詫びる
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Base dictionary form. Ichidan verb: ends in 『る』 and keeps its stem for all conjugations.
Theme
At work, User accidentally spills coffee on a colleague's report. Their coworker Yamada is understanding but expects an apology to resolve the situation professionally.
詫びる
わびる
to apologize (plain form)
Culture & SocietyTraditions & Customs
verbICHIDAN (ru-verb)
Memory Hook
Imagine someone saying 'wabi' (詫びる wabiru sounds like 'wabi') in a humble way to apologize — think of 'wabi-sabi' aesthetics, which embrace imperfection and humility, just like apologizing.
Cultural Note
In Japan, apologizing is a key social custom. 『詫びる』 (wabiru, 'to apologize') is often used in formal or written contexts, such as in business or public apologies. It reflects sincerity and taking responsibility, which is highly valued in Japanese society.
Forms
Base: 詫びるBase dictionary form. Ichidan verb: ends in 『る』 and keeps its stem for all conjugations.
Polite: 詫びますDrop 『る』 (-ru) → add 『ます』 (masu, polite marker) → 『詫びます』 (wabimasu, 'apologize [polite]').
Negative: 詫びないDrop 『る』 (-ru) → add 『ない』 (nai, 'not') → 『詫びない』 (wabinai, 'do not apologize').
Past: 詫びたDrop 『る』 (-ru) → add 『た』 (ta, past marker) → 『詫びた』 (wabita, 'apologized').
Te: 詫びてDrop 『る』 (-ru) → add 『て』 (te) → 『詫びて』 (wabite). Used for requests and linking actions.
Volitional: 詫びようDrop 『る』 (-ru) → add 『よう』 (you, volitional) → 『詫びよう』 (wabiyou, 'let’s apologize').
Conditional: 詫びればDrop 『る』 (-ru) → add 『れば』 (reba, conditional) → 『詫びれば』 (wabireba, 'if (someone) apologizes').
Potential: 詫びられるAdd 『られる』 (rareru, potential) to the stem → 『詫びられる』 (wabirareru, 'can apologize').
Passive: 詫びられるAdd passive marker 『られる』 (rareru) → same surface form as potential; meaning depends on context.
Causative: 詫びさせるAdd causative marker 『させる』 (saseru) → 『詫びさせる』 (wabisaseru).
Imperative: 詫びろDrop 『る』 (-ru) → add 『ろ』 (ro, command) → 『詫びろ』 (wabiro).
Progressive: 詫びているTe-form 『詫びて』 + 『いる』 (iru, continuous) → 『詫びている』 (wabite iru, 'is apologizing').