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How to Say ‘Excuse me, do you have a moment?’ in Japanese

すみません、今、よろしいですか。

sumi mase n ima yoroshii desu ka

[soo-mee mah-seh n Ima yoroshii dess ka]

🇯🇵 In Japan: This is the standard polite way to approach a recruiter at a booth or someone mid-conversation. Opening with すみません signals you know you're interrupting, which matters more in Japan than a cheerful hello.

Phrase Breakdown

すみません、

sumi mase n

Excuse me,

This is a polite way to get attention or apologize. The 'u' in 'su' is often soft: 'sumimasen'.

Example

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

[soo-mee]

excuse me; sorry

A polite attention-getter and light apology. Used to call a pharmacist/staff or to be polite before asking for help.

Example

すみません、薬剤師さん。

Excuse me, pharmacist.

ませ

mase

[mah-seh]

polite negative (part of ません)

「ませ」 is part of 「ません」, the polite negative form.

Example

はいていません。

I haven’t vomited.

ん

[n]

negative ending

The final sound completing the negative polite form.

Example

一人は魚が食べられません。

One person cannot eat fish.

今、よろしいですか。

ima yoroshii desu ka

do you have a moment now?

今 (ima) means 'now'. よろしいですか politely asks if it is a good time.

Example

部長、今、よろしいですか。

Manager, do you have a moment now?

Words in this phrase

今

ima

[Ima]

now

At the present moment or time.

Example

今すぐ来て。

Come right now.

よろしい

yoroshii

[yoroshii]

all right; acceptable

A polite word meaning 'okay' or 'good,' often used to confirm an order.

Example

ホットでよろしいですか。

Would hot be okay?

です

desu

[dess]

is; polite copula

A polite sentence ending used in formal conversation.

Example

少し伺いたいです。

I would like to ask a little.

か

[ka]

question particle

Indicates a question with previous verb.

Example

飲みませんか？

Won't you drink?

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