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Apologising with すみませんでした

If you would like to apologise for something you have done in the past, then the phrase to use is すみませんでした. Understandably, this phrase is in the polite form, to convey that you are actually sorry.

Apologising for Something You Have Done​

When apologising for something you have done, conjugate the verb to its te-form, and then add すみませんでした.

Apologising for Something You Have Failed to Do​

If you have failed to do something, conjugate the verb to its nai-form (negative plain form). Cut the last い of the nai-form and then add くて. Then add すみませんでした.

Other Ways to Say Sorry​

If you are making a less formal apology, ごめんなさい or ごめん can be used instead of すみませんでした.

If you want to make a really formal apology, use 申し訳ありませんでした which translates to 'I'm sincerely sorry; please forgive me'. This apology is not used in casual speech.

Example Sentences​

  • 遅れてすみませんでした。
    Sorry for being late.

  • パーティに参加できなくてすみませんでした。
    I'm sorry that I could not attend to the party.

  • あんなこと言ってごめん。
    I'm sorry for saying such a thing.