How to Say ‘Excuse me’ in Japanese
すみません
すみません
💬 Usage Tip: Use 'sumimasen' to get someone's attention politely.
🇯🇵 In Japan: Japanese people often use [すみません] not only to apologize but also as a polite way to start a conversation.
Word-by-Word Breakdown
すみすみ
[sumi]
corner
A word that can mean a 'corner', but here part of 'sumimasen', an expression of apology or attention.
すみません、通れますか？
Excuse me, can I pass through?
ませませ
[mase]
not
Negative marker, part of the phrase 'sumimasen', used in negative or polite expressions.
間に合いません。
I can't make it.
んん
[n]
suffix
A suffix that completes 'sumimasen', making it polite.
すみません、道を教えてください。
Excuse me, could you tell me the way?
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