Signification
Apologizing for causing anxiety or concern to someone.
Contexte culturel
In a Japanese company, your health is not just a private matter; it affects the team's harmony. Saying this phrase upon return is a way of 'paying back' the emotional debt of your absence. Celebrities and VTubers often use this phrase in their first post after a hiatus. It validates the fans' concern and strengthens the parasocial bond. While formal, children often use a version of this with parents after a scare (like getting lost) to show they understand the parent's love and anxiety. In televised apologies, the bow (ojigi) usually happens right as this phrase is finished. The depth of the bow matches the level of 'shinpai' caused.
The 'Keigo' Sandwich
Pair this phrase with 'Okagesamade' (thanks to you) to sound like a native. 'Okagesamade genki ni narimashita. Goshinpai o okake shimashita.'
Don't Overuse
If you say this for every tiny thing, it loses its sincerity and makes you seem overly anxious yourself.
Signification
Apologizing for causing anxiety or concern to someone.
The 'Keigo' Sandwich
Pair this phrase with 'Okagesamade' (thanks to you) to sound like a native. 'Okagesamade genki ni narimashita. Goshinpai o okake shimashita.'
Don't Overuse
If you say this for every tiny thing, it loses its sincerity and makes you seem overly anxious yourself.
The Bow
Always give a slight nod or bow when saying this in person. It completes the apology.
Email Subject Lines
In business emails, you can use this in the first sentence after the greeting to set a humble tone.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing particles and verb form to complete the formal apology.
ご{心配|しんぱい}（ ）お（ ）（ ）しました。
The full phrase is 'Go-shinpai O o-KAKE shimashita.'
Which situation is MOST appropriate for 'Go-shinpai o okake shimashita'?
Choose the best context:
Being late causes the other person to worry about your safety or the schedule.
Complete the dialogue between a boss and an employee returning from sick leave.
Boss: {体調|たいちょう}はもういいの？ Employee: はい、おかげさまで。（ ）
This is the standard polite response when returning from illness.
Match the phrase variation to the correct person.
1. {心配|しんぱい}かけたね / 2. ご{心配|しんぱい}をおかけしました
The 'Go-' prefix and 'shimashita' ending are for formal relationships.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Shinpai vs Meiwaku
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesご{心配|しんぱい}（ ）お（ ）（ ）しました。
The full phrase is 'Go-shinpai O o-KAKE shimashita.'
Choose the best context:
Being late causes the other person to worry about your safety or the schedule.
Boss: {体調|たいちょう}はもういいの？ Employee: はい、おかげさまで。（ ）
This is the standard polite response when returning from illness.
1. {心配|しんぱい}かけたね / 2. ご{心配|しんぱい}をおかけしました
The 'Go-' prefix and 'shimashita' ending are for formal relationships.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsUsually, 'Omatase shimashita' (Sorry to keep you waiting) is better for short delays. Use 'Goshinpai...' if you were so late that people thought you were in an accident.
No, that sounds very unnatural. Instead, say 'Goshinpai o okake shimashita' followed by 'Gokizukai arigatou gozaimasu' (Thank you for your concern).
'Itashimashita' is even more humble (Kenjougo II). Use it with high-ranking clients or in very formal letters.
Yes, but use the casual '{心配|しんぱい}かけてごめん' unless you are in a very formal family or have had a major falling out.
Expressions liées
ご{迷惑|めいわく}をおかけしました
similarI caused you inconvenience.
お{騒|さわ}がせしました
similarI caused a commotion.
お{待|ま}たせしました
relatedSorry to keep you waiting.
{心配|しんぱい}しないでください
contrastPlease don't worry.
