How to say "apologize" in Japanese

Choosing the right word

謝るあやまるJLPT N4approx.Common
godan verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbThe everyday, all-purpose verb for the plain sense of saying sorry for a mistake or fault; what you use when directly apologizing to a friend, colleague, or acquaintance.
私は彼女かのじょに謝あやまらなければならない。↗
I must make an apology to her.
詫びるわびるJLPT N2approx.Common
ichidan verb, transitive verbAlso means to apologize or make an apology, but with a distinctly formal tone; it suits weighty, official expressions of regret, such as a business apologizing to its customers.
その男おとこは私の足あしを踏ふんだのにわびることさえしなかった。↗
The man did not so much as apologize for stepping on my foot.

Both mean to apologize: use 「謝る」 for everyday apologies of any size, and 「詫びる」 for formal, weightier apologies, as in business or official settings.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese equivalents

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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