How to say Excuse Me in Japanese: #1 Ultimate Guide

The Best Way to Say Excuse Me in Japanese

すみません (sumimasen) is the most common and versatile way to say “excuse me” in Japanese. You can use it to apologise, to get someone’s attention, to ask for help, and a lot more!

It’s a polite and formal expression that can be used in most situations.

Depending on the context, it can be translated as “I’m sorry,” “Excuse me,” “Thank you,” or “Pardon me”.

Apologising with Excuse Me in Japanese

The most common use of すみません (sumimasen) is to apologise. Japanese culture places a high value on politeness and humility, making apologies an essential part of communication.

You can use すみません (sumimasen) in situations, such as:

• When you bump into someone on the street.
• When you’re late for an appointment.
• When you make a mistake at work or school.
• When you receive bad news or upsetting information.

Remember to use a polite tone and bow slightly when apologizing. You can also add ごめんなさい (gomen nasai), meaning, “I’m sorry” for added emphasis (we’ll cover this word in depth, later)!

Getting Someone’s Attention with Excuse Me in Japanese

Another common use of すみません (sumimasen) is to get someone’s attention.

It’s similar to saying “Excuse me” in English and can be used in many situations, such as:

• When you want to ask for directions.
• When you need help in a store or restaurant.
• When you want to order something.
• When you’re trying to get past someone in a crowded area.

Use a polite tone and make eye contact when using すみません (sumimasen) to get someone’s attention.

You can then follow it up with what you want to say.

For instance:

• Excuse me, I want to go to [place] but, I don’t know the way.
  すみません、[place]にいきたいんですけど、道がわかりません。
  sumimasen, [place] ni ikitaindesukedo, michi ga wakarimasen.

When you don’t know the way in Japanese, you can use this phrase to someone to ask them for help. Replace [place] with the place you want to go.

You can also add ちょっといいですか (chotto ii desu ka), meaning,  “may I ask you something?”to add a little more respect.

Expressing Gratitude with すみません (sumimasen)

While less common, “sumimasen” can also be used to express gratitude. In this case, it’s similar to saying “Thank you” in English and is used when someone has done something kind or helpful for you. For example:

• When someone gives you directions or helps you find something.
• When someone holds the door open for you.
• When someone gives you a gift or pays for your meal.

Of course, you can follow it up with ありがとうございます (arigatou gozaimasu), which means “thank you very much” in Japanese.

Other Uses of すみません (sumimasen)

すみません (sumimasen) has several other uses beyond saying “excuse me”, apologising, getting someone’s attention, and expressing gratitude. Here are a few examples:

Asking for permission:

• Excuse me, may I use the restroom?
  すみません、トイレを使ってもいいですか？
  sumimasen, toire o tsukatte mo ii desu ka? 

Declining an offer:

• Excuse me, I’m afraid I can’t make it…
  すみません、もし分けございませんが、ちょっと…
  sumimasen, moshiwake gozaimasen ga, chotto…

Note that in Japanese culture, it’s considered polite to be indirect when declining an offer.

Excusing yourself:

• Excuse me, I’m afraid I need to go now.
  すみません、それじゃ、失礼します。
  sumimasen, sore ja, shitsureishimasu.

Asking for clarification:

• Excuse me, can you repeat that?
  すみません、もう一度お願いします。
  sumimasen, mou ichido onegaishimasu.

Expressing sympathy:

• That must be difficult for you, I’m sorry.
  残念なことですね。すみません。
  zannen na koto desu ne, sumimasen.

Remember that すみません (sumimasen) is a polite and formal word. In casual situations, you may want to use “gomen” or “gomen ne” instead, which are more casual ways of saying “I’m sorry” or “Excuse me.” More on saying “Excuse me” in casual Japanese later on down!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

While すみません (sumimasen) is a useful and versatile word, there are a few common mistakes you should avoid. Here are some tips to help you use it correctly:

Don’t Overuse It

すみません (sumimasen) can be translated as “I’m sorry,” “Excuse me,” “Thank you,” or “Pardon me,” but that doesn’t mean you should use it in every situation. Overusing this word can make you sound insincere or overly formal. Use it only when necessary and appropriate. Try thanking the other person, instead!

Use the Right Tone and Bow

When using すみません (sumimasen) to apologise or get someone’s attention, combine it with the right tone and bow slightly.

Dogen, who I’ve linked below has a very comedic, yet informative video that explains how to bow in Japan.

Know When to Use “Gomen” Instead

While すみません (sumimasen) is a polite and formal word, ごめん (gomen) is a more casual way of saying “I’m sorry” or “Excuse me.” If you’re in a casual setting, it may be better to use this word instead of すみません (sumimasen).

The Meaning of ごめんなさい (Gomen Nasai)

In other words, in Japanese, “ごめんなさい” (Gomen nasai) is a phrase used to apologise for one’s actions or words.

The word “ごめん” (Gomen) means “sorry,” while “なさい” (nasai) is a polite imperative form that means “please do” or “please say.” So, “ごめんなさい” (Gomen nasai) literally translates to “please say sorry” or “please apologise.”

To make the phrase very casual, you can drop the なさい (nasai), and say ごめん (gomen).

However, keep in mind that you should only use strictly casual version of the phrase with friends and family members.

How to Use ごめんなさい (Gomen Nasai)

When You Are Late

In Japan, punctuality is highly valued.

If you’re running late for something, after arriving you can say “遅れてごめんなさい” (Okurete gomen nasai), which means “Excuse me for being late.”

