Excusez-moi
formal
The formal way to say excuse me in French is Excusez-moi, which uses the vous form. Je vous prie de m'excuser is even more formal, and Pardon is a neutral short form.
Meaning: polite way to get attention or apologize (phrase)
Ways to say it
| French | Note |
|---|---|
| Excusez-moi | formal |
| Pardon | neutral |
| Je vous prie de m'excuser | very formal |
Use Excusez-moi to get a stranger's attention or to squeeze past. Use Pardon when you bump into someone.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Between friends French says Excuse-moi, with tu. With an elder, a client or a stranger, Excusez-moi is correct.
How does it change in a sentence?
Excusez is the polite imperative of excuser. Veuillez m'excuser is another formal way to apologize in writing.
Did you know?
- Pardon ? is also what French speakers say when they did not hear something.
Examples in context
- Excusez-moi, monsieur, où est la gare ?Excuse me, sir, where is the station?
- Je vous prie de m'excuser pour le retard.Please excuse me for being late.
- Pardon madame, je n'ai pas fait exprès.Sorry madam, I did not do it on purpose.
Example conversation
Sarah asks a stranger named Paul for directions in Paris.
- SarahExcusez-moi, monsieur.Excuse me, sir.
- PaulOui, madame ?Yes, madam?
- SarahOù est le métro, s'il vous plaît ?Where is the metro, please?
