casual and common for everyday situations, such as acknowledging a shopkeeper. A deeper 30-degree bow is more formal and often used in professional settings, like greeting clients or coworkers. The deepest bows—around 45 degrees—are reserved for expressing deep gratitude, sincere apologies, or when meeting someone very important.
Of course, if someone just did you a small favor, you don’t need to perform a formal bow. A quick nod or a brief bow can still effectively show your sincerity and thanks.
How to Use Sumimasen and Arigatou in Context
If you live in Japan, you’ll probably realize that sumimasen might as well be Japanese people’s favorite word. That’s because すみません is a versatile word with multiple meanings, ready to be used across different social contexts. It can be said in situations where the English “excuse me” and “sorry” would fit.
遅くてすみませんでした！ Osokute sumimasen deshita! I’m sorry for being late!
Besides these two functions, sumimasen can be used to express gratitude for someone who’s gone through all the trouble helping us. Think of the word as “sorry for being a nuisance.” In other words, when you’re thanking someone, you’re also making a fuss or bothering them. You thank them for allowing you to inconvenience them. This is why, oftentimes, “thank you” goes hand in hand with “I’m sorry”.
Because of this, Japanese people actually use sumimasen a lot more than arigatou. For example, instead of being grateful that someone is holding the elevator for you, you’d say sumimasen. In this case, you’re implying, “Sorry (but thank you) for holding the elevator for me.”
Sumimasen and arigatou don’t have to be used separately, though. You can combine domo, sumimasen and arigatou together when speaking Japanese.
Occasionally, you can attach the word wazawaza (わざわざ ), which means “purposefully”. When you do, it emphasizes your appreciation for bothering someone.
And there you have, a quick guide on how the Japanese use all these permutations to specifically show their appreciation and thanks based upon the situation at hand. Pay particular attention to the situation for which you have been thanked, and you will gradually develop a greater sensitivity to how the expression “thank you” is properly used in Japanese. If you want to learn more, why not join Japanese lessons in Tokyo, or practice with an online Japanese tutor with Coto Academy?
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FAQ
What is the most common way to say thank you in Japanese?
The most common way is 「ありがとうございます」(arigatou gozaimasu). It’s polite and appropriate in most situations, especially when speaking to people you don’t know well.
What does ありがとう (arigatou) mean?
「ありがとう」(arigatou) is a casual way to say “thank you” in Japanese. It’s typically used with friends, family, or people of the same age or lower status.
What's the difference between arigatou and arigatou gozaimasu?
Arigatou is casual and best for informal situations, while arigatou gozaimasu is more polite and respectful. Use the polite version when talking to someone older, in a professional setting, or with people you don’t know well.
Is it rude to only say arigatou?
It’s not rude if you’re speaking casually with friends or people you know well. But in formal or unfamiliar settings, it’s better to use arigatou gozaimasu to sound more polite and respectful.
Saying sorry in Japanese is often much more than simply apologizing. Once you start living here and having daily conversations, you’ll notice that phrases like sumimasen(すみません) appear in situations where — from a Western point of view — a simple “thank you” might seem more appropriate. For example, if you hold the elevator door open for someone, they might respond with sumimasen instead of arigatou. This can be confusing at first, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the cultural nuance behind the phrase.
That is because in Japanese culture, apologies are not just about guilt — they’re a way to show humility, politeness, and consideration. And subsequently, there are many ways to say sorry, each with different levels of formality and subtle meaning. It’s good to understand the significance of each apology. In this article, we’ll look at the many ways to say sorry in Japanese, when to use each one, and how understanding these expressions can help you communicate more naturally and respectfully.
Before we proceed with the article, please note that it will utilize hiragana, so prior knowledge of this script is necessary. If you’re still learning them, don’t worry. Take a look at our hiragana chart to review them.
The Culture of Apologizing in Japanese Society
As you might know, Japanese people are known for their collectiveness and emphasis on harmony and coexisting with others. Individuals are expected to be mindful of how their actions affect those around them and to take responsibility accordingly. This mindset is deeply woven into daily life, from how people express gratitude and greet each other to how they navigate both personal and professional relationships. Even if an individual is born with a unique set of personalities, in Japanese culture, the group comes before the individual. Because of this, harmony inside the group — which, in this case, is a society in general — should be maintained as much as possible.
