godan verb (-ru), transitive verb, intransitive verb
apologize; say sorry
The ordinary modern meaning. Common patterns include 人に謝る for apologizing to someone and ことを謝る for apologizing for an action or mistake.
遅れたことを先生に謝った。
I apologized to the teacher for being late.
彼はすぐに友達に謝った。
He apologized to his friend right away.
godan verb (-ru), transitive verb, intransitive verb
Dated use meaning to refuse or decline, typically with an apologetic nuance. In modern Japanese, 断る or 辞退する is normally used instead.
古い文章では、「招きを謝る」が「招待を辞退する」という意味で使われることがある。
In older writing, 招きを謝る may be used to mean 'decline an invitation.'
godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb
be unable to bear; be defeated by; be at a loss; be stumped
Dated intransitive use for being beaten, overwhelmed, unable to handle something, or at a loss. This is not a normal modern use of 謝る.
古い用法では、「この難問には謝った」のように、手に負えず困る意味で使われることがある。
In an older usage, この難問には謝った can mean that one was stumped by the difficult problem.