How to Say ‘I'm sorry!’ in Japanese
ごめんなあ！
gomen naa
[gomen nah-ah]
💬 Usage Tip: The [なあ] at the end stretches the feeling and makes the apology sound more heartfelt or emotional. In rough male speech, it can soften the line a bit even though the overall style is casual.
Phrase Breakdown
ごめん
gomen
[gomen]
sorry
An apology or expression of regret.
ごめんなあ、予定を忘れた。
Sorry, I forgot the schedule.
なあ
naa
[nah-ah]
-
Softens a statement or adds emphasis.
ごめんなあ、遅れた。
Sorry for being late.
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 speech recognition to perfect your accent
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Custom Scenarios
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
Get Full LessonWhat Learners Are Saying
“Teaching in Osaka and I wanted to connect with my students beyond the classroom. The everyday conversation scenarios made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.”
Mia S., 25, English Teacher
“Moved to Tokyo and the polite vs. casual speech levels were killing me. This app breaks it all down with real scenarios. My coworkers noticed the difference in weeks.”
Kevin Z., 31, Game Developer
“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