Welche Redewendungen für Entschuldigungen sind in Japan üblich

In Japan are typically used various polite and humble expressions for apologizing. Common phrases include:

• Sumimasen (すみません) — a polite expression meaning “excuse me” or “sorry,” often used for minor inconveniences.
• Gomen nasai (ごめんなさい) — a more direct apology, meaning “I’m sorry,” used for more sincere apologies.
• Shitsurei shimasu (失礼します) — literally “I will be rude,” used apologetically when interrupting or leaving.
• Moushiwake arimasen (申し訳ありません) — a very formal, humble apology meaning “I have no excuse.”
• Osore irimasu (恐れ入ります) — an expression showing humility and apology.
• Chotto matte kudasai (ちょっと待ってください) — “Please wait a moment,” often a polite way to apologize for a delay.

These phrases are often used with a bow or other gestures to express respect and sincerity in apologies, reflecting the cultural emphasis on politeness and humility in Japanese society. ^{1, 3}

Verweise

• A corpus-assisted analysis of indexical signs for (im)politeness in Japanese apology-like behaviour

• Japanese Idiom Learning through Cognitive Linguistics Concept (Idioms Presentation)

• Analysis of the Regret Speech Act in Japanese

• Japanese Slang on The Nihongo Mantappu Youtube Channel (Morphosemantic Study)