In any language, it’s important to be able to express apologies when you unintentionally offend or hurt someone. In Japanese, politeness and sincerity in apologies are highly valued. In this blog post, we’ll guide you on how to say “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend” in Japanese, along with related phrases to help you apologize sincerely and effectively.
1. 謝ります、意図しなかったです (Ayamarimasu, ito shinakatta desu)
- This is a straightforward and polite way to apologize for unintentionally causing offense. It means “I apologize; I didn’t intend to do so.” The pronunciation is “ah-yah-mah-ree-mah-soo, ee-toh shee-nah-kah-tah desu.”
2. 申し訳ありません、気をつけませんでした (Moushiwake arimasen, ki o tsukemasen deshita)
- This is a formal expression of apology, emphasizing that you didn’t pay attention to avoid causing offense. It means “I have no excuse; I didn’t pay attention.” The pronunciation is “moh-shee-wah-keh ah-ree-mah-sehn, kee oh tsu-keh-mah-sehn desh-tah.”
3. 怒らせるつもりはありませんでした (Okoraseru tsumori wa arimasen deshita)
- Use this phrase to express that you didn’t intend to make someone angry or offended. It means “I didn’t have the intention to anger.” The pronunciation is “oh-koh-rah-seh-roo tsoo-moh-ree wah ah-ree-mah-sen desh-tah.”
4. 怒らせるつもりではありませんでした (Okoraseru tsumori dewa arimasen deshita)
- This expression is similar to the previous one and emphasizes your lack of intention to offend. It means “I didn’t have the intention to make you angry.” The pronunciation is “oh-koh-rah-seh-roo tsoo-moh-ree deh-wah ah-ree-mah-sen desh-tah.”
5. 不快な気持ちを与えたくありませんでした (Fukaina kimochi o ataetakuarimasen deshita)
- If you want to convey that you didn’t want to cause any discomfort, you can use this phrase. It means “I didn’t want to give you an unpleasant feeling.” The pronunciation is “foo-kah-ee-nah kee-moh-chee o ah-tah-eh-tah-koo-ah-ree-mah-sen desh-tah.”
6. 意図せずに不快な思いをさせてしまいました (Ito-sezu ni fukaina omoi o sasete shimaimashita)
- This phrase conveys that you inadvertently caused someone to feel uncomfortable. It means “I unintentionally made you feel uncomfortable.” The pronunciation is “ee-toh-seh-zoo nee foo-kah-ee-nah oh-moh-ee o sah-seh-teh shee-mah-ee-mah-shee-tah.”
7. 誤解させてしまいました、申し訳ございません (Gokaisasete shimaimashita, moushiwake gozaimasen)
- Use this expression when you realize that you caused a misunderstanding and want to apologize sincerely. It means “I unintentionally caused a misunderstanding; I have no excuse.” The pronunciation is “goh-kai-sah-seh-teh shee-mah-ee-mah-shee-tah, moh-shee-wah-keh goh-za-ee-mah-sen.”
8. 気をつけるべきでした、謝ります (Ki o tsukeru beki deshita, ayamarimasu)
- This phrase emphasizes that you should have been more careful and apologizes for not doing so. It means “I should have been more careful; I apologize.” The pronunciation is “kee oh tsu-keh-roo beh-kee desh-tah, ah-yah-mah-ree-mah-soo.”
9. 誤解を招いてしまい、申し訳ありません (Gokai o maneite shimai, moushiwake arimasen)
- Use this expression when you realize that your actions led to a misunderstanding and you want to apologize. It means “I inadvertently caused a misunderstanding; I have no excuse.” The pronunciation is “goh-kah-ee oh mah-neh-ee-teh shee-mah-ee, moh-shee-wah-keh ah-ree-mah-sehn.”
10. 言葉が適切ではありませんでした、お詫び申し上げます (Kotoba ga tekisetsu dewa arimasen deshita, owabi moushiagemasu)
– If your words were not appropriate and caused offense, use this expression to apologize formally. It means “My words were not appropriate
These phrases will help you apologize sincerely and politely in Japanese when you unintentionally offend someone or cause discomfort. It’s important to convey your regret and willingness to make amends in a culturally sensitive way.
