How to Say ‘Excuse me’ in Japanese
すみません
すみません
💬 Usage Tip: Use [すみません] to politely grab someone's attention.
🇯🇵 In Japan: [すみません] is also used profoundly as an apology in Japan.
Word-by-Word Breakdown
すみすみ
[sumi]
sorry/excuse me
Used to apologize or to get someone's attention.
店員さん、すみません。
Excuse me, waiter.
ませませ
[mase]
not
Part of the negative verb conjugation.
まだ準備ができていませ。
I am not ready yet.
んん
[n]
not
Commonly used as a negative ending for verbs in polite speech.
すみません、行けません。
Sorry, I cannot go.
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