In this workshop you will practice expressing regret and apologizing in Japanese. You will hear native speakers use phrases for regret, apology, and offers to make amends. You will also practice responding to an apology and asking for a specific action. Each native example is provided through a recording reference. Listen carefully, repeat aloud, and use the tasks to build confidence. You can play both roles, but there is no automatic assessment, so check your own answers using the success criteria.
Understanding Regret and Apology
When you want to say you feel bad about something you did not do, you can use a phrase that means you regret not doing it. For example, «言わなかったことを後悔しています。» means you feel sorry that you did not tell someone. A stronger apology is «本当に申し訳ありません。», which shows deep sincerity. If you want to offer to fix the situation, you can say «埋め合わせをさせてください。», meaning you ask to make up for it. And if you promise not to repeat the mistake, you can say «二度とこのようなことはしません。», which means you will never do it again. These four lines are useful in many situations, such as when you have kept a secret or missed a chance to speak. Practice saying each one aloud, paying attention to the polite tone.
A Conversation About a Project
Now listen to a short dialogue. Speaker A says «この前のプロジェクトの件、君に言わなかったことを後悔している。», which means they regret not telling the other person about the project the other day. Speaker B responds with «そうか…正直、ショックだったよ。でも、後悔しているなら聞くよ。», showing they were shocked but are willing to listen because A regrets it. Then A says «本当に申し訳ない。埋め合わせをさせてほしい。何か手伝えることはある？», a sincere apology and an offer to help. Finally, B says «わかった。じゃあ、次のミーティングの資料を一緒に作ってくれる？», accepting the apology and asking A to make materials for the next meeting together. Notice how the conversation moves from regret to apology to a concrete request. This shows how you can repair a relationship in Japanese by acknowledging fault and offering action.
Responding to an Apology
When someone apologizes to you, you can respond in different ways. In the dialogue, B says «そうか…正直、ショックだったよ。でも、後悔しているなら聞くよ。», which means they were shocked but will listen because the other person regrets it. This is a balanced response: it does not ignore the hurt, but it leaves room for repair. Later, B says «わかった。じゃあ、次のミーティングの資料を一緒に作ってくれる？», which accepts the apology and suggests a specific way to make things better. You can use similar patterns when you are the one receiving an apology. Practice saying these lines with a calm, serious tone. Remember that in Japanese, showing that you take the apology seriously is important.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
言わなかったことを後悔しています。
I regret not telling you.
Iwanakatta koto o kōkai shite imasu.
本当に申し訳ありません。
I am truly sorry.
Hontō ni mōshiwake arimasen.
埋め合わせをさせてください。
Please let me make it up to you.
Umeawase o sasete kudasai.
二度とこのようなことはしません。
I will never do this again.
Nido to kono yō na koto wa shimasen.
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
この前のプロジェクトの件、君に言わなかったことを後悔している。
About the project the other day, I regret not telling you.そうか…正直、ショックだったよ。でも、後悔しているなら聞くよ。
I see... Honestly, I was shocked. But if you regret it, I'll listen.本当に申し訳ない。埋め合わせをさせてほしい。何か手伝えることはある？
I'm truly sorry. I want to make it up to you. Is there anything I can help with?わかった。じゃあ、次のミーティングの資料を一緒に作ってくれる？
Understood. Then, will you make the materials for the next meeting with me?Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Exchange: Apologize and Offer to Make Up
Imagine you forgot to tell a friend about an important project. You want to apologize and offer to help. Use the recordings to guide your speaking.
Your task: First, say the line for regretting not telling someone: «言わなかったことを後悔しています。». Then say the line for a sincere apology: «本当に申し訳ありません。». Next, offer to make up for it: «埋め合わせをさせてください。». Finally, promise not to repeat the mistake: «二度とこのようなことはしません。». Say each line aloud clearly.
Reply Comprehension: Choose the Right Response
You will hear a short dialogue. Speaker A expresses regret and apologizes. Speaker B responds. Your job is to understand B's response and choose what it means.
Your task: Listen to the dialogue: A says «この前のプロジェクトの件、君に言わなかったことを後悔している。», then B says «そうか…正直、ショックだったよ。でも、後悔しているなら聞くよ。». After listening, answer these questions: Did B accept the apology immediately? What did B say about their feelings? Then listen to A's next line «本当に申し訳ない。埋め合わせをさせてほしい。何か手伝えることはある？» and B's final line «わかった。じゃあ、次のミーティングの資料を一緒に作ってくれる？». What does B ask A to do? Say your answers aloud in English.
Recall and Role-Play: Apology and Request
Work with a partner or imagine both roles. One person is A, who needs to apologize about a project. The other is B, who was shocked but is willing to listen.
Your task: Without looking at the lines, role-play the conversation. A should start with a line about regretting not telling about the project. B should respond with a line about being shocked but willing to listen. A should then apologize sincerely and offer help. B should accept and ask for a specific action. Use the recordings as a model, but try to recall the lines from memory.
Common questions
What is the difference between «言わなかったことを後悔しています。» and «本当に申し訳ありません。»?
«言わなかったことを後悔しています。» expresses regret about not doing something, like not telling someone. «本当に申し訳ありません。» is a direct, sincere apology for a mistake. You can use «言わなかったことを後悔しています。» when you feel bad about an omission, and «本当に申し訳ありません。» when you want to apologize clearly for what happened.
How can I respond when someone apologizes to me in Japanese?
You can use «そうか…正直、ショックだったよ。でも、後悔しているなら聞くよ。» to show you were shocked but are willing to listen because the other person regrets it. If you want to accept the apology and suggest a way to make things better, you can use «わかった。じゃあ、次のミーティングの資料を一緒に作ってくれる？», which asks the person to do a specific task with you. This shows you are giving them a chance to repair the situation.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: express regretChecked September 2026
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