When You Forget Something

When you forget something important and feel you may have caused inconvenience to others, you can apologise sincerely by saying: “大切なことを忘れてしまって、ごめんなさい” (Taisetsu na koto wo wasurete shimatte, gomen nasai), which means “I’m sorry for forgetting something important.”

It’s important to note that in the above example the “something” refers to an intangible thing.

To refer to a physical object you have forgotten replace こと (koto), with もの (mono). This would make it:

• I’m sorry for forgetting something important.
  大切なものを忘れてしまって、ごめんなさい。
  taisetsu na mono wo wasurete shimatte, gomen nasai.

Apologising for Causing Inconvenience

If you feel your actions or words have caused inconvenience or trouble to others, you can apologise and say:

You can say “ご迷惑をおかけして、ごめんなさい” (Gomeiwaku wo okake shte, gomen nasai), which means “Excuse me/I’m sorry for causing inconvenience.”

What Does 失礼します  (shitsurei shimasu) mean?

The phrase 失礼します  (shitsurei shimasu)  is commonly translated as “excuse me” or “I’m sorry for interrupting.”

However, its meaning is much broader than that.

失礼 (shitsurei) can be translated as “rudeness” or “impoliteness,” while  します (shimasu) is a polite form of the verb する (suru), which means “to do.”

Therefore, “Shitsurei shimasu” can be translated as “I am being rude by interrupting” or “I am being impolite by doing this.”

How to Use 失礼します  (shitsurei shimasu)

失礼します  (shitsurei shimasu) can be used in various situations to show politeness and respect for others. Here are some of the most common situations where you may wish to use it:

Entering and leaving someone’s home

In Japan, it is customary to take off your shoes before entering someone’s home.

When entering a house, it is common to say 失礼します  (shitsurei shimasu) to let the host know that you are entering their space.

Similarly, when leaving someone’s home, it is common to say 失礼します  (shitsurei shimasu) to let the host know that you are leaving.

This may also apply to the workplace. When you finish work and are about to leave the office for the day, you may say 失礼します  (shitsurei shimasu) to announce that you are leaving.

It’s similar to saying “please excuse me” in English.

Interrupting someone

In Japanese culture, interrupting someone without saying 失礼します  (shitsurei shimasu) is considered rude.

Therefore, if you need to interrupt someone, it is polite to say 失礼します  (shitsurei shimasu) before doing so.

This shows that you are aware that you are interrupting and that you are doing so politely.

Ending a Phone Call

You can also use 失礼します  (shitsurei shimasu) before you hang up a phone call.

In English we may say “good bye” when finishing up a call, however in Japanese it’s more common to use 失礼します  (shitsurei shimasu).

Simply say the phrase before you hang up, just as you would when you say “good bye” in English.

When You Leave Work

When work is done for the day in Japan, before leaving the office, it’s common to say 失礼します (shitsurei shimasu) to announce you are done and are leaving.

Cultural significance of 失礼します  (shitsurei shimasu)

Politeness and respect in Japanese culture

In Japan, showing politeness and respect for others is extremely important.

失礼します  (shitsurei shimasu) is one of the many phrases that exemplifies this cultural value. By using this phrase, one is acknowledging the other person’s space, time, and feelings.

It is a way of showing that you are aware of your actions and their impact on others.

Literal Translation of the Phrase

ちょっと失礼します (chotto shitsurei shimasu) is a polite Japanese phrase that is used to excuse oneself when interrupting someone or to ask for permission before doing something.

The literal translation of the phrase is “I’m sorry for being rude,” or “I apologize for the inconvenience.”

Figurative Meaning of the Phrase

The figurative meaning of  this expression is more nuanced and goes beyond its literal translation.

The phrase expresses humility, respect, and consideration for others. It is used to acknowledge that one’s actions may be inconvenient or bothersome to others and to ask for permission or forgiveness in a polite and respectful manner.

How to Use It

ちょっと失礼します (chotto shitsurei shimasu) can be used in various situations to express politeness and respect.

For example, when interrupting someone during a conversation, you can say it to excuse yourself and ask for permission to speak.

In a business meeting or formal setting, the phrase can be used to ask for permission before leaving the room or to apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Common Misunderstandings and Mistakes

Linguistic and Cultural Barriers

Non-Japanese speakers may find it challenging to use ちょっと失礼します (chotto shitsurei shimasu) correctly due to linguistic and cultural barriers.

Like 失礼します (shitsurei shimasu), the phrase has no direct equivalent in other languages, and its usage can be difficult to understand without a thorough understanding of Japanese culture and social etiquette.

What does お邪魔します (ojama shimasu) mean?

お邪魔します (ojama shimasu) is a polite Japanese phrase that can be translated to “I am interrupting” or “I am intruding.”

The word お邪魔 (ojama) means interruption or disturbance, while します (shimasu) is a polite form of the verb する (suru)”, which means “to do”.

How To Use お邪魔します (ojama shimasu)

In Japanese culture, お邪魔します (ojama shimasu) is a polite phrase that is commonly used when entering someone’s home or office.

It is a way to acknowledge that you are entering someone else’s personal space and that you may be causing a disturbance.

When using お邪魔します (ojama shimasu) it is common to follow it up with a greeting or introduction.

For example, if you are visiting someone’s home, you may begin with お邪魔します (ojama shimasu),meaning “excuse me for interrupting”,  before introducing yourself and your name.

To reiterate, in Japanese culture, respect and politeness are highly valued, and お邪魔します (ojama shimasu) is a reflection of this.

By acknowledging that you are interrupting or disturbing someone, you are showing respect for their time and space.