Structure
Verb[て]+ すみません
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Polite
About てすみません
てすみません is a grammar construction that expresses the speaker's regret about (A). It is often translated directly to 'I'm sorry for (A)'. As discussed in one of our previous lessons on て, we examined the 'since', or 'due to' meaning that it can have. Let's look at a few examples.
Phrases that use this particular (A) て (B) nuance of the て-form primarily express something that is beyond the control of the speaker in the (B) statement. Coming from the verb 済む (to finish), すみません (the negated form) means 'to be unfinished'. In this way, てすみません literally means that the speaker feels that something is 'unfinished due to (A)'. This is very similar to phrases like 'having unfinished business' in English.
Although the translation is 'I'm sorry', perhaps it would be easier to remember this grammar structure as highlighting someone's regret/unfinished feelings about (A), and simply showing that to the person that is being apologized to.
Examples
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あなたのケーキを食べてすみません。
I'm sorry for eating your cake.
遅くなってすみません。
I am sorry that I am late.
約束を破ってすみません。
I'm sorry for breaking my promise.
怒ってすみません。怒りたくなかった。
I'm sorry for getting angry. I didn't want to be angry.
喋りすぎてすみません。
I'm sorry for talking too much.
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How to apologize in Japanese
MaggieSensei
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Genki II 1st Edition
Page 80
Genki II 2nd Edition
Page 106
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てすみません – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (14 in total)
Paulkun
deltacat3
結婚式なのにこの格好で行ってすみません。
I’m sorry for going dressed this way, since it is a wedding.What is the なのに expressing here?
Also is this the same で as the one that marks means/instruments?
Daru
It’s basically saying ‘in spite of…’ in this case, ‘in spite of this being a wedding’ in a literal sense.
Yes! It’s basically expressing ‘sorry I came with this look’.
Putting the...
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