Japanese for Public Apologies: Saying 'I Want to Apologize to Everyone'
Learn intermediate Japanese phrases for apologizing sincerely in front of a group, including how public apologies differ from private ones in tone and wording.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
Apologizing to one person in Japanese is one skill; apologizing in front of a group is another. When you say you want to apologize to everyone, you are not only expressing regret but also acknowledging that others witnessed or were affected by the situation. This lesson focuses on the natural Japanese used for public apologies, such as みなさんに謝りたいことがあります (minasan ni ayamaritai koto ga arimasu). You will learn how to open a public apology, how to state your intention, and how to sound sincere without overpromising. The key difference from a private apology is that you address the group as a whole, often using みなさん (minasan) and polite forms like 〜たいと思います (〜tai to omoimasu) to show humility and control.
By the end, you can…
- state that I want to apologize to everyone in a natural, sincere way.
- open a public apology and explain briefly why I am speaking in front of the group.
- distinguish between a private apology and a public apology in Japanese.
- use polite forms like 〜たいと思います and 〜させていただきます appropriately.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
みなさんに謝りたいことがあります。
I have something I want to apologize to everyone about.
mi-na-san ni a-ya-ma-ri-tai ko-to ga a-ri-ma-su.
A clear, direct opener for a public apology. Use it when you are about to address a group and want to signal that an apology is coming.
この場を借りて、みなさんにお詫び申し上げます。
Taking this opportunity, I sincerely apologize to everyone.
ko-no ba o ka-ri-te, mi-na-san ni o-wa-bi mo-o-shi-a-ge-ma-su
Very formal and humble. Suitable for workplace or formal settings where you apologize to a group. お詫び申し上げます is a set humble expression.
私のせいで、みなさんにご迷惑をおかけしました。
Because of me, I caused trouble for everyone.
wa-ta-shi no se-i de, mi-na-san ni go-me-e-wa-ku o o-ka-ke-shi-ma-shi-ta
States the impact on the group. ご迷惑をおかけしました is a standard apology phrase for causing inconvenience.
本当に申し訳ありませんでした。
I am truly sorry.
hon-to-o ni mo-o-shi-wa-ke a-ri-ma-sen de-shi-ta
A sincere, strong apology. In public apologies, this often follows the explanation of what happened.
これからは気をつけます。
I will be careful from now on.
ko-re-ka-ra wa ki o tsu-ke-ma-su.
A commitment to change. Use it to show you are not just apologizing but also promising to improve.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern みなさんに〜たいと思います (minasan ni 〜tai to omoimasu) softens a direct desire into a polite intention. For example, みなさんに謝りたいと思います (minasan ni ayamaritai to omoimasu) means 'I would like to apologize to everyone.' Adding と思います makes it less blunt and more appropriate for public speech. You can also use 〜させていただきます (〜sasete itadakimasu) for a very humble 'I will do 〜' when you have permission or are taking an action in front of others: この場で謝らせていただきます (kono ba de ayamarasete itadakimasu) means 'I will apologize here.'
When to use it
Use public apology language when more than one person is affected or when you are speaking as a representative. In a private apology, you might say ごめんね (gomen ne) to a friend, but in front of a group, みなさんに申し訳ありません (minasan ni mōshiwake arimasen) is safer. If you are at work, start with この度は (kono tabi wa) to mark the specific occasion, then state the apology. For a less formal group, such as friends, みんなに謝りたい (minna ni ayamaritai) is acceptable. Match the formality to the group: みなさん for polite, みんな for casual.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
みなさん、お集まりいただきありがとうございます。今日はみなさんに謝りたいことがあります。
Everyone, thank you for gathering. Today I have something I want to apologize to you all about.mi-na-san, o-a-tsu-ma-ri i-ta-da-ki a-ri-ga-to-o go-za-i-ma-su. kyo-o wa mi-na-san ni a-ya-ma-ri-tai ko-to ga a-ri-ma-su.何があったんですか。
What happened?na-ni ga at-ta-n desu ka.私のミスで、みなさんにご迷惑をおかけしました。本当に申し訳ありませんでした。
Due to my mistake, I caused trouble for everyone. I am truly sorry.wa-ta-shi no mi-su de, mi-na-san ni go-me-e-wa-ku o o-ka-ke-shi-ma-shi-ta. hon-to-o ni mo-o-shi-wa-ke a-ri-ma-sen de-shi-ta.わかりました。次から気をつけてください。
I understand. Please be careful from now on.wa-ka-ri-ma-shi-ta. tsu-gi ka-ra ki o tsu-ke-te ku-da-sa-i.A little context goes a long way
In Japanese public apologies, sincerity is often shown through humility and a clear statement of responsibility rather than emotional intensity. Using humble forms like 申し訳ありません (mōshiwake arimasen) and お詫び申し上げます (owabi mōshiagemasu) signals respect for the group. Avoid casual ごめん (gomen) in formal public settings; it can sound too light. Also, a public apology often includes a brief explanation and a promise to prevent recurrence, not just an expression of regret.
One thing to watch for
Using ごめんね (gomen ne) when apologizing to a group at work or in a formal setting.
Try this instead: Use みなさんに申し訳ありません (minasan ni mōshiwake arimasen) or お詫び申し上げます (owabi mōshiagemasu). For example, この度はみなさんにご迷惑をおかけし、申し訳ありません (kono tabi wa minasan ni gomeiwaku o okake shi, mōshiwake arimasen) is appropriate for a workplace public apology.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you say 'I want to apologize to everyone' politely in Japanese?
Show a sample answer
みなさんに謝りたいと思います。
This uses みなさんに (to everyone) and 謝りたいと思います (I would like to apologize). Adding と思います makes it polite and suitable for public speech. みなさんに謝りたいです is also acceptable but slightly more direct.
2Which phrase is more appropriate for a formal public apology: ごめん or 申し訳ありません?
Show a sample answer
申し訳ありません。
申し訳ありません is a polite, humble apology suitable for formal or group settings. ごめん is casual and better for close friends or family. In a public apology, 申し訳ありません shows proper respect.
3What does この場を借りて mean in a public apology?
Show a sample answer
It means 'taking this opportunity' or 'using this occasion.'
この場を借りて (kono ba o karite) is a set phrase that introduces a formal statement or apology in front of others. It signals that you are using the public setting to say something important, often followed by お詫び申し上げます.
For a sincere public apology in Japanese, open with みなさんに謝りたいことがあります, state the impact with ご迷惑をおかけしました, and close with 申し訳ありませんでした and a promise like これからは気をつけます.
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