How to Say ‘Excuse me’ in Japanese
すみません
すみません
💬 Usage Tip: Commonly used to get someone's attention or to apologize.
🇯🇵 In Japan: In Japan, politeness is highly valued, and saying [すみません] (su-mi-ma-sen) can be used in various contexts, like when entering a cafe or getting a waiter's attention.
Word-by-Word Breakdown
すみすみ
[sumi]
sumimasen
An expression used to apologize or thank someone.
すみません、道を教えてください。
Excuse me, please tell me the way.
ませませ
[mase]
masen
A polite negative verb ending in Japanese.
彼はそれを知りません。
He does not know that.
んん
[n]
(not)
Part of a verb negative form.
行きません。
I will not go.
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