The phrase "失念しておりました" means "I forgot" and can be used in both emails and conversation. In business settings, it's typically paired with an apology. This article explains the meaning and proper usage of "失念しておりました." By looking at example sentences, you'll learn how to use it correctly.
Table of Contents
- How to Say “I Forgot” in Japanese for Business Settings
- Points to Remember When Using “Shitsunenshite Orimashita”
- Example Sentences Using “Shitsunenshite Orimashita”
- Similar Japanese Phrases to “Shitsunenshite Orimashita”
- How to Respond to “Shitsunenshite Orimashita”
- How to Apologise in Business Japanese
How to Say “I Forgot” in Japanese for Business Settings
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The phrase "失念しておりました (Shitsunenshite orimashita)" is a polite way to say "I forgot." It i's the humble form of the verb “to forget (忘れる, Wasureru)”, and is used to show respect to the other person by humbling yourself.
This expression is often used in business when speaking to superiors or clients, whether in emails or conversations. For instance, if you forget a meeting or to reply to an email, “失念しておりました (Shitsunenshite orimashita)” is more appropriate than simply saying “忘れておりました (Wasurete orimashita)”.
However, since it is quite a formal phrase, it is not commonly used in casual, everyday conversations.
What is Humble Form? Refresh your knowledge of Honorific Language (敬語, Keigo) in this article.
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Points to Remember When Using “Shitsunenshite Orimashita”
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"失念しておりました (Shitsunenshite orimashita)" means you forgot to do something, so it shouldn’t be used for objects. For instance, you wouldn’t say “失念しておりました (Shitsunenshite orimashita)” about forgetting your house keys or leaving your phone behind in a taxi. Also, avoid using it to describe someone else’s actions, especially those of superiors or clients. Saying something like “the customer forgot their appointment” or “the manager forgot to reply to my email” with “失念しておりました (Shitsunenshite orimashita)” is wrong.
Examples of Wrong Usage of 失念しておりました (Shitsunenshite orimashita):
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「家の鍵を失念しました」
- I forgot my house keys. -
「タクシーに携帯を失念しました」
- I forgot my phone in the taxi.
In the examples above, the correct verb should be “忘れました (Wasuremashita)”.
The phrase "失念しておりました (Shitsunenshite orimashita)" is used when you forget something, so it does not apply to situations when you are not aware of something. If you want to say “I did not know” or “I was not aware”, it is better to say “存じ上げておりませんでした (Zonjite orimasendeshita)”.
Lastly, "失念 (Shitsunen)” also implies that you cannot recall something - “思い出せない (Omoidasenai)”. If you want to politely express “I don’t remember” or “I can’t recall”, you can use “失念いたしました (Shitsunenitashimashita)”.
Example Sentences Using “Shitsunenshite Orimashita”
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"失念しておりました (Shitsunenshite orimashita)" can be used in verbal communication and emails. Here are some example sentences so you can learn how to use them correctly in business situations.
When Used in Verbal Communication
Forgetting something can be seen as being disrespectful to the other person. Therefore, when using "失念しておりました (Shitsunenshite orimashita)", it is important to also include an appology like “申し訳ありません (Moushiwake arimasen)”.
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「打ち合わせの件で、取引先に電話するのを失念しておりました。
申し訳ありませんでした。」
- My apologies. I have forgotten to call the client about the meeting. -
「お客様に資料をお渡しするのを失念しておりました。
申し訳ありませんでした。」
- My apologies. I have forgotten to pass the documents to the client.
When Used in Emails
When communicating via email, since you can't gauge the recipient’s reaction, it’s important to be even more polite than you would be in a conversation.
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「先週いただきましたお問い合わせのメールに対する返信を失念しておりました。長らくお待たせして大変申し訳ございませんでした。今後はこのようなことがないよう気を付けて参りますので、何卒ご容赦くださいますようお願い申し上げます」
- I forgot to respond to your email from last week. I deeply apologise for keeping you waiting. I will make sure this doesn’t happen again and sincerely ask for your understanding.” -
「本日のオンライン会議を失念しておりました。お忙しい中、お時間を作ってくださったにも関わらず、大変なご迷惑をおかけし、誠に申し訳ございませんでした。心よりお詫び申し上げます。二度とこのようなことがないよう、今後はスケジュール管理を徹底して参る所存です」
- I missed today’s online meeting. I’m truly sorry for the inconvenience, especially since you took time out of your busy schedule. I sincerely apologize. I will be more diligent with my schedule to ensure this doesn’t happen again.
