大変ご迷惑をおかけしました。(taihen go-meiwaku o okakeshimashita) - I caused you a great deal of inconvenience.
Grammar & Usage
How it works
This is a set phrase used for a formal apology. 「大変 (taihen)」 is an adverb meaning 'very' or 'greatly'. 「ご迷惑 (go-meiwaku)」 is a polite noun meaning 'inconvenience' or 'trouble'. 「をかける (o kakeru)」 means 'to cause' or 'to impose', and 「おかけしました (okakeshimashita)」 is its past tense, humble form (謙譲語 - kenjōgo), indicating that the action was directed towards the listener. The humble form emphasizes respect for the listener and humbles the speaker's action.
Sample sentences
システムトラブルにより、お客様には大変ご迷惑をおかけしました。
Due to a system error, we caused our customers a great deal of inconvenience.
連絡が遅くなり、大変ご迷惑をおかけしましたことをお詫び申し上げます。
I sincerely apologize for the delay in contact, which caused you significant inconvenience.
私の不手際により、皆様には大変ご迷惑をおかけしました。申し訳ございません。
Due to my oversight, I caused everyone a great deal of inconvenience. I am truly sorry.
Quick facts
Often used with
Mnemonic
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Example
システムトラブルにより、お客様には大変ご迷惑をおかけしました。
Due to a system error, we caused our customers a great deal of inconvenience.
連絡が遅くなり、大変ご迷惑をおかけしましたことをお詫び申し上げます。
I sincerely apologize for the delay in contact, which caused you significant inconvenience.
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