“sorry” in Japanese: ごめん (gomen)

How to say “sorry” in Japanese

“Sorry” in Japanese is ごめん (gomen). ごめん can also mean “I'm sorry”.

Marks a casual apology for a mistake or inconvenience and can also serve as a gentle way to interrupt someone.

宿題を忘れてごめん。明日は持ってきます。shuku dai o wasu re te go me n asu wa mo tte ki ma su

Sorry for forgetting my homework. I will bring it tomorrow.

電話に出られなくて、ごめんと伝えました。den wa ni de ra re na ku te go me n to tsuta e ma shi ta

I said I was sorry for not answering the phone.

In everyday speech, ごめん (gomen) is casual, while すみません (sumimasen) is commonly chosen when greater politeness is needed.