One of the remarkable aspects of Japanese language is how many ways there are to apologize. Apologies are different depending on the severity of your offense and your relationship with the offended.

1. Sumimasen

Sumimasen is one of the most common words in spoken Japanese. It's often used as a mild apology. If you bump into someone on the subway use

2. Shitsurei

can be translated "I am rude". It's an informal and mild apology. If you need to reach for something at the dinner table say

3. Shikkei

has the same meaning as shitsurei. It's primarily used by Salarymen . Young people don't use it. The first time you say it you'll know you've joined the salary man club.

4. Shitsureishimashita

is the formal past tense version of shitsurei. In Japanese, the past tense often sounds more formal.

It can be translated "I was rude". Say it when you spill your drink on the table in a social situation.

5. Gomen

is a very informal apology that you should only use with close friends and family. It's slang for gomenasai (short form). Say gomen when you're 5 minutes late meeting a friend.

6. Gomen ne

can be loosely translated "I'm sorry okay?". It sounds girly . Say gomen ne when you're 5 minutes late meeting your girlfriends for afternoon tea.

7. Gomenasai

is formal familiar. That means it sounds formal but you can only use it with people you have a close relationship with. In other words, don't try gomenasai on your boss. Use it when you boyfriend or girlfriend is mad at you.

8. Sumimasen deshita

is the past tense of sumimasen. Use this one to apologize to your boss when you were caught sleeping in the park during work hours

9. Moushiwake gozaimasen deshita

is a polite formal apology you should only use if you've done something very wrong. It might be used by the president of a company that has released a defective product.

10. Moushiwake arimasen deshita

This one is even more polite. Use this to apology after your company releases a very dangerous defective product.

11. Makoto ni moushiwake gozaimasen deshita

This phrase is mostly used by dishonoured samurai and ninja. Use this when you've fallen in love with the shogun's daughter.