Kumi logo
    Kumi

    Learn Japanese. Where understanding folds into fluency.

    Dictionary

    KanjiKanji vocabularyKana vocabularyKanaRadicalsGrammarJLPT N5

    Learn

    GuidesStart where you areWhat is KMT?RoadmapFAQ

    Connect

    EmailDiscordInstagramThreadsTikTokYouTubeLinkedInBlueskyX

    Newsletter

    Start learning free →

    Free forever tier. No card required.

    © 2026 Kumiai Inc. All rights reserved.

    AboutFAQContactStatusPrivacyTermsAttributions
    Dictionary
    1. Dictionary
    2. Grammar
    3. 失礼いたしました

    失礼いたしました

    失礼いたしました

    This is a polite way to say "I am sorry." You use it when you make a small mistake. You also use it if you are a little rude or interrupt someone. It is for formal times, like at work.

    N3KMT4HumbleStandardVerb ConstructionMixedFormal ApologyGrammar

    失礼いたしましたPrimary
    失礼いたします

    This is a polite way to say "I am sorry." You use it when you make a small mistake. You also use it if you are a little rude or interrupt someone. It is for formal times, like at work.

    先さきほどは大たい変へん失しつ礼れいいたしました。会かい議ぎ中ちゅうに私し用ようの電でん話わに出でてしまい、申もうし訳わけありません。

    I am very sorry for my rudeness earlier. I apologize for taking a personal call during the meeting.

    HumblePastAffirmativeSentence EndingDeclarativeWork & Career
    お名な前まえを間ま違ちがえるとは、大たい変へん失しつ礼れいいたしました。

    It was very rude of me to get your name wrong. My sincerest apologies.

    HumblePastAffirmativeSentence EndingDeclarativeBusiness & Finance
    これにて本ほん日じつの業ぎょう務むを終しゅう了りょういたします。皆みな様さま、お先さきに失しつ礼れいいたします。

    This concludes today's work. Everyone, please excuse me for leaving first.

    HumbleNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingDeclarativeWork & Career
    失しつ礼れいいたします。A社しゃの鈴すず木き様さまがお見みえになりました。

    Excuse me. Mr. Suzuki from Company A has arrived.

    HumbleNon PastAffirmativeClause InitialDeclarativeBusiness & Finance
    メールの添てん付ぷファイルを忘わすれてしまいました。重かさね重がさね失しつ礼れいいたしました。

    I forgot the attachment in the email. I sincerely apologize for the repeated discourtesy.

    HumblePastAffirmativeSentence EndingDeclarativeInternet & Social MediaWork & Career

    This phrase is like saying 'My bad!' It is about *your* mistake. It is not about the trouble you caused someone else.

    This phrase is for small mistakes. If you cause big trouble, use a stronger apology. This phrase uses a humble form, so it is more polite than 失礼しました.

    Don't use this when you want to say you were NOT rude. For example, don't say "I was not rude."

    Use this when you want to be polite. It helps you move smoothly in social settings. Use it when you enter or leave a room. Use it when you interrupt someone. Use it when you end a phone call.

    Often confused with(1)

    ご迷惑をおかけしました

    You say this to apologize. You caused someone trouble. Or you made things difficult for them.

    Less formal alternatives(1)

    申し訳ございません

    This means "I am very sorry." You use it when you cause problems for someone. It is a very polite way to apologize.

    ます形

    This is a polite verb ending. You use it to show respect. It is the basic way to speak politely in Japanese.

    失礼ですが

    You say this before asking something personal. It means "Excuse me, but..." or "This might be rude, but..." It makes your question sound softer.

    た形

    This shows an action finished in the past. It also shows something that was true before now.

    Kumi logo

    Track your mastery

    Kumi's KMT system tracks your mastery across kanji, vocabulary, grammar, and reading. Create a free account to use it on 220,000+ concepts.

    Related concepts for this entry

    less_formal_than

    • 申し訳ございません

    often_confused_with

    • ご迷惑をおかけしました

    prerequisite

    • ます形
    • 失礼ですが
    • た形

    Explore more

    Grammar dictionary›Browse all entries›