How to Say ‘Excuse me, may I say something?’ in Japanese
すみません、ちょっといいですか。
sumi mase n chotto ii desu ka
[soo-mee mah-seh n choht-toh ee-ee dess kah]
🇯🇵 In Japan: This is a polite, low-pressure way to get a stranger's attention. Expect a slightly surprised look, since unprompted compliments from strangers are uncommon in Japan.
Phrase Breakdown
すみません、
sumi mase n
excuse me
Gets someone's attention politely. Pause naturally at the comma.
すみません、これは何ですか。
Excuse me, what is this?
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.
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.
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?'. It is a polite way to ask for someone's time. Note the pause at っ.
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-ee]
good; okay
Shows that something is acceptable or permitted.
ここに書いてもいいです。
It is okay to write here.
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
[kah]
question marker
Placed at the end of a sentence to make it a question.
A席はありますか。
Are there A seats available?
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