B1 Expression Muy formal

どうかご容赦ください

Douka goyousha kudasai

Please forgive me

Phrase in 30 Seconds

A highly polite way to ask for forgiveness or understanding when you cannot meet an expectation.

  • Means: Please kindly forgive/excuse me.
  • Used in: Business emails, formal apologies, or when declining a request.
  • Don't confuse: It is not for casual 'oops' moments; use 'gomen' for friends.
Deep bow + professional email = {どうかご容赦ください|どうかごようしゃください}

Explanation at your level:

This is a very polite way to say 'sorry'. You use it when you make a big mistake at work. It is only for formal situations.
This phrase is used to ask for forgiveness in professional settings. It is more formal than 'sumimasen'. You use it when you cannot do what someone asked you to do.
This expression is a formal request for understanding or pardon. It is typically used in business correspondence when you have failed to meet an expectation or caused an inconvenience. It carries a high level of humility and is essential for maintaining professional relationships in Japan.
As an intermediate-to-advanced learner, you should recognize this as a 'cushioning' phrase. It is used to mitigate the impact of negative news or personal failure. By invoking the concept of 'yousha' (pardon), the speaker acknowledges the recipient's authority to judge the situation, thereby showing deep respect for the hierarchy.
This phrase exemplifies the Japanese 'keigo' system's function in social repair. It is a strategic linguistic tool used to navigate 'tatemae' (public face). By using this, the speaker performs a ritualized act of submission, which is critical in high-context communication where the preservation of 'wa' (harmony) is paramount. It is not merely an apology; it is a request for the restoration of the status quo.
The phrase functions as a performative utterance within the framework of Japanese social hierarchy. It leverages the 'go-' prefix to elevate the listener while 'yousha' invokes a quasi-legalistic request for clemency. Its usage is a hallmark of 'omotenashi' and professional decorum, demonstrating the speaker's mastery of the nuances of 'honne' and 'tatemae'. It is a sophisticated instrument for managing interpersonal friction in rigid institutional structures.

Significado

A polite and humble request for forgiveness or understanding in a difficult situation.

🌍

Contexto cultural

Apologies are a social lubricant.

🎯

Use with a bow

Always pair with a physical bow.

Significado

A polite and humble request for forgiveness or understanding in a difficult situation.

🎯

Use with a bow

Always pair with a physical bow.

Ponte a prueba

Fill in the blank.

納期に遅れてしまい、_____。

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: どうかご容赦ください

It is a formal apology.

🎉 Puntuación: /1

Preguntas frecuentes

1 preguntas

Yes, it is perfect for bosses.

Frases relacionadas

🔄

申し訳ございません

synonym

I am sorry

Dónde usarla

📅

Missed Deadline

Employee: 納期に遅れてしまい、どうかご容赦ください。

formal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Yo-sha' as 'Yo, sha-ll we forgive?' but only in a suit!

Visual Association

A businessman bowing so low his head touches the floor in front of a giant, stern-looking boss.

Story

You sent the wrong file to your boss. You walk into his office, bow, and say the phrase. He sighs and nods, accepting your apology.

Word Web

容赦謝罪不手際迷惑何卒恐縮

Desafío

Write a fake email to a boss explaining a late report using this phrase.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Le ruego me disculpe

Japanese is more ritualized.

Easily Confused

どうかご容赦ください vs 許してください

Too direct/demanding.

Use 'ご容赦' for professional settings.

Preguntas frecuentes (1)

Yes, it is perfect for bosses.

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