Hello everyone!
Today, I’d like to talk about how Japanese people use the words “sumimasen” and “gomen nasai.” These are two common Japanese expressions often translated as “I’m sorry,” but they can have other meanings depending on the situation.
Have you ever talked with a Japanese friend who’s been living in Japan for a long time?
Maybe you’ve thought, “Wow, Japanese people apologize a lot!”
When I lived abroad for the first time, people often told me, “You don’t need to apologize so much!” I’ve even heard comments like “Japanese people are always saying sorry.”
It’s true that apologizing is a common part of Japanese culture—but I think there’s more to it. Let’s take a closer look at the situations where Japanese people use sumimasen or gomen nasai.
1. When Apologizing
Both sumimasen and gomen nasai are used to say sorry, for example:
- When you’ve done something wrong
- When you’ve made a mistake
2. Like “Excuse Me” in English
Sumimasen is also used to mean “Excuse me” in daily situations, such as:
- When you want to get someone’s attention
(In this case, sumimasen is more common than gomen nasai) - When you want to pass in front of or behind someone
(Sumimasen is usually used, but gomen nasai can work too)
3. As a Way to Say “Thank You”
Interestingly, sumimasen can also be used to express gratitude, especially when speaking to someone older than you or to someone you don’t know well.
For example:
- When someone gives you a gift
- When someone helps you with something
In these cases, even though you’re thankful, you might say sumimasen instead of a direct thank you.
A Cultural Misunderstanding
When I first started speaking English, I assumed that sumimasen always translated to “sorry.”
So I would often say sorry even when the situation called for excuse me or thank you.
That’s probably why I was sometimes told, “Stop apologizing so much!” by people from other countries.
I often thought, “But I’m not apologizing—I’m just being polite!”
Final Thought
So next time you’re speaking with a Japanese person and they say sumimasen, keep in mind—it might not mean “I’m sorry.”
It could actually mean “Excuse me” or even “Thank you!”
Understanding these cultural nuances can help avoid confusion and deepen your appreciation of Japanese communication. Thanks for reading!
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