Understanding Apologies in Japanese

Hiroko explains the difference between using すみません and ごめんなさい in Japanese. すみません is more formal and used in public or business settings, while ごめんなさい is casual and used with friends and family. She provides examples to illustrate the appropriate contexts for each phrase, helping learners understand when to use them correctly.

What is the main question addressed in this lesson?

• When to use こんにちは or こんばんは?

• How to introduce yourself in Japanese?

• When to use すみません or ごめんなさい?

• How to say thank you in Japanese?

Which phrase is more formal and suitable for business settings?

• ごめんなさい

• こんにちは

• すみません

• ありがとう

What is the expression すみません derived from?

• すまない

• ありがとう

• こんにちは

• さようなら

Which phrase is more casual and used among friends?

• すみません

• ごめんなさい

• 申し訳ありません

• ありがとう

What is the even more casual version of ごめんなさい?

• ありがとう

• こんにちは

• ごめん

• すみません

If you break a cup at a cafe, which phrase is more commonly used to apologize to the waiter?

• ごめんなさい

• すみません

• ありがとう

• こんにちは

What would you say if you are late to meet a friend?

• 遅れてありがとう

• 遅れてごめんなさい

• 遅れてこんにちは

• 遅れてすみません

Which phrase might sound too formal among friends?

• ごめんなさい

• すみません

• ありがとう

• こんにちは