The Vocabulary of Apology

Sumimasen (済みません): excuse me, I am sorry. It is the polite form of sumanai, which comes from sumu, to be finished or settled.

Mōshiwake nai (申し訳ない): I am very sorry. Mōshiwake means one’s case or explanation. With nai, it means there is nothing to say in one’s defense.

Owabi mōshiagemasu (お詫び申し上げます): I humbly offer my apology. The form used in formal written and public apologies.

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