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: 

  1. Look at the situation. 
  2.  Think about what you would say using the pattern above.
  3. Click on the "+" button to reveal the answer. 
  4. 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! 😀

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