~てすみません
I'm sorry for
Structure
Explanation
The grammar pattern てすみません is used to apologize for (A). A common translation is 'I'm sorry for (A)'. This structure utilizes the causal meaning of the て-form, which can indicate 'because of' or 'as a result of'. Let's examine some examples.
- 大事な書類を忘れてすみません。I'm sorry for forgetting the important documents.
- あなたの携帯を壊してすみません。I'm sorry for breaking your cell phone.
Sentences using the (A) て (B) structure often imply that the outcome (B) was an unintended consequence of the action (A). This grammar point originates from the verb 済む, which means 'to be concluded' or 'to be settled'. Its negative form, すみません, conveys the feeling of something being 'unsettled'. As a result, てすみません literally suggests 'because of (A), this matter is unresolved', which is much like the English concept of feeling indebted or that an obligation is unfulfilled.
- 部屋を汚してすみません。I am sorry for making the room messy. (It unfortunately resulted in the room being left in an unclean state)
While it is typically translated as 'I'm sorry', it may be more useful to think of this grammar pattern as a way of emphasizing the speaker's personal regret or sense of unresolved obligation regarding (A), and conveying this feeling to the person they are addressing.
Examples
お皿を割ってすみません。
I'm sorry for breaking the plate.
うるさくしてすみません。
I'm sorry for being so noisy.
あなたのペンをなくしてすみません。
I'm sorry for losing your pen.
昨日は、言い過ぎてすみませんでした。
I'm sorry for saying too much yesterday.
宿題をやらなくてすみません。
I'm sorry for not doing my homework.
会議に遅刻してすみません。
I'm sorry for being late for the meeting.
返事が遅くなってすみません。
I'm sorry for the late reply.
時間を間違えてすみませんでした。
I'm sorry for getting the time wrong.
もっと早く連絡できなくてすみません。
I'm sorry for not being able to contact you sooner.
大事な書類を汚してすみません。
I'm sorry for getting the important documents dirty.
電話に出られなくてすみませんでした。
I'm sorry I couldn't answer the phone.
こんなに散らかしてすみません。
I'm sorry for making such a mess.