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How to Say ‘Excuse me, may I ask you a few questions?’ in Japanese

すみません、少しお話を伺ってもいいですか。

sumi mase n sukoshi o hanashi o ukagatsu te mo ii desu ka

[soo-mee mah-seh n soo-koh-shee oh ha-na-shee oh oo-KAHG teh moh ee dess ka]

🇯🇵 In Japan: This is a safe, respectful opener for approaching a company representative at a career fair. Recruiters expect students to use humble language like this.

Phrase Breakdown

すみません、

sumi mase n

Excuse me,

A polite opener used before making a request.

Example

すみません、ちょっといいですか。

Excuse me, do you have a moment?

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.

少しお話を

sukoshi o hanashi o

a little talk (object)

少し means 'a little', and お話 is the polite form of 'talk'. を marks the object.

Example

先生と少しお話をしました。

I talked a little with the teacher.

Words in this phrase

少し

sukoshi

[soo-koh-shee]

a little; a bit

Softens the complaint by saying something is a little high.

Example

少し高くないですか、と聞きました。

I asked, “Isn’t it a little expensive?”

お

[oh]

honorific prefix

お adds politeness to certain words and expressions.

Example

チケットを二枚お願いします。

Two tickets, please.

話

hanashi

[ha-na-shee]

talk; story

話 means talk, speech, or story depending on context.

Example

先生の話をよく聞いて。

Listen carefully to the teacher's talk.

を

[oh]

object marker

The particle を marks the direct object of a verb.

Example

チケットを二枚ください。

Two tickets, please.

伺ってもいいですか。

ukagatsu te mo ii desu ka

may I hear/ask?

This is a humble request for permission. Pause briefly on the small っ.

Example

お名前を伺ってもいいですか。

May I ask your name?

Words in this phrase

伺っ

ukagatsu

[oo-KAHG]

ask; hear (humble)

Humble form of 'ask' or 'hear', used when speaking to someone of higher status.

Example

先生にお話を伺いました。

I heard a talk from the teacher.

て

[teh]

te-form ending

This て makes the phrase a gentle request or friendly instruction: please take care.

Example

てはお気をつけての終わりです。

て is the ending of お気をつけて.

も

[moh]

also; even

With で, it forms でも, meaning but.

Example

はい、でも、もう少し先です。

Yes, but it is a little farther ahead.

いい

[ee]

good; okay

Used to ask if something is acceptable or suitable.

Example

この場所でいいですか。

Is this place 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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