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
[sue-mee mah-SEH n chotto ee-ee desu ka]
🇯🇵 In Japan: This is a polite, low-pressure opener that lets the person decline if they're busy. During a crowded festival, people in 法被 "festival coats" or volunteers with armbands are good people to ask.
Phrase Breakdown
すみません、
sumi mase n
Excuse me,
Gets the listener's attention politely. Pause at the comma.
すみません、トイレはどこですか。
Excuse me, where is the restroom?
Words in this phrase
すみ
sumi
[sue-mee]
excuse
A stem used in polite expressions like apologies or getting someone's attention.
すみません、コンサートのチケットについて聞きたいです。
Excuse me, I would like to ask about the concert tickets.
ませ
mase
[mah-SEH]
polite verb form (here part of 'sumimasen')
The polite auxiliary 'masu' in its stem form 'mase', followed by 'n' to make it negative. Together with 'sumi' it forms 'sumimasen', meaning 'excuse me'.
まだ決まっていません。
It hasn't been decided yet.
ん
n
[n]
(negative ending)
Contracted form of the polite negative ending, as in ありません.
今日は時間がありません。
I don't have time today.
ちょっといいですか。
chotto ii desu ka
Do you have a moment?
A polite way to ask for someone's time. Keep the small pause in 'chotto' and the long 'ii'.
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
[chotto]
a little
Indicating a small quantity or amount.
ちょっと待って。
Wait a little.
いい
ii
[ee-ee]
good; nice
A common adjective used to show approval or a positive impression.
その考えはいいですね。
That idea is nice.
です
desu
[desu]
is; polite ending
A polite sentence ending often used to soften statements.
キャンセルしたいです。
I want to cancel.
か
ka
[ka]
question particle
Used to create a yes/no question in informal speech.
行くか？
Shall we go?
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