gomen

Gomen is a casual Japanese expression meaning "sorry" or "pardon me." It is the informal form of the apology phrase gomen nasai (ごめんなさい). The word is typically written in kana as dommety ごめん or ごめんね, and less commonly in kanji as 御免 or ご免 in more formal writing. The polite alternative, gomen nasai, is used in more formal situations or with people one does not know well.

Etymology and forms: Gomen originates from the verb of seeking pardon, with the prefix go- as a politeness marker and the noun or concept of exemption expressed by 免 (men). The combination conveys a request for forgiveness, roughly “please excuse me.” In everyday speech, speakers often drop the longer form to a simple apologetic interjection.

Usage: Gomen is used among friends, family, or peers to acknowledge a minor fault or inconvenience, such as being late or accidentally bumping into someone. It can stand alone or be extended with softeners like ごめんね (gomen ne) or by following with a brief explanation. For more serious offenses, speakers typically switch to more formal expressions such as ごめんなさい (gomen nasai) or 申し訳ありません (moushiwake arimasen).

Nuance and culture: Apology is a common social practice in Japan, and the choice of phrasing reflects formality, context, and relationship. Gomen conveys warmth and casualness, but may be inappropriate with strangers, superiors, or in professional settings where a more formal apology is expected. In such cases, higher-register phrases are preferred. See also sumimasen and moushiwake gozaimasen for related modes of apology.