Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Apology" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "apology", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
お詫び
おわび (owabi)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
あやまり
あやまり (ayamari)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "apology" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between お詫び and あやまり.
In Japanese, お詫び (おわび (owabi)) is typically associated with "apology (noun)" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents 「謝罪（しゃざい）」よりも日常的で、丁寧な謝る行為や言葉。動詞「お詫びする」としても使われます。A more polite and everyday term for apology than 「謝罪」. Also used as a verb with する.
On the other hand, あやまり (あやまり (ayamari)) maps to "Apology; mistake, error" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Can mean 'apology'. A literal translation of "apology" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "お詫び"
遅れてしまい、心からお詫び申し上げます。
I sincerely apologize for being late.
Bilingual Context for "あやまり"
彼の報告書には多くの誤りがあった。
There were many errors in his report.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "遅れてしまい、心から ＿＿＿ 申し上げます。" (Meaning: "I sincerely apologize for being late.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "お詫び" fits here because it means "apology (noun)" in the context of: "I sincerely apologize for being late.". "あやまり" represents "Apology; mistake, error".