1.
truly; sincerely; most
Very formal adverb expressing sincere or heartfelt emphasis. Common in business apologies, thank-yous, and ceremonial speech.
誠にありがとうございます。
Thank you very much (sincerely).
誠に申し訳ございません。
I am truly sorry.
誠に勝手ながら、明日は休業とさせていただきます。
Most regrettably, we will be closed tomorrow.
Very formal adverb that heightens the sincerity of the following expression. Heard constantly in customer-service announcements, business emails, and ceremonial speech, but rare in casual conversation.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 誠にありがとうございます: thank you very much
- 誠に申し訳ございません / ありません: I am truly sorry
- 誠に恐縮ですが: I am extremely sorry to ask, but...
- 誠に残念ながら: most regrettably
- 誠に勝手ながら: most presumptuously (set phrase for business notices)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 本当に: really — neutral; all registers
- 実に: truly; indeed — formal/literary, more emphatic of feeling
- 大変: very; greatly — formal but less humble than 誠に