すまない・済まないsumanai[4]odaka (tail-high)

1. i-adjectiveinexcusable; unjustifiable; unpardonable
2. i-adjectivesorry; remorseful; apologetic; conscience-stricken; contrite
   待またせてすまなかったな。↗

   I am sorry to have kept you waiting.
3. interjectionexcuse me; (I'm) sorry; thank you
   すまないが今いま僕ぼく、手てがいっぱいなのだ。↗

   Excuse me, but I'm tied up now.

• Synonym申し訳ないもうしわけないFormalFormal. A stronger, more deferential apology than 「済まない」; when apologizing to clients or superiors, say 「申し訳ありません」 or 「申し訳ございません」.
• Antonym済むすむNeutralNeutral. Means a matter is finished or settled; it contrasts with 「済まない」 only in the sense of whether something is settled, and has nothing to do with apologizing.
• Antonym済んだNeutralNeutral. Means something is already settled; it contrasts with 「済まない」 only as settled vs. unsettled, and is not the opposite of the apology sense.

In casual male speech, use 「済まない」 to say sorry or that you feel bad, as in 「すまない」. For a formal apology use 「申し訳ありません」; in everyday situations say 「すみません」. When a matter is settled, use 「済む」.

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

1. 謝罪しゃざい、依頼いらい、感謝かんしゃの意いを表あらわすときに使用しようする語ご。