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Exercise 6: Apologies

 

Making Your Expression of Apology Stronger

What Goes with What?

 

Apology expressions

 

 

Intensifiers

ごめんなさい

gomennasai

すみませんsumimasen

申し訳

ありませんmoushiwake arimasen

失礼しました shitsurei shimashita

本当にhontouni

J

J

J

J

どうもdoumo

X

J

J

J

大変

taihen*

X

X

J

J

誠にmakotoni**

X

X

J

J

J --- A good match

X  --- Normally not a good match

 

*  大変Taihen is a polite intensifier, so it is likely to go with more polite apology expressions such as申し訳ありませんmoushiwake arimasen and失礼しましたshitsurei shimashita.

** 誠にMakotoni is a very polite intensifier that is often used in a business setting.

 

 
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