Japanese for Beginners: Accepting an Apology Gracefully
Learn to respond to apologies in Japanese with phrases like 'No problem' or 'It's okay'. This lesson focuses on the receiver's response, not making apologies.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
When someone apologizes to you in Japanese, knowing how to respond politely is essential. This lesson teaches you common phrases to accept an apology gracefully, such as 'No problem' or 'It's okay'. You'll learn when to use each phrase and how to sound natural in everyday conversations. We'll focus on the receiver's role, so you can reply appropriately whether the apology is for being late, a small mistake, or a bigger inconvenience.
By the end, you can…
- respond to an apology with phrases like 'No problem' or 'It's okay'.
- choose the right level of politeness for different situations.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
大丈夫です。
It's okay. / No problem.
Daijōbu desu.
A versatile and polite response to an apology. Suitable for most everyday situations, from casual to moderately formal.
気にしないでください。
Please don't worry about it.
Ki ni shinaide kudasai.
Polite and reassuring. Use when you want to tell someone not to worry about a minor mistake.
全然大丈夫です。
It's totally fine.
Zenzen daijōbu desu.
Emphasizes that there's no problem at all. Use in casual or polite conversation to be extra reassuring. Note: in formal writing, 全然 is traditionally used with negatives, but in everyday speech 全然大丈夫です is very common.
問題ありません。
No problem.
Mondai arimasen.
Formal and businesslike. Appropriate for professional settings or when speaking to superiors.
いいですよ。
It's fine. / That's okay.
Ii desu yo.
Casual and friendly. Use with friends or people of equal or lower status. The particle 'yo' adds a reassuring tone.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
A common pattern for accepting an apology is to use '大丈夫です' (daijōbu desu) or its variations. For example, if someone says '遅れてごめん' (okurete gomen - sorry I'm late), you can reply '大丈夫だよ' (daijōbu da yo - it's okay) in casual speech. To make it more polite, say '大丈夫です' (daijōbu desu). You can also add '全然大丈夫です' (zenzen daijōbu desu) to emphasize that it's completely fine. Another pattern is '気にしないで' (ki ni shinaide - don't worry) in casual form, or '気にしないでください' (ki ni shinaide kudasai) in polite form. These patterns are easy to adapt by changing the ending.
When to use it
Choose your response based on the situation and relationship. For minor apologies like being a few minutes late, '大丈夫です' (daijōbu desu) is perfect. If someone apologizes for a small mistake, '気にしないでください' (ki ni shinaide kudasai) is warm and reassuring. In business settings, '問題ありません' (mondai arimasen) is safe and professional. With close friends, you can use casual forms like '大丈夫だよ' (daijōbu da yo) or 'いいよ' (ii yo). Avoid using overly casual responses with superiors or in formal contexts, as it may seem rude. When in doubt, '大丈夫です' is a safe choice.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
遅れてごめん。
Sorry I'm late.Okurete gomen.全然大丈夫だよ。
It's totally fine.Zenzen daijōbu da yo.本当にごめんね。
I'm really sorry.Hontō ni gomen ne.気にしないで。
Don't worry about it.Ki ni shinaide.A little context goes a long way
In Japanese, accepting an apology often involves reassuring the other person to maintain harmony. Using a polite phrase like '大丈夫です' shows consideration. However, if the apology is for a serious matter, a simple '大丈夫です' might seem dismissive. In such cases, it's better to acknowledge the apology more formally, for example, 'ご連絡ありがとうございます。大丈夫です。' (Thank you for contacting me. It's okay.) This shows you appreciate their apology while still accepting it.
One thing to watch for
Using 'いいですよ' in a formal business setting.
Try this instead: 'いいですよ' is casual and can sound too friendly or even condescending to a superior. Instead, use '問題ありません' (mondai arimasen) or '大丈夫です' (daijōbu desu). For example, if a colleague apologizes for a mistake, say '問題ありません。' rather than 'いいですよ。'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1Your friend says '遅れてごめん' (Sorry I'm late). What is a casual way to say 'No problem'?
Show a sample answer
全然大丈夫だよ。
'全然大丈夫だよ' is casual and friendly, suitable for friends. You could also say '大丈夫だよ' or '気にしないで'. All are acceptable in casual situations.
2Your boss apologizes for a minor error. What is a polite response?
Show a sample answer
問題ありません。
'問題ありません' is formal and appropriate for business settings. '大丈夫です' is also acceptable, but '問題ありません' is more professional.
3How do you say 'Please don't worry about it' politely?
Show a sample answer
気にしないでください。
'気にしないでください' is a polite and reassuring phrase. In casual speech, you can drop 'ください' to say '気にしないで'.
Responding to an apology in Japanese is about reassurance. Use '大丈夫です' as a safe default, and adjust politeness based on the situation. Remember that a warm response helps maintain good relationships.
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