In Japan, it’s expected to avoid causing meiwaku (迷惑), which means to trouble or annoy others, is one of the bases of Japanese politeness in public spaces. You can see it from small things, like people getting off their phone calls as soon as they go on public transport.
Being polite and courteous is the key to keeping social harmony intact in Japan. Along the way, people make “mistakes”.
Let’s revisit the elevator scenario. Why did the man say sumimasen instead of arigatou?
In Japanese, sumimasen isn’t just used to apologize — it also acknowledges that someone has gone out of their way for you. In this case, the man is essentially saying, “I’m sorry to have made you wait,” showing both apology and gratitude at the same time. That subtle mix of feelings is deeply rooted in Japanese communication.
In other words, it’s common for people in Japan to say sorry even for the smallest inconveniences. It’s a way of showing awareness of how your actions affect others — not just following social norms, but actively reflecting on them.
When Do I Need to Apologize in Japan?
1. When You Made a Mistake
This is obvious, but many of us might feign ignorance when we make a small mistake. It’s important to know that no matter how small, you need to give a genuine apology. Using respectful or humble Japanese form in particular when saying sorry, will come across as more intense.
2. When You’re Causing “Inconvenience”
When someone does a favor for you, like holding a door open and working an hour late to help you, it’s considered polite to “apologize” for causing an inconvenience.
3. When You Want to Show Appreciation
A lot of times, it’s acceptable — encouraged, even — to apologize to someone as a thankful gesture. It’s a way to show appreciation for someone who put thought and effort into you. Think of it like saying, “I’m sorry you have to go all this way for me.”
How to Apologize in Japanese: Everyday Use and Casual
When you accidentally step on your friend’s foot, we don’t expect you to do a full 90-degree bow and use very formal Japanese to apologize. It’s important to know that the Japanese language has several levels of formality, from casual to super polite. This all depends on who you’re talking to and the social context.
When you want to make a casual apology, we recommend using a casual Japanese form, or 丁寧語 (teinieigo). These versions of “I’m sorry” are more commonly used for everyday situations and small inconveniences.
For a deep dive into the difference between keigo (polite) and tameguchi (casual), head to our article here.
1. ごめんなさい (gomennasai): Sorry
The most common and straightforward way to apologize in Japanese comes in a lot of variations. Either way, be careful not to use it when you’re trying to apologize to your boss or superiors. While in English, there’s only one “sorry”, think of gomenasai as the most casual apology that translates directly to, well, sorry. If you want to add more sincerity, you can add the Japanese adverb 本当に:
本当にごめんなさい。 Hontou ni gomennasai. I am so sorry.
私のせいで、ごめんなさい。 Watashi no sei de, gomennasai. It was my fault, I’m sorry.
2. ごめんね (gomen ne): Sorry, man.
Now, this word is actually the shortened version of gomennasai, but you really need to use it with great caution. There’s a slightly playful and casual undertone when you use this. Depending on the situation too, it minimizes the intensity of your apology, so you shouldn’t use the phrase in a serious situation. You can say this when you bump on your friend or use their pen by mistake, but not when you accidentally kick a ball through your neighbor’s window.
Note: In casual conversations among friends, Japanese people usually omit particles like を or は.
3. すみません (sumimasen): Excuse me
People usually rotate between sumimasen and gommenasai, so what’s the difference? ごめんなさい (gomennasai) is strictly used to apologize for something you did wrong. すみません (sumimasen) is used to apologize, too, but the word itself is so much more versatile. In fact, sumimasen can be used for non-apologetic situations, like telling someone you’re passing by or letting them go ahead first when entering a room.
すみません、後ろに通ります。 Sumimasen, ushiro ni toorimasu. Excuse me, I’m passing from behind.
すみません、どうぞ。 Sumimasen, douzo. Excuse me, go ahead.
So while すみません often seems interchangeable with ごめんなさい, the prior is a broader expression. In terms of nuance, gomennasai has a slightly more apologetic tone to it.
4. 悪い (warui): My bad
Similar to gomen ne that we discussed above, 悪い (warui) is another casual way to say sorry in Japanese. You’re not directly apologizing. Rather, you’re acknowledging you did something wrong, like saying “My bad!” in English.
You should only use warui to apologize to friends and peers for non-serious matters. Think of this as slang words between two very good friends.
悪い悪い! Warui warui! My bad!
