How to say "apology" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 申し訳もうしわけnoun, suru verbCovers the sense of an apology as an excuse offered with remorse, as in being sorry for an inconvenience caused. The full word is typically 申し訳ありません, a common everyday apology.
- 謝罪しゃざいnoun, suru verb, transitive verbThe apology itself, often formal or public, such as an official apology for wrongdoing. It treats the apology as an act or event rather than a spoken expression of personal regret.
- 詫びわびnounAn apology with a tone of earnest contrition, usually appearing in expressions of humble, sincere regret rather than in casual conversation. It is less often the standalone word for an everyday apology.
- 陳謝ちんしゃnoun, suru verb, transitive verbA formal, written-style word for an apology, as in a public statement expressing apology. It belongs to stiff official or business language and is rarely the word you want in ordinary speech.
- お詫びおわびnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbA polite, often slightly formal apology for trouble or inconvenience, as when a company apologizes to customers. It emphasizes courteous acknowledgment of fault and asking forgiveness.
Choose 「申し訳」 or 「お詫び」 for everyday personal apologies, 謝罪 for formal or public ones, 陳謝 for very formal written statements, and 「詫び」 mainly in fixed expressions of contrition.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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