An apology acknowledges a mistake; the words you choose depend on the person and the occasion.
The idea
ごめん is casual, especially with close friends. ごめんなさい is an apology, while すみません is a polite, useful choice with a teacher or stranger. For an earlier incident, すみませんでした refers back to what happened.
| Expression | Context |
|---|---|
| ごめん | 親しい友達 |
| すみません | 先生 |
| すみませんでした | 昨日のこと |
Examples
- ごめん、遅れたよ。Sorry I am late.
- すみません、遅れました。Sorry I am late.
- ごめんなさい、忘れました。Sorry, I forgot.
- すみません、忘れました。Sorry, I forgot.
- 昨日はごめんなさい。I am sorry about yesterday.
- 昨日はすみませんでした。I am sorry about yesterday.
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Watch out
すみません can also get attention or express thanks for trouble, depending on context. A serious mistake may need a fuller apology and action, not just a set phrase.
Try it yourself
親しい友達に、ふつうの話し方で謝ります。（ごめん／すみません）
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ごめん
ごめん is the casual apology requested for a close friend.
先生に丁寧に謝ります。（ごめん／すみません）
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すみません
すみません is a polite choice for apologising to a teacher.
昨日のことを先生に謝ります。（すみませんでした／おはようございます）
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すみませんでした
すみませんでした naturally refers back to the earlier incident.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
親しい友達に、ふつうの話し方で謝ります。（ごめん／すみません）
先生に丁寧に謝ります。（ごめん／すみません）
昨日のことを先生に謝ります。（すみませんでした／おはようございます）
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
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Imagine arriving late to meet a friend and then a teacher. Apologise to each, and add a brief explanation of what happened.