How to Say ‘Excuse me.’ in Japanese
すみません。
sumi mase n
[sumi mah-seh n]
🇯🇵 In Japan: すみません is the standard polite way to get a clerk's attention in Japan, softer than a direct call like ねえ. It also works for small apologies, so you'll hear it constantly at counters.
Phrase Breakdown
すみ
sumi
[sumi]
excuse me / sorry
First part of すみません, a very common polite expression used to get attention or apologize.
すみません、と言いました。
I said, “Excuse me.”
ませ
mase
[mah-seh]
polite middle part of the phrase
Middle part of すみません. By itself it is not usually used alone, but it helps form the polite expression.
すみません、と言いました。
I said, “Excuse me.”
ん
n
[n]
final n sound
Final sound in すみません. It completes the full polite phrase.
すみません、と言いました。
I said, “Excuse me.”
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