How to Say ‘Excuse me’ in Japanese
すみません
sumi mase n
[sue-mee mah-SEH n]
🇯🇵 In Japan: The all-purpose way to get a staff member's attention at a counter or on the street, and also a light "sorry" or "thanks for the trouble." Starting with it before a request is the polite default.
Phrase Breakdown
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.
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