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
[sumi mah-seh n choht-toh ee dess ka]
🇯🇵 In Japan: Asking permission before your actual question is polite and gives the person a chance to stop. Many Japanese people may hesitate with foreigners out of shyness about their English, so this gentle opener helps.
Phrase Breakdown
すみません、
sumi mase n
Excuse me,
A polite opener to get a stranger's attention. Pause briefly after it.
すみません、トイレはどこですか。
Excuse me, where is the toilet?
Words in this phrase
すみ
sumi
[sumi]
excuse me
Used to attract attention or apologize.
すみません、道を教えてください。
Excuse me, can you tell me the way?
ませ
mase
[mah-seh]
polite negative (part of ません)
「ませ」 is part of 「ません」, the polite negative form.
はいていません。
I haven’t vomited.
ん
n
[n]
negative ending
The final sound completing the negative polite form.
一人は魚が食べられません。
One person cannot eat fish.
ちょっといいですか。
chotto ii desu ka
Do you have a moment?
Literally 'Is a little okay?', meaning a polite request for someone's time. Pause on the double 't' in chotto.
先生、ちょっといいですか。
Teacher, do you have a moment?
Words in this phrase
ちょっと
chotto
[choht-toh]
a little; just a moment
ちょっと softens the command and means for a moment.
ちょっとまってね。
Wait a moment, okay?
いい
ii
[ee]
good; okay
A common word for something being good, fine, or acceptable.
その形でいいです。
That shape is fine.
です
desu
[dess]
is; polite copula
A polite sentence ending used in formal conversation.
少し伺いたいです。
I would like to ask a little.
か
ka
[ka]
question particle
Indicates a question.
大丈夫ですか？
Are you okay?
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