Gomennasai Versus Sumimasen in Japanese

Both Gomennasai and Sumimasen are used when you have made a  mistake or inconvenienced someone. Sumimasen is also used when expressing a feeling of gratitude, but Gomennasai cannot be used in such situations. For the most part, it comes down to a matter of personal preference whether to use either Sumimasen 㠁™ã  ¿Ã£  ¾Ã£ â€ºÃ£â€šâ€œ or Gomennasai 㠁”ã‚ Ã£â€šâ€œÃ£  ªÃ£ â€¢Ã£ â€ž, but there are a few subtleties to be aware of. Sumimasen is a little more formal than Gomennasai.When you apologize to the higher or the senior, Sumimasen is used in general.Among the family members or close friends, it is common to use Gomennasai. Gomen ne or Gomen can be used in a more casual case.Older people tend to use Sumimasen more than younger people. Gomennasai can be used when apologizing to someone with whom you have a close relationship. But when speaking with superiors or people with whom one is not very close, Sumimasen or Moushiwake arimasen are used instead, since Gomennasi can have a childish ring to it.