A repair can reset the tone when your words sound too casual or unexpectedly stiff.

The idea

Consider the relationship and setting. With a teacher, acknowledge a slip with すみません and restate a request using いただけますか. With a friend, a simple ごめん and a plain form may fit better; ask before changing the tone.

Examples

  • すみません、言いい直なおします。ちょっと待まっていただけますか。Sorry, I meant to say: could you wait a moment?
  • すみません、くだけた言いい方かたでした。これを見みていただけますか。Sorry, that was too casual. Could you look at this?
  • 申もうし訳わけありません。明日あした、お送おくりします。Please accept my apologies. I will send it tomorrow.
  • ごめん、ちょっと堅かたかったね。普通ふつうに話はなしてもいい？Sorry, that sounded rather stiff. Is it okay if I speak casually?
  • ありがとう！家いえに着ついたら教おしえてね。Thanks! Let me know when you get home.
  • すみません、もう一ひとつ質問しつもんしてもよろしいでしょうか。Excuse me, may I ask one more question?

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

Polite forms do not guarantee that a request is appropriate: timing and burden matter too. Do not assume every friend wants casual speech or that every workplace needs the same level of formality.

Try it yourself

  1. （先生せんせいに）「待まって」→「すみません、待まって＿＿か。」（いただけます／くれる）

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    いただけます

    いただけます completes the polite request 待っていただけますか.

  2. （友達ともだちに）「申もうし訳わけありません」→「＿＿、遅おくれた！」（ごめん／恐おそれ入いります）

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    ごめん

    ごめん is a natural casual apology to a close friend.

  3. （上司じょうしに）「明日あした、送おくる」→「明日あした、お＿＿します。」

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    送り

    送り is the stem of 送る; お送りします politely describes your own action.

Use it today

After speaking too casually to a teacher, correct your request. Then try softening an overly formal apology to a close friend.