How to Say ‘I'm sorry for the trouble.’ in Japanese
ご迷惑をおかけしました。
go meiwaku o o kake shi mashi ta
[goh meiwaku oh oh KAH-keh shee mah-shee tah]
🇯🇵 In Japan: This set phrase is the go-to apology to neighbors or colleagues after causing any inconvenience, even something small like a wandering pet; it smooths the relationship.
Phrase Breakdown
ご迷惑を
go meiwaku o
trouble, inconvenience
迷惑 (meiwaku) means 'trouble'. ご makes it polite, and を marks the object.
ご迷惑をおかけしてすみません。
I'm sorry for the trouble.
Words in this phrase
ご
go
[goh]
honorific prefix
A polite prefix added to some nouns to make them more respectful or formal.
ご相談の前にお名前をお願いします。
Before the consultation, may I have your name, please?
迷惑
meiwaku
[meiwaku]
trouble
A situation causing inconvenience or annoyance.
彼は迷惑ばっかりかける。
He always causes trouble.
を
o
[oh]
object marker
The particle を marks the direct object of a verb.
チケットを二枚ください。
Two tickets, please.
おかけしました。
o kake shi mashi ta
(I) caused
This is the humble past form of かける (kakeru, 'to cause trouble'). It is a set phrase for apologizing.
お手数をおかけしました。
Sorry for the bother.
Words in this phrase
お
o
[oh]
honorific prefix o-
A polite prefix added to some words, such as tea, to sound more refined and courteous.
お茶をどうぞ。
Please have some tea.
かけ
kake
[KAH-keh]
to cause (trouble); to impose
Stem of kakeru; with meiwaku it means to cause someone trouble.
心配をかけてすみません。
Sorry to make you worry.
し
shi
[shee]
do
し is the stem of する, meaning to do.
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.
昨日は多くのことを学びました。
I learned many things yesterday.
た
ta
[tah]
past tense ending
This ending completes the polite past tense form.
空席がございまし た。
There were vacant seats.
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