✅ Learn natural expressions for apologies and gratitude
✅ Practice phrases that are polite and frequently used in daily life
✅ Subtitles in 12 languages make learning smooth and accessible
In this episode, we focus on two of the most common and essential expressions in Japanese: saying sorry and saying thank you. These short but powerful phrases form the foundation of polite communication, and mastering their tone and context will greatly improve your fluency in everyday interactions.
Key Expressions and Meanings
These expressions are indispensable in both formal and casual Japanese. They convey respect, humility, and appreciation — core values in Japanese culture.
Multilingual Translations (12 Languages)
Expression 1
すいません..
| Language | Translation |
|---|---|
| Japanese | すいません.. |
| English (US) | Sorry… / Excuse me… |
| English (UK) | Sorry… / Excuse me… |
| Korean | 죄송합니다 / 실례합니다 |
| French | Excusez-moi / Désolé |
| German | Entschuldigung |
| Spanish | Perdón / Disculpe |
| Portuguese (BR) | Desculpe / Com licença |
| Hindi | माफ़ कीजिए |
| Indonesian | Maaf / Permisi |
| Vietnamese | Xin lỗi |
| Thai | ขอโทษครับ/ค่ะ |
Meaning & Usage
「すいません」 is one of the most versatile expressions in Japanese. It can mean “I’m sorry,” “Excuse me,” or even “Thank you” depending on context and tone. It is slightly casual compared to 「すみません」 but still polite and widely accepted. Used when:
- Apologizing for small mistakes
- Politely getting someone’s attention
- Showing gratitude (like “thanks, sorry for the trouble”)
Example Sentences
- 電車の中で：すいません、席いいですか？
– Excuse me, is this seat free? - 店員に：すいません、これいくらですか？
– Excuse me, how much is this? - 友達に：昨日は遅れてすいません。
– Sorry I was late yesterday.
Expression 2
ありがとうございます
| Language | Translation |
|---|---|
| Japanese | ありがとうございます |
| English (US) | Thank you |
| English (UK) | Thank you |
| Korean | 감사합니다 |
| French | Merci beaucoup |
| German | Vielen Dank |
| Spanish | Muchas gracias |
| Portuguese (BR) | Muito obrigado |
| Hindi | धन्यवाद |
| Indonesian | Terima kasih |
| Vietnamese | Cảm ơn |
| Thai | ขอบคุณครับ/ค่ะ |
Meaning & Usage
「ありがとうございます」 is the standard polite way to say “thank you.” It is more formal than 「ありがとう」 and is suitable for most situations, including shops, workplaces, or speaking to strangers. To make it even more polite, you can say 「本当にありがとうございます」 (Thank you very much) or 「どうもありがとうございます」.
Example Sentences
- 店員に：ありがとうございます。またお越しくださいませ。
– Thank you very much. Please come again. - 友達に：手伝ってくれてありがとうございます。
– Thank you for helping me. - 職場で：本日はご参加いただき、誠にありがとうございます。
– Thank you sincerely for joining us today.
Final Note
This episode highlighted two of the most essential expressions in Japanese: apologizing with 「すいません」 and expressing gratitude with 「ありがとうございます」. Their power lies not only in the words themselves but in the tone and body language. A bow, a smile, or a soft voice can change the nuance completely.
If you master these phrases and use them naturally, you’ll leave a strong impression of politeness and respect in any situation.