How to Say ‘Excuse me.’ in Japanese
すみません。
sumi mase n
[soo-mee mah-seh n]
💬 Usage Tip: [すみません] is your all-purpose “excuse me/sorry.” Say it first to sound polite before any request or complaint.
🇯🇵 In Japan: In Japan, starting with [すみません] softens the mood a lot—especially with neighbors.
Phrase Breakdown
すみ
sumi
[soo-mee]
Excuse me; sorry
The start of 「すみません」. Used to get someone’s attention or to apologize politely (more formal than ごめん).
すみません、音楽の音が大きいです。
Excuse me, the music is loud.
ませ
mase
[mah-seh]
(part of a polite phrase)
Part of 「すみません」. By itself it’s not used as an independent word; together it makes a polite apology/attention-getter.
遅くにすみません、となりです。
Sorry for coming late; I'm your neighbor.
ん
n
[n]
(final sound in a polite negative form)
The final 「ん」 in 「すみません」. It’s part of the fixed expression; not used alone in this meaning.
すみません。夜は静かにしてほしいんです。
I'm sorry. At night, I'd like you to keep it quiet.
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