How to Say ‘Excuse me’ in Japanese
すみません
sumi mase n
[sumi mase n]
🇯🇵 In Japan: [すみません] is the normal way to get a staff member's attention politely before your actual request. In Japan it often means both "excuse me" and a light "sorry to bother you," so it sounds softer than just calling out.
Phrase Breakdown
すみ
sumi
[sumi]
excuse
A word used in apologies or to get attention.
お店の中ですみませんと言った。
I said sorry (sumimasen) inside the shop.
ませ
mase
[mase]
not
Part of a negative form in verbs.
予約ませになっていません。
The reservation hasn't been made.
ん
n
[n]
end particle
Final particle in casual negative form.
行きたくないんです。
I don’t want to go.
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