Formal to Client
Cultural · Communication
誠に申し訳ございませんでした。 — I am truly and deeply sorry. (Cultural · Communication, Formal to Client, JLPT N3)
You
誠に申し訳ございませんでした。
まことにもうしわけございませんでした。
I am truly and deeply sorry.
Romaji: Makoto ni moushiwake gozaimasen deshita. / Reply Romaji: Ie, daijobu desu yo. Kore kara ni kitai shimasu.
Reply
いえ、大丈夫ですよ。これからに期待します。
いえ、だいじょうぶですよ。これからにきたいします。
No, it's alright. I look forward to what comes next.
Gesture & etiquette
A deep bow of 30-45 degrees is expected — the more serious the error, the deeper the bow. In business contexts, this is often done standing. Maintain the bow until the other party verbally acknowledges the apology.
「申し訳ございません」is the most formal apology in Japanese — used when a serious mistake has been made or someone has been significantly inconvenienced. 「誠に」(truly/sincerely) amplifies the sincerity. Unlike English apologies, repeating and elaborating on the apology is expected — a single 'sorry' can feel insufficient.