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How to Say ‘Oh, did you? I'm very sorry.’ in Japanese

あ、そうでしたか、大変失礼しました。

a sou deshi ta ka taihen shitsurei shi mashi ta

[ah soh deh-shee tah kah tie-HEN sheet-soo-RAY shee mah-shee tah]

Phrase Breakdown

あ、そうでしたか、

a sou deshi ta ka

Oh, is that so?

A reaction of realization. 'あ' is a quick 'oh', and 'そうでしたか' is polite past tense. Pause briefly at the comma.

Example

あ、そうでしたか、すみません。

Oh, is that so? Sorry.

Words in this phrase

あ

[ah]

Ending particle expressing exclamation or surprise.

Example

まぁ、そうだなあ。

Well, that's right, oh.

そう

sou

[soh]

so; that way

Used to refer to something just said, like 'so' or 'that's right.'

Example

そうおもうひとがおおいです。

Many people think so.

でし

deshi

[deh-shee]

was (polite) part

Part of でした, the polite past form of です.

Example

昨日はだめでした。

It was no good yesterday.

た

[tah]

past tense ending

This ending completes the polite past tense form.

Example

空席がございました。

There were vacant seats.

か

[kah]

question marker

Placed at the end of a sentence to make it a question.

Example

A席はありますか。

Are there A seats available?

大変失礼しました。

taihen shitsurei shi mashi ta

I'm terribly sorry.

'大変' (very) plus '失礼しました' (I was rude) makes a formal, sincere apology. Staff in shops and taxis often use it.

Example

間違えてしまい、大変失礼しました。

I made a mistake. I'm terribly sorry.

Words in this phrase

大変

taihen

[tie-HEN]

very; terribly

Used as an adverb meaning 'very much', common in polite apologies.

Example

大変お世話になりました。

Thank you very much for everything.

失礼

shitsurei

[sheet-soo-RAY]

rudeness; excuse me

Means impoliteness; with します it's a polite way to excuse yourself or say goodbye.

Example

お先に失礼します。

Excuse me for leaving before you.

し

shi

[shee]

し is the stem of する, meaning to do.

Example

予約しします。

I do the reservation.

まし

mashi

[mah-shee]

polite past stem

Part of the polite past ending in a verb phrase.

Example

昨日は多くのことを学びました。

I learned many things yesterday.

た

[tah]

past tense ending

This ending completes the polite past tense form.

Example

空席がございました。

There were vacant seats.

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