When someone apologizes in Japanese, a short reply can close the matter and help everyone move on. In this workshop you will hear and use several ready-made phrases. You will first learn what each recorded line means, then practice choosing a reply, understanding a reply, and recalling the correct role. You can play both roles with the audio, but there is no automatic assessment, so use the answer checks to guide yourself.
What the recorded lines mean
Listen to each line and read the English meaning before you speak. «大丈夫です。» is a polite, very common way to say that something is fine. «気にしないでください。» is a polite request meaning please do not worry about it. «謝ってくれてありがとう。» is casual but sincere and means thank you for apologizing. «もう大丈夫ですよ。» adds a sense that the matter is already settled and you can move on. In the short dialogue, one speaker says «あ、すみません。遅れました。» and the other replies with «大丈夫ですよ。気にしないでください。». Later the first speaker says «本当にすみません。次から気をつけます。» and the other answers with «はい、もう大丈夫ですよ。ありがとう。». Notice how the reply accepts the apology and reassures the person.
Choosing polite or casual
Use the polite forms when you speak with someone you do not know well, at work, or in a service situation. «大丈夫です。» and «気にしないでください。» are safe polite choices. «もう大丈夫ですよ。» is also polite and adds a warm, closing tone. The casual form «謝ってくれてありがとう。» fits friends or close colleagues. If you are the person who made a mistake, you can still use these lines when someone apologizes to you. The goal is not to judge the mistake but to show that you accept the apology and that the relationship is fine.
How to practice with the audio
Play one recorded line, pause, and repeat it aloud. Then imagine a simple scene. For example, a coworker arrives late and says «あ、すみません。遅れました。». You can reply with «大丈夫です。» or «気にしないでください。». If the person apologizes again with «本当にすみません。次から気をつけます。», you can close the exchange with «もう大丈夫ですよ。» or «はい、もう大丈夫ですよ。ありがとう。». Keep your tone calm and friendly. You do not need to add new words. Using a recorded line exactly as it is helps you build fluency and confidence.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
大丈夫です。
It's okay. / It's fine.
daijōbu desu
気にしないでください。
Please don't worry about it.
ki ni shinaide kudasai
謝ってくれてありがとう。
Thank you for apologizing.
ayamatte kurete arigatō
もう大丈夫ですよ。
It's already okay. / We're good now.
mō daijōbu desu yo
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
あ、すみません。遅れました。
Oh, I'm sorry. I was late.大丈夫ですよ。気にしないでください。
It's okay. Please don't worry about it.本当にすみません。次から気をつけます。
I'm really sorry. I'll be careful next time.はい、もう大丈夫ですよ。ありがとう。
Yes, it's already okay. Thank you.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided exchange: accept a late arrival
Imagine a coworker arrives late to a meeting and says «あ、すみません。遅れました。». You are the person who stayed and waited. You want to accept the apology politely.
Your task: Say a polite reply from the recordings that tells the coworker not to worry. Then say a second polite line that shows the matter is closed.
Reply comprehension: choose the right response
You hear someone say «本当にすみません。次から気をつけます。». They are apologizing again and promising to be careful next time. You want to accept the apology and thank them.
Your task: Choose the recorded line that best fits this moment. Then say it aloud. Finally, explain in English why the other polite options are also possible but less exact here.
Recall with correct roles
Two people are in a short scene. One person apologizes for being late. The other accepts the apology. You will play both roles, but you must use the correct recorded lines for each role.
Your task: First, play the person who apologizes. Say the line for the first apology. Then switch roles and give a polite reply. Next, play the person who apologizes again with the second apology line. Finally, switch back and close the scene with a line that shows the matter is settled.
Common questions
Can I use these phrases with anyone?
The polite lines «大丈夫です。», «気にしないでください。», and «もう大丈夫ですよ。» are safe in many situations, including work and with people you do not know well. The casual line «謝ってくれてありがとう。» is better with friends or close colleagues. When you are unsure, choose a polite line.
What if the other person keeps apologizing?
You can repeat a calm, polite line such as «もう大丈夫ですよ。» to show that the matter is already settled. If the person apologizes again with «本当にすみません。次から気をつけます。», you can answer with «はい、もう大丈夫ですよ。ありがとう。» to accept the apology and thank them. Keep your tone warm and do not add new words.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: accept apologyChecked September 2026
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Take today's Japanese into a conversation with a Yapr AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr