In this workshop you will practice apologizing sincerely in Japanese using formal expressions. You will learn to say you are very sorry, admit that something was your fault, and promise that it will not happen again. You will also hear a short workplace conversation between a department manager and a staff member. The manager asks what happened, and the staff member explains a serious mistake in a report. You will play both roles, first with support, then by choosing the correct reply, and finally by recalling the lines from memory. All native examples come from the recordings, so listen carefully and repeat aloud.
Saying Sorry and Taking Responsibility
A sincere apology in Japanese often has two parts: a strong sorry, then a clear statement of responsibility. The line «本当に申し訳ありません。» means 'I'm really sorry.' It is very formal and works for serious mistakes with a boss or a customer. The line «私の責任です。» means 'It was my fault' or 'It is my responsibility.' It clearly accepts blame. The line «私が間違っていました。» means 'I was wrong.' It admits a specific error. For this practice scene, use a calm, serious tone. Say each line slowly and clearly. If you are speaking to a superior, use the formal forms exactly as recorded. Practice «本当に申し訳ありません。» and «私の責任です。» together as one short apology. Then add «私が間違っていました。» to show you understand what you did wrong.
Promising Improvement
After you take responsibility, it is common to promise that the mistake will not happen again. The line «今後このようなことがないようにいたします。» means 'I will make sure this never happens again.' It is a formal promise and often comes at the end of an apology. In the recorded conversation, the staff member says «部長、本当に申し訳ありません。私が間違っていました。», which means 'Department manager, I'm really sorry. I was wrong.' The manager replies with «何があったのですか。», which means 'What happened?' The staff member then explains with «報告書に重大なミスがありました。私の責任です。今後このようなことがないようにいたします。», which means 'There was a serious mistake in the report. It was my fault. I will make sure this never happens again.' The manager answers with «分かりました。次は気をつけてください。», which means 'I understand. Please be careful next time.' Notice the order: apology, question, explanation with responsibility and promise, then the manager's response. Practice this order aloud.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
本当に申し訳ありません。
I'm really sorry.
Hontō ni mōshiwake arimasen.
私の責任です。
It was my fault. / It is my responsibility.
Watashi no sekinin desu.
私が間違っていました。
I was wrong.
Watashi ga machigatte imashita.
今後このようなことがないようにいたします。
I will make sure this never happens again.
Kongo kono yō na koto ga nai yō ni itashimasu.
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
部長、本当に申し訳ありません。私が間違っていました。
Department manager, I'm really sorry. I was wrong.何があったのですか。
What happened?報告書に重大なミスがありました。私の責任です。今後このようなことがないようにいたします。
There was a serious mistake in the report. It was my fault. I will make sure this never happens again.分かりました。次は気をつけてください。
I understand. Please be careful next time.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Apology Exchange
You are a staff member who made a serious mistake in a report. Your department manager is listening. Use the recorded lines to apologize in the correct order.
Your task: First, play the role of the staff member. Say the line «部長、本当に申し訳ありません。私が間違っていました。» aloud. Then imagine the manager asks the question from «何があったのですか。». Next, give the full explanation from «報告書に重大なミスがありました。私の責任です。今後このようなことがないようにいたします。». Finally, listen to the manager's reply in «分かりました。次は気をつけてください。» and repeat it. Then switch roles: you are the manager. Listen to «部長、本当に申し訳ありません。私が間違っていました。» and «報告書に重大なミスがありました。私の責任です。今後このようなことがないようにいたします。», and say «何があったのですか。» and «分かりました。次は気をつけてください。» at the right moments.
Choose the Right Reply
You will hear or read a line from the conversation. Choose the best reply from the recorded options. This checks whether you understand the role and the meaning.
Your task: Situation 1: A staff member says «部長、本当に申し訳ありません。私が間違っていました。». Which recorded reply fits: «何があったのですか。» or «分かりました。次は気をつけてください。»? Situation 2: The manager says «何があったのですか。». Which recorded line is the best answer: «報告書に重大なミスがありました。私の責任です。今後このようなことがないようにいたします。» or «本当に申し訳ありません。»? Situation 3: The staff member says «報告書に重大なミスがありました。私の責任です。今後このようなことがないようにいたします。». Which recorded reply fits: «分かりました。次は気をつけてください。» or «私が間違っていました。»? Say your choice aloud, then say the full line.
Recall the Apology from Memory
Now cover the text. You will recall the recorded lines and use them in the correct roles. This is the final speaking task.
Your task: First, say the staff member's opening apology from memory. It is the line «部長、本当に申し訳ありません。私が間違っていました。». Then say the manager's question from memory. It is the line «何があったのですか。». Next, say the staff member's full explanation from memory. It is the line «報告書に重大なミスがありました。私の責任です。今後このようなことがないようにいたします。». Finally, say the manager's closing reply from memory. It is the line «分かりました。次は気をつけてください。». After that, switch roles and do it again: you are the manager, and you say «何があったのですか。» and «分かりました。次は気をつけてください。» while imagining the staff member's lines.
Common questions
When should I use the very formal apology instead of a casual one?
Use the very formal apology when the mistake is serious or when you speak to a boss, a customer, or someone older. The recorded line «本当に申し訳ありません。» is a strong, sincere sorry for these situations. A casual apology is for small mistakes among friends. In this workshop, all lines are formal because the scene is a workplace mistake with a department manager.
Do I need to say all the apology lines every time?
Not always. A short apology can be just «本当に申し訳ありません。» or «私の責任です。». But for a serious mistake, it is good to add responsibility and a promise. In the recorded conversation, the staff member uses «部長、本当に申し訳ありません。私が間違っていました。» and «報告書に重大なミスがありました。私の責任です。今後このようなことがないようにいたします。» together. That gives a full apology: sorry, responsibility, and a promise to improve. Start with the full pattern, then shorten it when the situation is less serious.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: apologize for mistakeChecked September 2026
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