Instead of saying warui na, you might also hear people say 悪い悪い (warui warui), which has the same meaning. Doubling the word adds a more casual, conversational feel, like quickly saying “Sorry, sorry!” in English.
Formal Ways to Say Sorry in Japanese
Stepping on your friend’s foot is one thing, but sending the wrong email draft to your Japanese boss is another thing. In this scenario, you want to express how deeply sorry you are. Saying sorry in Japanese humble form will help intensify your apology.
Remember that when you use these phrases in a casual context, you’ll come across as sounding stiff or, worse, trying too hard. Only save these apologies for moments where you really mess up badly.
1. 申し訳ございません (moushi wake gozaimasen): What I did was inexcusable.
申し訳ございません (moushi wake gozaimasen) is perhaps the humblest and most formal way to say sorry in Japan. Literally, 申し訳 (moushiwake) means “excuse” or “reason,” and ございません is the humble, polite form of “there is not.” So, when put together, it roughly translates to “There is no excuse.”
There are other variations of moushi wake gozaimasen, depending on the level of formality you’d like to achieve. For example, ございません is the most polite form of ありません, so you can replace it when you feel like using gozaimasen feels too stiff.
申訳わけありません。 Moushi wake arimasen.
Other variations include:
大変申訳わけありませんでした. Taihen moushi wake arimasen deshita.
申し訳ない. Moushi wake nai. I’m sorry!
The word moushi wake nai is the same, but it’s a slightly more casual form than using ございません or ありません. You can use it when you’re trying to make a sincere (but still friendly) apology to your friends.
Unlike gomen nasai or warui, which are more casual apologies we discussed earlier, 申し訳ございません (moushiwake gozaimasen) is reserved for the most serious situations, often used in professional or formal settings. It expresses a deep sense of remorse and responsibility.
However, using this phrase for minor inconveniences—like accidentally bumping into a friend—can feel overly formal or excessive. In those cases, a lighter apology would be more appropriate.
2. ご迷惑をかけてすみません (gomeiwaku o kakete sumimasen): I’m sorry to have caused you trouble
The Japanese word meiwaku can be built into an apology phrase in the event you have created an issue or trouble with someone. In the business context, this means in the event that you’re causing the slightest inconvenience to the other party. This phrase means, “I am deeply sorry to have caused you trouble.”
ご迷惑をおかけして申し訳ございません。 Go meiwaku o okake shite moushi wake gozaimasen. I’m sorry for the inconvenience.
The phrase above is a combination of ご迷惑 and 申し訳ございません, which further intensifies the apology. It is commonly used as a formal greeting in emails and announcements. Other variations include:
ご迷惑をかけてすみません。 Gomeiwaku o kakete sumimasen.
ご迷惑めいわくをかけてごめんなさい。 Gomeiwaku o kakete gomennasai.
3. 恐れ入ります (Osoreirimasu): I’m sorry
Similar to sumimasen, 恐れ入ります (Osoreirimasu) isn’t used as an actual apology, but as a way to excuse yourself. However, osoreirimasu is a more polite and formal way to say sumimasen.
Usually, the phrase 恐れ入ります (Osoreirimasu) is followed by another sentence, connected by が to show contrast.
恐れ入りますが、おかわりを頂けますか？ Osore irimasu ga, okawari o itadakemasuka? Excuse me, but can I have another serving?
4. 謝罪いたします (shazai ita shimasu): I apologize
This is a formal way of apologizing. You’ll see politicians and celebrities saying this when they did something scandalous or needed to make a public apology. Sometimes, this is followed by a 90-degree bow.
5. ご面倒をお掛けして、すみません (gomendou o okakeshite, sumimasen): I’m sorry for the trouble
Similar to 迷惑, this variation of Japanese apology isn’t used when you’re actually begging for forgiveness. Instead, it’s a way to thank someone in Japanese for helping you. This is a formality when someone does something for you.
6. お詫び申し上げます (Owabi moushi agemasu): I apologize.
The word お詫び (owabi) means “I offer my deepest apologies.” This phrase is among the other things Japanese public figure says when they want to apologize to the public. Unlike 申訳わけありません (owabi moushi agemasu), お詫び申し上げます is a strictly formal form, and there’s no way to make it casual. It may even sound too stiff in conversations, so owabi moushi agemasu is mostly used in written language.
Fun fact: Owabi moushi agemasu is the chosen phrase used by Prime Minister Murayama in his infamous apology speech on behalf of Japan for their involvement in World War II.
