Formal to Superior
Cultural · Communication
大変ご迷惑をおかけして、誠に申し訳ございません。 — I sincerely apologize for causing you such inconvenience. (Cultural · Communication, Formal to Superior, JLPT N2)
You
大変ご迷惑をおかけして、誠に申し訳ございません。
たいへんごめいわくをおかけして、まことにもうしわけございません。
I sincerely apologize for causing you such inconvenience.
Romaji: Taihen go-meiwaku wo o-kake shite, makoto ni mōshiwake gozaimasen. / Reply Romaji: Jijō wa rikai shimashita. Kongo ki wo tsukete kudasai.
Reply
事情は理解しました。今後気をつけてください。
じじょうはりかいしました。こんごきをつけてください。
I understand the circumstances. Please be more careful going forward.
Gesture & etiquette
Bow deeply — at least 45 degrees — while delivering this apology. Maintain the bow for a full 2-3 seconds before straightening. Keep your expression serious and composed throughout. Do not look away during the bow; look down respectfully.
Japan's highest-register formal apology. 'Mōshiwake gozaimasen' is stronger than 'sumimasen' and signals deep accountability. Follow with a clear explanation of what went wrong and concrete steps to prevent recurrence — Japanese apology culture expects both acknowledgment and corrective action.