Japanese word

恐れ入る

Pronunciation

Romajiosoreiru

Meaning

  • verbbe sorry

Example

お手数をおかけして恐れ入ります。o te sū o o ka ke shi te oso re i ri ma su

I am sorry to trouble you.

Illustration for 恐れ入る (be sorry)

More examples

恐れ入りますが、もう一度お名前をお願いします。oso re i ri ma su ga mō ichi do o na mae o o nega i shi ma su

I'm sorry, but could you tell me your name once more?

Core concept

Places the speaker in a humble position before another person, often because the speaker has caused trouble or received consideration.

Common phrases

  • 恐れ入りますがoso re i ri ma su ga

    I'm sorry, but

Similar words

謝るayamaru: To express regret for causing trouble or making a mistake.
詫びるwabiru: To make a formal apology for an offense or inconvenience.
恐縮するkyōshukusuru: To feel humbled or obliged by another person's kindness or effort.

Definition in Japanese

相手に迷惑をかけたことを申し訳なく思い、恐縮する。ai te ni mei waku o ka ke ta ko to o mō shi wake na ku omo i kyō shuku su ru

Word origin

The native Japanese compound 恐れ入る (osoreiru) combines 恐れ (osore, "fear or awe") with 入る (iru, "enter"); its older sense of being awed develops into feeling humbled or apologetic.

Usage tips

  • The polite form 恐れ入ります (osoreirimasu) often introduces a request, where it softens the interruption rather than stating fear.

Other meanings

  • beg your pardonverb
  • feel humbledverb

Word lists with this word