How to Say ‘I'm sorry.’ in Japanese
ごめんなさいね。
gomen nasai ne
[gomen nah-SAH-ee ne]
💬 Usage Tip: The added ね softens the apology and invites agreement, making it feel warm rather than formal.
Phrase Breakdown
ごめん
gomen
[gomen]
sorry
An informal way to apologize.
ごめん、本当に。
Sorry, really.
なさい
nasai
[nah-SAH-ee]
polite ending (in ごめんなさい)
Polite imperative ending; with ごめん it forms the standard apology 'I'm sorry'.
遅れてごめんなさい。
Sorry for being late.
ね
ne
[ne]
isn't it; right
A sentence-ending particle used to seek agreement or add a friendly tone.
深煎りですね。
It’s a dark roast, right?
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