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道Nihongo Path

御免

ごめん

sorry, your pardon; refusal (having had enough of something); permission

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Examples

  1. 遅れて御免。

    おくれてごめん。

    Sorry I'm late.

  2. 御免ください。

    ごめんください。

    Excuse me — is anyone home?

  3. あんな仕事はもう御免だ。

    あんなしごとはもうごめんだ。

    I've had quite enough of that kind of work.

Common patterns

御免なさい
I'm sorry
御免ください
hello? (at someone's door)
もう御免だ
I've had enough of it

Memory tip

Originally "(your) honourable permission", which is why 御免ください works as a call at someone's door. Bare 御免 is a casual apology, while 〜はもう御免だ means you refuse to go through it again. Usually written ごめん.

Kanji in this word

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What does 御免 mean?