For more details on writing business emails, refer to this article on “How to Write Japanese Emails”.
Similar Japanese Phrases to “Shitsunenshite Orimashita”
In addition to “失念する (Shitsunen suru)”, there are other synonyms that means “to forget”. Here we will introduce these alternative expressions for your reference. Knowing synonyms will expand your vocabulary and make your expressions more varied.
忘失 (Boushitsu)
“忘失” means “to forget something completely” or “to leave something behind”. It can be used not only for actions, but also objects.
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「電車に財布を忘失した」
- I forgot my wallet on the train. -
「昔住んでいた家の住所を忘失した」
- I have completely forgotten the address of my old home.
放念 (Hounen)
“放念” is used to set someone’s mind at ease by telling them “please don’t worry about it” or “please forget about it”. It is mainly used in business settings, especially in written communication like emails.
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「ご連絡頂きましたキャンセルの件につきまして、ご事情をお察しいたします。どうか、ご放念ください。」
- We understand the circumstances behind the cancellation. Please don’t worry about it.
忘却 (Boukyaku)
“忘却” is a synonym of “忘失 (Boushitsu)” and “失念 (Shitsunen)”. It means “to completely forget”, and is an expression used in literature and poetry. As such, it is not commonly used in business settings.
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「彼と過ごした日々の思い出は、時とともに忘却の彼方に消え去った」
- The memories of the days I spent with him have faded into oblivion over time.
How to Respond to “Shitsunenshite Orimashita”
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What is the appropriate response when a customer or client says or sends an email containing "失念しておりました (Shitsunenshite orimashita)" to you?
Here are 2 suitable responses that show consideration to the other person.
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「ご丁寧にご連絡いただきまして、ありがとうございます。今回の件はどうかご放念ください。今後ともよろしくお願いいたします。」
- Thank you for contacting us. Please don’t worry about it. I/We look forward to working with you in the future. -
「ご返信いただきまして、ありがとうございました。どうかお気になさらないでください。引き続きどうぞよろしくお願いします」
- Thank you for your reply. Please don’t worry about it. I/We appreciate your continued support.
How to Apologise in Business Japanese
Mistakes are inevitable even in business settings, so it is important to know how to apologise for mistakes and shortcomings in Japanese. Phrases like “ごめんなさい (Gomennasai)” or “すみません (Sumimasen)” are too casual and not suitable for business settings.
Here, we will introduce expressions for apologising that are appropriate for business scenes.
失礼いたしました (Shitsurei itashimashita)
"失礼いたしました" is used to apologise for actions that lack common sense or violate etiquette. It’s appropriate to use this phrase when you mistakenly call someone by the wrong name or make a phone call outside of business hours.
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「宛先の住所を書き間違えてしまい、大変失礼いたしました。」
- I sincerely apologise for writing the wrong address.
申し訳ございません (Moushiwake gozaimasen)
"申し訳ございません" is commonly used in business settings. It is a more polite and formal expression than "すみませんでした (Sumimasen deshita)" to apologise. It can be used in various situations and with different people, so it’s a good phrase to remember.
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「大変長らくお待たせしまして、申し訳ございませんでした。」
"I sincerely apologize for keeping you waiting for such a long time."
ご迷惑をおかけしました (Gomeiwaku wo okakeshimashita)
"ご迷惑をおかけしました" is used when your actions have caused inconvenience or discomfort to someone else. It’s often used to acknowledge and apologize for the trouble you've caused, making it suitable for use with clients or business partners.
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「この度は、弊社のシステムトラブルにより皆様には大変ご迷惑をおかけしました。」
- Our sincerest apologies for the inconvenience caused by our system troubles.
心よりお詫び申し上げます (Kokoro yori owabi moushiagemasu)
"心よりお詫び申し上げます" expresses a deep sense of apology for your actions. Use this phrase when your remorse is greater than that conveyed by "申し訳ございません."
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「お届けした商品の不具合につきまして、心よりお詫び申し上げます。」
- Our deepest apologies for the issue with the product we delivered.
To Close
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"失念しておりました (Shitsunenshite orimashita)" is a polite expression used in business settings to mean "I forgot." When you want to convey that you forgot something to superiors or clients in emails or conversations, it’s best to use "失念しておりました."
Additionally, when using this phrase, including an apology such as "申し訳ございませんでした (Moushiwake gozaimasen deshita)” or "ご迷惑をおかけしました (Gomeiwaku wo okakeshimashita)" will leave a better impression.