There are alterations to change the level of humility owabi moushi agemasu. You can instead say:
お詫びいたします Owabi ita shimasu. I apologize.
7. 謝罪いたします (shazai itashimasu): I apologize
More commonly used in written form rather than speech, you should reserve this way of saying “I’m sorry” in Japanese for written statements in emails or letters to work, school or other formal recipients. It’s also quite a sincere apology.
The word shazai means ‘apology’, and itashimasu is the Japanese humble form of suru. This phrase translates to “I’m sorry for my actions.”
8. お許しください (o yurushi kudasai): Please forgive me.
If you’re already familiar with the Japanese language, kudasaiis used to make a request. The apology using お許しください (o yurushi kudasai) literally means, Please forgive me in Japanese. Unlike casual apologies, o yurushi kudasai carries a tone of earnestness and respect, making it suitable for situations where you want to show deep remorse and hope for understanding.
This can be both a formal and informal way to say sorry. If you want to use it to apologize to a friend or peer, you would say 許してください (yurushite kudasai).
9. 反省しております (hansei shite orimasu): I regret (what I have done)
The word 反省 means regret, and しております is the humble form of ~ている. Hansei can also be replaced by 後悔, but both are accepted as a heartfelt way to say sorry in Japanese: by showing regret. The phrases 反省しております (hansei shite orimasu) and 後悔しております (koukai shite orimasu) are heartfelt but polite ways to say sorry in Japanese.
You can switch the しております with しています to make the phrase less formal, but it’s unlikely you’ll use it in everyday situations.
10. 勘弁してください (かんべんして ください): Please show me mercy
This one might sound funny. No one in modern-day society asks someone to show “mercy” when they did something wrong unless they’re being threatened. The word kanben (勘弁) means ‘forgiveness’ or ‘pardon’, but it’s more intense than 許して (yurushite).
However, you’ve probably heard this in anime or drama. Don’t use it for half-urgent situations, because you might sound like you’re trying too hard to apologize.
11. 合わせる顔がない (あわせる かおが ない): I cannot face you
This can also be read as “I am too embarrassed to face you.”
The expression can be used interchangeably with 弁解の余地がない, but it’s mostly used when apologizing via text or email, hence the “too embarrassed to face you” meaning.
12. べんかいの余地がない (benkai no yochi ga nai): There’s no excuse
べんかいの余地がない (benkai no yochi ga nai) translates to “there’s no excuse” or “I have no excuse.” It’s a formal yet heartfelt way to apologize, often used when you want to express sincere remorse for a serious mistake.
Like many formal Japanese apologies, you should reserve this for only the most dire situations, like when you have made a major error at work or in personal relationships.
Other Variations of “I’m Sorry” in Japanese
By now, you’re probably tired of us mentioning, “This phrase is not used to actually apologize.” In fact, most of the time you hear someone apologize in Japanese is unnecessary, as they’re not making a mistake of any sort.
Granted, the Japanese culture places great importance on avoiding inconvenience. Here are a couple of other ‘apologies’ that are considered polite to use as part of social etiquette.
1. 失礼します (shitsurei shimasu): Pardon me
The phrase “ 失礼します (shitsurei shimasu)” is used in a variety of contexts, although the meaning strays from its original use. The expression literally translates to “I’m being rude.” 失礼 means rude or impolite.
You don’t say this when you are in the wrong. Shitsurei shimasu is a form of apology when you’re trying to be polite or excuse yourself. For example, when you enter a room, you will knock and say “失礼します” to apologize for the interruption. If you have to answer an important phone call during a meeting or dinner, you will excuse yourself with 失礼します.
If you do want to use this phrase to say sorry, it’s best to use it in the past tense: shitsurei shimashita.
この間は、失礼しました. Kono aida wa, shitsurei shimashita. I am sorry for the other day.
Say you bumped into a coworker at the office whom you’re unfamiliar with and knocked the binder right out of his arms. While helping him pick it up, you’d say これは失礼しました.
An interesting use of of失礼しました is more commonly heard in the office situation, when you’re going inside the office and when you’re leaving your workplace. When you finish your tasks early, leaving your co-workers behind, you say:
お先に失礼します。 Osaki ni shitsureishimasu! Sorry for leaving before everyone else!
