🙏🚫🏥👤

How to Say ‘I'm sorry I couldn't come to see him.’ in Japanese

お見舞いに行けなくて、申し訳なかったです。

o mimai ni ike naku te moushiwake nakatsu ta desu

[o mee-MAI ni ee-keh naku teh moh-shee-WAH-keh nak tah dess]

🇯🇵 In Japan: お見舞い (omimai) is a visit to someone who is sick or in hospital, and it's an important family duty in Japan. If you missed one, mention it when you next see them, especially to the patient's family.

Phrase Breakdown

お見舞いに行けなくて、

o mimai ni ike naku te

for not being able to visit you when you were ill

お見舞い means visiting a sick person. The te-form 行けなくて gives the reason for the apology. Pause at the comma.

Example

お見舞いに行けなくて、ごめんね。

Sorry I couldn't visit you.

Words in this phrase

お

[o]

polite prefix

A prefix added to words to show respect.

Example

お邪魔します、おじゃまします。

Excuse me for disturbing.

見舞い

mimai

[mee-MAI]

visit to a sick person

Visiting or sending wishes to someone who is ill or injured.

Example

祖母のお見舞いに行きます。

I'll visit my grandmother in hospital.

に

[ni]

Indicates direction or purpose of an action.

Example

お父さんにプレゼントをあげます。

I will give a present to my father.

行け

ike

[ee-keh]

can go

The stem of 行ける, meaning to be able to go.

Example

ここから歩いて行けます。

You can walk there from here.

なく

naku

[naku]

not

Negative form indicator.

Example

今日は行けなくなった。

I can't go today.

て

[teh]

and; -te form

A linking form used to connect verbs to following grammar, such as progressive or polite forms.

Example

仕事を探している人と話しました。

I spoke with a person who is looking for work.

申し訳なかったです。

moushiwake nakatsu ta desu

I'm truly sorry.

A very polite past-tense apology. Say 'mo-shi-wa-ke na-kat-ta de-su', with a short stop at っ.

Example

連絡が遅れて申し訳なかったです。

I'm sorry for the late reply.

Words in this phrase

申し訳

moushiwake

[moh-shee-WAH-keh]

excuse; apology

Formal word for an excuse; used in very polite apologies.

Example

申し訳ありません。

I'm very sorry.

なかっ

nakatsu

[nak]

was not

Past tense negative copula used in casual context.

Example

行くつもりなかったんだ。

I didn't intend to go.

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.

です

desu

[dess]

is; polite copula

A polite sentence ending used in formal conversation.

Example

少し伺いたいです。

I would like to ask a little.

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered feedback on what you say out loud

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Lessons for Your Situation

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Get Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

“Teaching in Osaka and I wanted to connect with my students beyond the classroom. The everyday conversation made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.”

Mia S., 25, English Teacher

“I hop cities every few months and this is the only app that actually prepares me for living somewhere, not just visiting. Tokyo was the real test — passed with flying colors.”

James O., 28, Remote Worker

“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”

Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager