How to Apologize in Japanese

Video Transcript

"It is true that Japanese people say "Sorry" a lot. I did it, too. So here are two important words you need to know, especially going to Japan. The first word is "I'm sorry": Gomen Nasai. Repeat after me: gomen nasai. Sounds good. Be careful with those two "n"s right here, try to separate them. The first word "gomen" is sorry. And "nasai" adds politeness to it. Gomen nasai. Sounds good. Second one is "Excuse me". Sumimasen. Sounds good. Now we use "I'm sorry" or "excuse me" - gomen nasai, sumimasen - instead of "Thank you", because we think the other person did all the trouble for you; therefore you want to apologize to them. But actually means thank you. For example, you give me a gift, I will say, "Domo sumimasen". "Domo" is "Oh..." and '"sumimasen" is "sorry/excuse me". Those two words are very reversible. It can be sorry/excuse me. So instead of "thank you", you might hear those words."