For a more in-depth explanation of the Japanese business お先に失礼します (osaki ni shitsurei shimasu), head to this article.
2. お邪魔します(Ojama shimasu): Pardon the intrusion.
お邪魔します (ojama shimasu) literally means “pardon the intrusion.” While it’s not technically an apology phrase, it carries a similar nuance of politeness and consideration. The word 邪魔 means “hindrance” or “obstacle”. お邪魔します literally means, “I am intruding”, but in many contexts, this is interpreted as “Forgive me for intruding.”
When do you use ojama shimasu? Japanese people use it when they are visiting another person’s home or office room. When you’re leaving the room, you can also use its past tense.
お邪魔しました. Ojama shimashita. Pardon me for intruding (before).
Another way of reading this is as “Excuse me for disturbing you” or “Sorry for interrupting you.” It can also be used when calling someone on the phone.
Saying Sorry in Japanese for Specific Scenarios
Now that you’ve learned the different ways to say sorry in Japanese and when to use each phrase, let’s explore how to apply them in real-life situations
1. When you want to say thank you in Japanese
In Japanese, it’s quite common to use apology phrases like すみません (sumimasen) or 申し訳ありません (moushiwake arimasen) to express gratitude, especially when someone has gone out of their way to help you or caused some inconvenience on your behalf.
This usage might seem confusing at first because these phrases literally mean “I’m sorry,” but culturally, they also carry a sense of “thank you for the trouble” or “thank you for your effort.”
To offer condolences, a common phrase is ご愁傷様です (goshuushou-sama desu), which literally means “I’m sorry for your loss.” It’s a respectful and appropriate expression for many situations.
To further convey sincerity, you might add 心からお悔やみ申し上げます (Kokoro kara o-kuyami mōshiagemasu), which means “please accept my sincerest condolences.”
3. When you want to decline an offer
Another common reason to say sorry in Japan is when you’re offered something or invited somewhere but need to decline. Since it’s very polite to make an offer or invitation, simply saying “no” without any apology can come across as rude or inconsiderate.
Another situation where you might apologize is when you’re offered food but don’t want to eat it. Food and hospitality hold special meaning in Japan, so declining can feel delicate. In these cases, you can say すみません.
How to properly say sorry in Japanese: Manners and gestures
In Japan, apologizing goes far beyond just saying the words. You’ve probably seen politicians or public figures issue a formal apology speech and then finish with a deep, 90-degree bow. This gesture, known as ojigi (お辞儀), is a crucial part of expressing sincere regret in Japanese culture.
A light mistake may only require a simple nod of the head or a slight bow of about 15 degrees. However, for serious offenses — like causing a major loss to your company — a formal deep bow is expected. These bows can range from 30 to 90 degrees, with the depth reflecting how grave the situation is. There is also an extreme form of apology called dogeza (土下座), where you kneel and bow deeply to the ground, showing the utmost humility. This gesture is rarely used in daily life today and is mostly seen in manga, anime, or historical contexts.
You may notice public figures and everyday people apologizing repeatedly. While not a strict rule, this repetition emphasizes sincerity and humility. Saying sorry multiple times helps show that the person truly acknowledges their mistake and regrets any inconvenience caused.
Conclusion: Master apologizing in Japanese
Alright! This guide is longer than we expected, but we just want to make sure we have everything covered. Now that you know the basics of apologizing in Japanese, make sure you’re ready for the appropriate response the next time you do something wrong — or right.
There’s a lot more to the list on how to say “I’m sorry” in Japanese. Like Japanese culture, we’re just scraping the surface. Learning the Japanese language that you can actually use in real life can be tricky. If you want to learn more, why not join Japanese lessons in Tokyo, or practice with an online Japanese tutor with Coto Academy?
If you are interested in learning with us, contact us here or fill out the application form.
FAQ
How do you say “I’m sorry” in Japanese?
You can say ごめんなさい (gomen nasai) to apologize sincerely.
What is sumimasen in Japanese?
すみません (sumimasen) means “I’m sorry,” “excuse me,” or “thank you” depending on context.
What is shitsurei shimasu in Japanese?
失礼します (shitsurei shimasu) means “excuse me” or “sorry for the interruption,” often used when entering or leaving a room.
What is moushiwake arimasen in Japanese?
申し訳ありません (moushiwake arimasen) is a very formal way to say “I’m truly sorry” or “I have no excuse.”
