How to Say ‘I'm very sorry.’ in Japanese
申し訳ありません。
moushiwake ari mase n
[moh-shee-WAH-keh ah-ree mah-seh n]
🇯🇵 In Japan: This is a much more formal apology than すみません. Staff use it before turning you down, so when you hear it, a "no" is usually coming.
Phrase Breakdown
申し訳
moushiwake
[moh-shee-WAH-keh]
excuse; apology
Formal word for an excuse; used in very polite apologies.
申し訳ありません。
I'm very sorry.
あり
ari
[ah-ree]
exist; have
Stem of あります, used for existence or possession of non-living things.
はい、あります。
Yes, I have it.
ませ
mase
[mah-seh]
polite negative (part of ません)
「ませ」 is part of 「ません」, the polite negative form.
はいていません。
I haven’t vomited.
ん
n
[n]
(negative ending, from ません)
The final sound of the polite negative ending ません.
時間がありません。
I don't have time.
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