How to Say ‘Excuse me, do you have a moment?’ in Japanese
すみません、ちょっといいですか。
sumi mase n chotto ii desu ka
[sue-mee mah-SEH n chotto ee-ee desu ka]
🇯🇵 In Japan: This is the polite, standard way to stop a stranger, a festival volunteer, or a staff member before asking something. Opening with すみません first makes it land as considerate rather than abrupt.
Phrase Breakdown
すみません、
sumi mase n
Excuse me,
A polite way to get someone's attention. Say 'su-mi-ma-se-n'.
すみません、駅はどこですか。
Excuse me, where is the station?
Words in this phrase
すみ
sumi
[sue-mee]
excuse
A stem used in polite expressions like apologies or getting someone's attention.
すみません、コンサートのチケットについて聞きたいです。
Excuse me, I would like to ask about the concert tickets.
ませ
mase
[mah-SEH]
polite verb form (here part of 'sumimasen')
The polite auxiliary 'masu' in its stem form 'mase', followed by 'n' to make it negative. Together with 'sumi' it forms 'sumimasen', meaning 'excuse me'.
まだ決まっていません。
It hasn't been decided yet.
ん
n
[n]
(negative ending)
Contracted form of the polite negative ending, as in ありません.
今日は時間がありません。
I don't have time today.
ちょっといいですか。
chotto ii desu ka
do you have a moment?
A soft way to ask for someone's time. Use a rising tone on か.
今、ちょっといいですか。
Do you have a moment now?
Words in this phrase
ちょっと
chotto
[chotto]
a little
Indicating a small quantity or amount.
ちょっと待って。
Wait a little.
いい
ii
[ee-ee]
good; nice
A common adjective used to show approval or a positive impression.
その考えはいいですね。
That idea is nice.
です
desu
[desu]
is; polite ending
A polite sentence ending often used to soften statements.
キャンセルしたいです。
I want to cancel.
か
ka
[ka]
question particle
Used to create a yes/no question in informal speech.
行くか？
Shall we go?
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