How to Say ‘I'm sorry’ in Japanese
ごめんなさい
gomen nasai
[goh-men nah-SAI]
🇯🇵 In Japan: This is a personal, heartfelt apology, more for friends and family than for strangers or work. In a shop or office, すみません or the more formal もうしわけありません fits better.
Phrase Breakdown
ごめん
gomen
[goh-men]
sorry
Casual-to-polite apology, a bit more personal than すみません.
ごめんなさい。と先に謝りました。
I first said, “I’m sorry.”
なさい
nasai
[nah-SAI]
please do (polite command)
Polite imperative form of the verb 'to do'; used in set phrases or gentle instructions.
はやく ねなさい。
Go to sleep early.
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