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 dess kah]
Phrase Breakdown
すみません、
sumi mase n
excuse me
Use this to get someone's attention politely. Say su-mi-ma-sen, then pause.
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 negative ending
Part of the polite negative form -masen, making a verb or expression negative and polite.
わかりません。
I don't understand.
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?
Literally 'Is a little okay?', this asks politely for someone's time. Say chot-to ii de-su ka.
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; okay
A common word meaning good or acceptable; in permission patterns it means okay to do.
ここで待ってもいいです。
It is okay to wait 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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