🇯🇵📉🙏

How to Say ‘My Japanese is still bad, so please forgive me.’ in Japanese

日本語まだ下手なんで、許してください。

nihon go mada heta na n de yurushi te kudasai

[Nihon goh ma-da heh-TAH nah n deh yoo-ROO-shee te kudasai]

🇯🇵 In Japan: Running yourself down is a common Japanese move, and as a foreigner it often earns a warm 上手ですよ "you're good!".

Phrase Breakdown

日本語

nihon go

Japanese (language)

This is the topic of the sentence. The particle は is dropped in casual speech.

Example

日本語、難しいです。

Japanese is difficult.

Words in this phrase

日本

nihon

[Nihon]

Japan

Country located in East Asia.

Example

日本は美しい国です。

Japan is a beautiful country.

語

[goh]

language

Suffix meaning language, attached to country names.

Example

英語を話します。

I speak English.

まだ下手なんで、

mada heta na n de

since I'm still bad at it,

This gives a humble reason. Pause briefly after なんで.

Example

運転はまだ下手なんで、

Since I'm still bad at driving,

Words in this phrase

まだ

mada

[ma-da]

still

Indicates continuation of an action or state.

Example

まだ終わっていません。

It's not finished yet.

下手

heta

[heh-TAH]

bad at; unskilled

Na-adjective meaning poor at a skill.

Example

私は料理が下手です。

I'm bad at cooking.

な

[nah]

-like; adjectival linker

Connects よう to a noun, making a phrase like 'family-like.'

Example

家族のような雰囲気は魅力的です。

A family-like atmosphere is attractive.

ん

[n]

explanatory tone

Adds explanation or background to what the speaker is saying.

Example

写真のプロジェクトをしているんだ。

I'm doing a photography project, you know.

で

[deh]

so; because (part of んで)

With ん, gives a reason casually.

Example

疲れたんで、帰ります。

I'm tired, so I'll go home.

許してください。

yurushi te kudasai

please forgive me.

This is a polite request for forgiveness. Here it is said humbly and with a little humor.

Example

間違えたら許してください。

Please forgive me if I make mistakes.

Words in this phrase

許し

yurushi

[yoo-ROO-shee]

to forgive

Stem of 許す.

Example

遅れてごめん、許して。

Sorry I'm late, forgive me.

て

[te]

and; please do

The て-form ending that connects a verb to the next part, often for requests.

Example

イベントの後で少し話してください。

Please talk with me a little after the event.

ください

kudasai

[kudasai]

please (do)

Used to make a polite request.

Example

手伝ってください。

Please help me.

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