How to apologize to someone sincerely

You made a mistake and you want to say I'm very very very very Sorry!! 😫 But what can you say? Here are some simple patterns you can use!

Step 1

Be specific about what you are sorry about.
(You can add "so" to make it more serious)

______してごめんなさい

(So) sorry for + 動詞-ing

Step 2

Tell them what you regret.

______するべきだった

I should've + 動詞 (過去分詞)

Step 3

Tell them what you will do for them in the future.

次は＿＿＿＿ようにするね

I promise to + 動詞 + next time

Practice Examples

Time to practice with life situations! Here's how to do it:

Look at the situation.
Think about what you would say using the pattern above.
Click on the "+" button to reveal the answer.
Learn 😄

Of course this is not the only way to apologize. There are many more ways to do so. This is just a simple guide to get you started!

Situation 1

You arrived late for a meeting.

(So) sorry for + 動詞-ing

(So) sorry for being late.

I should've + 動詞 (過去分詞)

I should've come earlier.

I promise to + 動詞 + next time

I promise to be early next time.
I promise not to be late next time.

Situation 2

You shouted at your partner. You regret and feel sorry.

Shout = 怒鳴る

(So) sorry for + 動詞-ing

(So) sorry for shouting at you just now.

I should've + 動詞 (過去分詞)

I should've stayed calm.

stay calm = 落ち着く

I promise to + 動詞 + next time

I promise to be more patient next time.

be patient = 我慢する

Situation 3

You caused your boss a lot of trouble because you were careless.

careless = 不注意 // careful = 注意

(So) sorry for + 動詞-ing

Sorry for causing you so much trouble.

"So sorry for causing you so much trouble. "
👆This is too dramatic 😆 Too many "so"!

I should've + 動詞 (過去分詞)

I should've been more careful.

I promise to + 動詞 + next time

I promise to be more careful next time.

Situation 4

You were too busy with work. So you didn't spend much time with your partner.

(So) sorry for + 動詞-ing

Sorry for being so busy recently.

"So sorry for being so busy. "
👆This is too dramatic 😆 Too many "so"!

I should've + 動詞 (過去分詞)

I should've made more time for us.

I promise to + 動詞 + next time

I promise to spend more time with you, okay?

Situation 5

You couldn't make it to your friend's party yesterday.

make it to _____ = go to _____

(So) sorry for + 動詞-ing

(So) sorry for missing your party yesterday.

miss an event = failed to go to an event

I should've + 動詞 (過去分詞)

I should've made time for it.

I promise to + 動詞 + next time

I promise to prioritize it next time!

prioritize something = ____優先する

Situation 6

You lied to your friend.

(So) sorry for + 動詞-ing

(So) sorry for lying to you.

I should've + 動詞 (過去分詞)

I should've told you the truth.

I promise to + 動詞 + next time

I promise not to lie to you again.
I promise to be honest with you next time.

Situation 7

You hid a secret from your partner. He/ she found out and feels betrayed.

to find out = to know the truth

(So) sorry for + 動詞-ing

(So) sorry for hiding this from you.

I should've + 動詞 (過去分詞)

I should've told you everything.

I promise to + 動詞 + next time

I promise to be honest with you next time.

Situation 8

You accidentally stepped on a stranger's foot.

(So) sorry for + 動詞-ing

(So) sorry for stepping on your foot.

I should've + 動詞 (過去分詞)

I should've been more careful.

I promise to + 動詞 + next time

~~I promise to be more careful next time.~~

You won't see the stranger again. So this is irrelevant.

Situation 9

You were super late. Your friend waited for you for one hour. 😨

(So) sorry for + 動詞-ing

(So) sorry to keep you waiting.**

**set phrase (決まり文句)

I should've + 動詞 (過去分詞)

I should've come earlier.

I promise to + 動詞 + next time

I promise to be punctual next time.

be punctual = 時間を守る

If you have other situations, please leave them in the comments! I will add it to the post! 😀

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Practice Examples

Situation 1

Situation 2

Situation 3

Situation 4

Situation 5

Situation 6

Situation 7

Situation 8

Situation 9

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