To say excuse me in Japanese, use すみません (sumimasen) to get someone's attention, call a waiter or squeeze past in a crowd; starting with あの (ano, "um") makes it gentler. When entering or leaving a room or office, say 失礼します (shitsurei shimasu). Before a personal question, use 失礼ですが (shitsurei desu ga).
- Getting attention
- すみません (sumimasen)
- Passing through
- ちょっとすみません (chotto sumimasen)
- Entering a room
- 失礼します (shitsurei shimasu)
- Before a personal question
- 失礼ですが (shitsurei desu ga)
- Level
- A1
Which Japanese excuse me fits the situation?
English uses one phrase for several jobs; Japanese splits them. すみません handles most moments with strangers, while the 失礼 phrases deal with manners: entering, leaving and intruding.
| Japanese | Romaji | Situation |
|---|---|---|
| すみません！ | sumimasen! | Calling a waiter or shop assistant |
| あの、すみません | ano, sumimasen | Stopping a stranger to ask something |
| ちょっとすみません | chotto sumimasen | Squeezing past people on a train or in a crowd |
| 失礼します | shitsurei shimasu | Entering or leaving an office, classroom or meeting room |
| 失礼ですが | shitsurei desu ga | Before a personal question: "Excuse me, but…" |
| ちょっと失礼します | chotto shitsurei shimasu | Stepping away briefly, for example to take a call |
| ごめんください | gomen kudasai | Calling out at the entrance of a house or small shop |
How do you get someone's attention in Japanese?
Lead with あの, a soft "um", then すみません. It signals that you are about to interrupt and gives the other person a moment to turn round. In restaurants, raising a hand and calling すみません! clearly is the normal way to order or ask for the bill, not a rude one.
「あの、 すみません。 クローゼット に 荷物 が あります」 と 言う。"Ano, sumimasen. Kurōzetto ni nimotsu ga arimasu" to iu.
すみません、駅はどこですか。
Sumimasen, eki wa doko desu ka.
Excuse me, where is the station?
すみません、ちょっといいですか。
Sumimasen, chotto ii desu ka.
Excuse me, have you got a moment?
すみません、注文お願いします。
Sumimasen, chūmon onegai shimasu.
Excuse me, we'd like to order.
For ordering and other requests once you have their attention, see how to say please in Japanese.
When do you say shitsurei shimasu?
失礼 means rudeness, so 失礼します says roughly "I am about to intrude": a courtesy for crossing into someone else's space. Students and employees say it after knocking on a teacher's or manager's door, and again on the way out. In a job interview it is expected at the door.
失礼します。
Shitsurei shimasu.
Excuse me (as I come in).
After knocking, before entering.
失礼ですが、お名前は？
Shitsurei desu ga, onamae wa?
Excuse me, may I ask your name?
ちょっと失礼します。
Chotto shitsurei shimasu.
Excuse me a moment.
Stepping out of a meeting or away from the table.
ごめんください。
Gomen kudasai.
Hello, is anyone there?
At someone's front door.
What mistakes do learners make with excuse me in Japanese?
- Using ごめんなさい to get attention. It only apologises; strangers expect すみません.
- Pushing through a crowd in silence. A quiet ちょっとすみません as you pass is the usual courtesy.
- Writing すいません in formal messages. Many people say it that way, but すみません is the standard spelling.
- Walking out of an office without a word. On leaving, say 失礼します or 失礼しました.
When you need to apologise rather than interrupt, see how to say sorry in Japanese.
Start a free Japanese series at A1 and hear すみません in its many jobs, with every word one tap from its meaning.
Read free in your browserFrequently asked questions
Does sumimasen mean excuse me or sorry?
Both, and sometimes thank you as well. Context decides: calling a waiter, it means excuse me; after bumping into someone, sorry; when a stranger returns something you dropped, a thank you that acknowledges the trouble.
How do you call a waiter in Japanese?
Catch their eye, raise a hand and say すみません! (sumimasen!). Some restaurants have a call button on the table instead.
What does shitsurei desu ga mean?
"Excuse me, but…" or "If you don't mind my asking…". It softens a question that might feel intrusive, as in 失礼ですが、どちら様ですか (shitsurei desu ga, dochirasama desu ka, "may I ask who you are?").
What does gomen kudasai mean?
It is what you call out at the entrance of a house or small shop when nobody is in sight: roughly "Hello, excuse me, is anyone there?". It is a little old-fashioned.