How to Say ‘Excuse me.’ in Japanese
すみません。
sumi mase n
[soo-mee mah-seh n]
💬 Usage Tip: Use [すみません] to get attention *and* to say sorry/thanks in a small way—super versatile. Often said with a slight bow.
🇯🇵 In Japan: In Japan it’s normal to start questions with [すみません] even if you’re not “interrupting”—it sounds polite and softens the request.
Phrase Breakdown
すみ
sumi
[soo-mee]
apology/attention-getting phrase (part of すみません)
The first part of すみません. As a whole, すみません is used to get someone’s attention (“Excuse me”) or to apologize (“I’m sorry”). You’ll often start a directions question with this.
すみません、地下鉄の駅はどこですか。
Excuse me, where is the subway station?
ませ
mase
[mah-seh]
apology/attention-getting phrase (part of すみません)
Middle part of すみません. Together with すみ + ませ + ん, it forms a polite expression used before asking for directions or help.
すみません、ちょっといいですか。
Excuse me, do you have a moment?
ん
n
[n]
polite negative ending (part of すみません)
Final sound of すみません. The whole word is a fixed polite phrase meaning “Excuse me / I’m sorry,” commonly used to initiate a directions question.
すみません、ここは新宿ですか。
Excuse me, is this Shinjuku?
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