How to Say ‘Excuse me’ in Japanese
すみません
すみません
💬 Usage Tip: Pronounced like 'sue-me-ma-sen'.
🇯🇵 In Japan: This phrase is very versatile in Japan. It can mean 'excuse me', 'sorry', or 'thank you' depending on the context.
Word-by-Word Breakdown
すみすみ
[sumi]
excuse
A word used in apologies or to get attention.
お店の中ですみませんと言った。
I said sorry (sumimasen) inside the shop.
ませませ
[mase]
not
Part of a negative form in verbs.
予約ませになっていません。
The reservation hasn't been made.
んん
[n]
end particle
Final particle in casual negative form.
行きたくないんです。
I don’t want to go.
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