申(もう)し訳(わけ)ない

もうしわけない
i-adjective
sorry; inexcusable; I apologize
communication
Conjugation
AffirmativeNegative
Present申(もう)し訳(わけ)ない申(もう)し訳(わけ)なくない
Past申(もう)し訳(わけ)なかった申(もう)し訳(わけ)なくなかった
て form申(もう)し訳(わけ)なくて申(もう)し訳(わけ)なくなくて
Adverbial申(もう)し訳(わけ)なく—
Conditional ば申(もう)し訳(わけ)なければ申(もう)し訳(わけ)なくなければ
Conditional たら申(もう)し訳(わけ)なかったら申(もう)し訳(わけ)なくなかったら
1. sorry; I apologize; inexcusable
A formal expression of apology that literally means 'there is no excuse.' Used to convey sincere remorse or regret for causing inconvenience or trouble to someone.
申(もう)し訳(わけ)ないです。
I'm sorry.
ご迷惑(めいわく)をおかけして申(もう)し訳(わけ)ありません。
I'm sorry for the inconvenience.
遅(おく)れてしまい、本当(ほんとう)に申(もう)し訳(わけ)なく思(おも)っております。
I am truly sorry for being late.

One of the most important apologetic expressions in Japanese, more formal than すみません and much more formal than ごめん. Literally means "there is no excuse" — the speaker acknowledges there is nothing they can say to justify what happened.

Forms

Common patterns

  • ～して申(もう)し訳(わけ)ない: sorry for doing ~
  • ～で申(もう)し訳(わけ)ない: sorry about ~

Similar words

  • すみません: general-purpose apology, lighter and more versatile
  • ごめんなさい: casual apology to someone of equal or lower status
  • 恐(おそ)れ入(い)ります: humble expression closer to "I'm afraid" or "excuse me" than a direct apology

Usage

Also written 申(もう)し訳(わけ)ない as one compound. Often used in business settings and customer service. Can also be used as a set phrase when declining something: 申(もう)し訳(わけ)ありませんが... (I'm sorry, but...).

Related Words

Compare: 恐(おそ)れ入(い)ります (humble expression closer to "I'm…)
Compare: 気(き)の毒(どく) (pitiful, unfortunate, regrettable)
Compare: 恐縮(きょうしゅく)する (to feel obliged)
Compare: ごめんなさい (casual apology to someone of equal…)
Compare: 恐(おそ)れ入(い)る (humble expression closer to "I'm…)
general
Added 2026.3.29 20:03 · Revised 2026.10.9 15:23
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