Formal to Acquaintance
Cultural · Communication
この度はご迷惑をおかけして、誠に申し訳ございませんでした。 — I am truly and sincerely sorry for the inconvenience I have caused you. (Cultural · Communication, Formal to Acquaintance, JLPT N3)
You
この度はご迷惑をおかけして、誠に申し訳ございませんでした。
このたびは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でした。
I am truly and sincerely sorry for the inconvenience I have caused you.
Romaji: Konotabi wa gomeiwaku wo okake shite, makoto ni moushiwake gozaimasen deshita. / Reply Romaji: Kongo wa ki wo tsukete kudasai.
Reply
今後は気をつけてください。
こんごはきをつけてください。
Please be more careful going forward.
Gesture & etiquette
Bow deeply at 45 degrees; maintain the bow for a few seconds (longer than a normal greeting bow); avoid making excuses immediately after the apology — let the apology stand on its own before any explanation.
Japanese has a hierarchy of apologies: 'ごめんなさい' (casual), 'すみません' (neutral), '申し訳ございません' (formal/sincere) — using 'すみません' in a serious business apology context can seem insufficiently remorseful; always match the weight of the apology to the severity of the situation.