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How to Say ‘Excuse me’ in French

Excusez-moi

eks-kew-zey mwah

[eks-kew-zey mwah]

💬 Usage Tip: With verb-plus-moi forms like this, the words are linked with a hyphen: excusez-moi, pardonnez-moi. The z sound also carries straight into moi when you say it.

Phrase Breakdown

Excusez

[eks-kew-zey]

Excuse

A polite request for forgiveness or attention.

Example

Excusez-moi, je dois passer.

Excuse me, I need to pass through.

-moi

[mwah]

me

Used to refer to oneself, asking for attention or pardon.

Example

Excusez-moi de vous déranger.

Excuse me for disturbing you.

Related guides

Ordering in French: Cafés, Bakeries and Restaurants (with Menu Vocabulary)How to order in French at a café, a bakery and a restaurant: the phrases, the questions staff ask, and the menu and food vocabulary to understand the answers.How to Learn to Speak French, Not Just Read ItWhy reading French doesn't make you speak it, and a practical way to learn to speak French: real conversations, speaking out loud from day one, and practice with people.

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