ごめんなさい

• Reading: ごめんなさい
• Romaji: gomennasai
• Kanji breakdown: 御 (go) — honorific prefix; 免 (men) — exemption, pardon
• Pronunciation: /ɡo.meɴ.na.sa.i/

Meaning

I'm sorry; my apologies; excuse me. A standard expression for apologizing.

A polite apology used in everyday situations. The casual form is ごめん or ごめんね. More serious or formal apologies use すみません or 申し訳ございません instead. Appropriate for minor mistakes, bumping into someone, or causing small inconveniences.

Examples

1. 遅くなってごめんなさい。 I'm sorry for being late.
2. ごめんなさい、それは私のせいです。 I'm sorry, that was my fault.
3. コーヒーをこぼしてごめんなさい。 I'm sorry for spilling the coffee.

Usage Guide

Context: apologies, daily life, social situations

Tone: apologetic

Origin & History

From 御免 (gomen), meaning 'pardon' or 'forgiveness,' with the polite なさい suffix. The kanji 御免 literally means 'honorable exemption.'

Cultural Context

Era: Medieval

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal