謝(あやま)る

あやまる
verb (godan)
to apologize
1. to apologize, to say sorry
To express regret for having done something wrong. Involves acknowledging a mistake and asking for forgiveness.
彼(かれ)に謝(あやま)りました。
I apologized to him.
Use に for the person you apologize to
遅(おく)れてすみません。謝(あやま)ります。
Sorry for being late. I apologize.
間違(まちが)いがあったら、すぐに謝(あやま)ったほうがいい。
If you make a mistake, it's better to apologize right away.
謝(あやま)ったほうがいい = should apologize

TRANSITIVITY: 自動詞(じどうし) (intransitive). No transitive pair. Pattern: Xに謝(あやま)る (apologize to X).

ASPECT: ている indicates resulting state or repeated action. 謝(あやま)っている = 'has apologized' (resulting state) or 'keeps apologizing.'

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 人(ひと)に謝(あやま)る (apologize to someone)
  • 心(こころ)から謝(あやま)る (apologize sincerely)
  • 素直(すなお)に謝(あやま)る (apologize honestly/obediently)
  • 間違(まちが)いを謝(あやま)る (apologize for a mistake)

HOMOPHONE: Don't confuse with 誤(あやま)る (to make an error), which uses different kanji. 謝(あやま)る = apologize, 誤(あやま)る = err.

REGISTER: Neutral. In very formal situations, お詫(わ)びする is more appropriate.

general
Added 2026.1.8 19:50 · Revised 2026.3.6 9:35
01000/01177_ayamaru