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お手数をおかけして申し訳ございませんが

Grammar & Usage

fixed expression

very formal, polite, humble

How it works

This is a very polite and indirect way to preface a request or an apology for causing inconvenience. 'お手数' (otesū) means 'trouble' or 'bother'. 'をおかけして' (o okake shite) means 'causing [trouble]', functioning as the te-form of 'おかけする' (o kake suru), a humble-polite verb meaning 'to cause' or 'to impose'. '申し訳ございませんが' (mōshiwake gozaimasen ga) means 'I am sorry, but...' and implies an apology for the trouble, while 'が' (ga) serves as a conjunction to introduce the main request or statement.

Sample sentences

お手数をおかけして申し訳ございませんが、こちらの書類にご署名いただけますでしょうか。

I'm sorry to trouble you, but could you please sign these documents?

お手数をおかけして申し訳ございませんが、詳細について明日改めてご連絡させてください。

I'm sorry for the trouble, but please allow me to contact you again tomorrow regarding the details.

システム障害により、お手数をおかけして申し訳ございませんが、しばらくお待ちいただけますでしょうか。

Due to a system failure, I apologize for the inconvenience, but could you please wait a moment?

Quick facts

usage:It is typically used to soften a request or an instruction that might cause some effort or inconvenience to the listener. The 'が' (ga) implies that a request or an explanation will follow.

politeness:This is a very high level of politeness, used in formal business settings or when addressing superiors/clients. It shows deep consideration for the other person's time and effort.

Often used with

恐れ入りますが (osoreirimasu ga)

ご迷惑をおかけして申し訳ございません (gomeiwaku o okake shite mōshiwake gozaimasen)

お忙しいところ恐縮ですが (oisogashii tokoro kyōshuku desu ga)

お手数ですが (otesū desu ga)

大変恐縮ですが (taihen kyōshuku desu ga)

Mnemonic

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Example

お手数をおかけして申し訳ございませんが、こちらの書類にご署名いただけますでしょうか。

I'm sorry to trouble you, but could you please sign these documents?

お手数をおかけして申し訳ございませんが、詳細について明日改めてご連絡させてください。

I'm sorry for the trouble, but please allow me to contact you again tomorrow regarding the details.