Anyone visiting Japan today would do well to learn two key words: domo, meaning “hello,” “thanks,” or “well,” and sumimasen, which can carry any of the meanings of domo, as well as “sorry” or “excuse me.” Ordinary Japanese say sumimasen countless times each day, to apologize to friends or strangers for even the most trivial accident or mistake.
如今，所有来日旅客都会学会两个关键词：“多末”，意思是“你好”、“谢谢”或“很好”；以及“斯米马赛”，它包括了domo的全部含义，还可以表达“对不起”和“劳驾”。普通日本人每天都要说无数次“斯米马赛”，有一点点事情或犯一点点错误就用这个词向朋友或陌生人致歉。但是，自二战以来，日本领导人真切地感受到，向其他国家表达悔恨之情并不那么简单。