Sometimes, life can throw unexpected challenges our way, and we find ourselves unable to keep a commitment or attend an event we had planned to. In such situations, it’s essential to communicate your apology and explain your inability to make it. If you’re looking to express this in Japanese, this blog post will guide you on how to say, “I’m sorry, I can’t make it” and provide you with related phrases to handle such situations politely and effectively.
1. 行けなくてごめんなさい (Ikenakute gomen nasai)
- This is a straightforward and common way to say, “I’m sorry, I can’t make it” in Japanese. It shows your regret for not being able to attend. The pronunciation is “ee-keh-nah-koo-teh goh-mehn nah-sah-ee.”
2. 申し訳ありませんが、行けません (Moushiwake arimasen ga, ikemasen)
- This is a more formal and polite way to express your inability to attend an event or keep a commitment. It literally means, “I have no excuse, but I can’t go.” The pronunciation is “moh-shee-wah-keh ah-ree-mah-sehn gah, ee-keh-mah-sehn.”
3. すみません、行けないことになりました (Sumimasen, ikenai koto ni narimashita)
- This phrase conveys the message that you’re sorry and unable to make it due to unforeseen circumstances. The pronunciation is “soo-mee-mah-sehn, ee-keh-nah-ee koh-toh nee nah-ree-mah-shee-tah.”
4. 予定が変わってしまいました (Yotei ga kawatte shimaimashita)
- If your plans have unexpectedly changed, you can use this expression to explain your situation. It means, “My plans have changed.” The pronunciation is “yoh-teh-ee gah kah-wah-teh shee-mah-ee-mah-shee-tah.”
5. 今回は行けないことになりました (Konkai wa ikenai koto ni narimashita)
- This phrase specifies that you can’t make it for this particular occasion. It means, “I can’t make it this time.” The pronunciation is “kohn-kai wah ee-keh-nah-ee koh-toh nee nah-ree-mah-shee-tah.”
6. 申し訳ないですが、出席できません (Moushiwakenai desu ga, shusseki dekimasen)
- This is a polite way to express your regret and inability to attend. It means, “I have no excuse, but I cannot attend.” The pronunciation is “moh-shee-wah-keh-nah-ee desu ga, shoo-sheh-kee deh-kee-mah-sen.”
7. すまない、都合が悪くなりました (Sumanai, tsugou ga waruku narimashita)
- If you’re feeling more informal and want to convey your apologies, you can use this phrase, which means, “Sorry, my schedule has become inconvenient.” The pronunciation is “soo-mah-nah-ee, tsoo-goh gah wah-roo-koo nah-ree-mah-shee-tah.”
8. 都合がつかなくなりました (Tsugou ga tsukanaku narimashita)
- This phrase is suitable for explaining that your schedule or circumstances have changed, making it impossible for you to attend. It means, “I can’t make it due to a change in my schedule.” The pronunciation is “tsoo-goh gah tsoo-kah-nah-koo nah-ree-mah-shee-tah.”
9. 申し訳ございませんが、急用が入りました (Moushiwake gozaimasen ga, kyuuyou ga hairimashita)
- If you need to emphasize the urgency of your situation, you can use this phrase, which means, “I’m sorry, but I have an urgent matter.” The pronunciation is “moh-shee-wah-keh goh-za-ee-mah-sen ga, kyuoo-yoh gah hah-ee-ree-mah-shee-tah.”
10. 他の機会にお会いしましょう (Hoka no kikai ni oaimashou)
– This phrase is a polite way to express your desire to meet on another occasion. It means, “Let’s meet on another opportunity.” The pronunciation is “hoh-kah no kee-kai nee oh-ah-ee-mah-shoh.”
By using these phrases, you can gracefully communicate your inability to make it to an event or commitment while showing respect for the other person’s time and effort. Remember that sincerity and politeness are highly valued in Japanese culture, so always convey your apologies and reasons with respect and humility.
