This is a very polite way to say sorry. You use it when you cause a problem or make a mistake.
申し訳ありませんPrimary
申し訳ありませんでした
This is a very polite way to say sorry. You use it when you cause a problem or make a mistake.
ご連絡が遅くなり、大変申し訳ありません。
I am very sorry for the delay in contacting you.
先日の会議での私の発言に誤りがありました。誠に申し訳ありませんでした。
There was an error in my statement during the meeting the other day. I am sincerely sorry.
申し訳ありませんが、その商品は現在在庫切れです。
I'm sorry, but that product is currently out of stock.
お客様、お待たせして申し訳ありません。すぐにご案内いたします。
Ma'am/Sir, I apologize for the wait. I will show you to your seat right away.
ご期待に沿えず、申し訳ありません。
I am sorry that I could not meet your expectations.
This phrase means you have no good reason for what happened. You take full blame. It shows you are truly sorry.
This is a formal apology. It is not as polite as "moushiwake gozaimasen". That one is for very important people. "Sumimasen" is for small mistakes.
Watch out: Do not use this for small things. For example, if you bump into someone, use "sumimasen." "Moushiwake arimasen" is too strong for small mistakes. It can sound fake if you use it too much.
Use this when you need to say something difficult. It is like saying "I'm sorry, but..." in English. It makes your words sound softer.
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