Comments:

1. 

    

   rani:

   Hi Keiko san,

   I have a question. When a son/daughter apologies for his terribly wrong action, is it okay to say “honto ni sumimasendeshita” or should he/she say “moushiwake arimasendeshita” to his parents?

   And when someone bow to ask for forgiveness in Japanese way, what the action is called? Is it owabi?

   Thank you.

   Cheers
   Rani

   • 

      

     keiko:

     @rani Hi Rani,

     Well, when children apologize to their parents, normally, they would simply say, “Gomen nasai”. This is sufficient unless children are apologizing to their “in_laws”, then they might say, “Honto ni sumimasendeshita” or “moushiwake arimasendeshita” just like you mentioned. These two expressions are pretty formal in that you normally don’t use them within your direct family.

     And yes, this action itself is called “Owabi”.

     Hope this helps!

     Keiko

2. 

    

   Carmen Lee:

   It’s was very useful,thank you!^^

3. 

    

   erika:

   what phrase should i say if i make my friend feel terrible until now for what i have done but not intentionally to hurt him. please do help me

   • 

      

     keiko:

     @erika Hi Erika,

     Thanks for posting your question. I would say,
     “konna omoini saseru tsumori nakatta no. gomen ne” (こんな　思いにさせるつもりなかったの。ごめんね。こんな　思いにさせるつもりなかったの。ごめんね。)

     I hope things will work out between you and your friend.

     Keiko

4. 

    

   13Reaper:

   Does “Honto ni gomen ne tomo no tame ni.” mean “I am really sorry for my friend.”?

   • 

      

     keiko:

     @13Reaper Hi!

     Well, yes it does literally mean just like you translated, but it sounds like this is part of the context?

     Keiko

5. 

    

   Jorge:

   I love Japanese language I wish I could learn it

   • 

      

     keiko:

     @Jorge Hi Jorge,

     You can always start learning Japanese anytime! Never too late to start! Trust me! 🙂

     Keiko

6. 

    

   richard joaquim:

   Just like your native language, you’ll still be learning it on the day you die, even if you live to be 90. — Unless you just want to dabble in it, like most do.

7. 

    

   Kara:

   I wanted to learn Japanese language but there’s no one to teach me I only read thing through the internet or watching anime. I’m really interested in Japan

   • 

      

     keiko:

     @Kara Hi Kara,

     Thank you for your comment. I am glad to hear that you are interested in learning Japanese. Japanese might sound hard to learn at first but there are many ways you can learn even though you don’t have someone to each you. Taking advantage of online resources is one way to learn Japanese. Hopefully you can revisit here to learn some more!

     Thanks,
     Keiko

8. 

    

   Nannon:

   Hello,

   I am currently watching a 90’s tv show from Georgia Public Broadcasting Network GPB

   Its called Irasshai. It teaches from beginners to intermediate. Its very repetative so I know loads more than I did 20 episodes ago. There are over 120 lessons at 30 mins each.

   http://www.gpb.org/irasshai/japanese-i

   🙂

   • 

      

     keiko:

     @Nannon Hi Nannon,

     This site looks like a great place to learn some Japanese expressions. Thank you for sharing!

     Keiko

9. 

    

   Zenshi:

   Wow, this helps a lot for learning the basic apologetic sentences in Japanese. Great!

10. 

     

    Anne Lee:

    Can we use “Sumimasen” to apologize?

11. 

     

    Glydel:

    I want to learn Japanese language 🙂 Can you teach me? I want to know how to say these words in japanese ” I will forgive you but please learn your lesson. “

    • 

       

      keiko:

      @Glydel Hi Glydel,

      Thank you for your comment. I am happy to hear you are into learning Japanese. I will forgive you but please learn your lesson.” will be something like, ” Konkai wa yurusukedo, kondo kara wa kio tsuketene. (今回は　許すけど、今度からは気を付けてね。こんかいは　ゆるすけど　こんどからは　きをつけてね。)

      Hope this helps!

      Keiko

12. 

     

    Glydel:

    Arigato 🙂 Thank you for the responce .

13. 

     

    Zaina:

    When someone sayas Gomen Nasai.. how do i reply it. If ia want to say “its ok..”

    • 

       

      keiko:

      @Zaina Hi Zaina,

      If you want to say, “it’s ok”, I would say, “Iiyo Daijo bu (いいよ、だいじょうぶ、大丈夫)”. Hope this helps!

      Keiko

14. 

     

    Liyu:

    Hi I am learning Japanese And how do you say I am sorry just any one.