Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| すみません | sumimasen | [sɨmʲima̠sẽ̞ɴ] (narrow) | formal |
| 申しわけございません | mōshiwake gozaimasen | formal | |
| 失礼しました | shitsurei shimashita |
The term すみません is a versatile and common way to say excuse me. It can be used to get someone's attention, to apologize for minor inconveniences or to ask for assistance. For more specific contexts, you might use お邪魔します to apologize for intruding or disturbing someone, such as when entering a home or an office or 失礼します to politely excuse yourself or interrupt someone during a formal meeting.
What does it mean word for word?
This is used as a polite way to express that one's debt of gratitude or apology is never-ending.
Which one should you use?
While すみません serves as a general apology or an attention-getter, 失礼しました is used specifically to apologize for a breach of etiquette or for leaving a room or a conversation. For very heavy or significant apologies, such as in business or when addressing superiors, 申しわけございません is the appropriate choice.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
すみません is a formal way to express oneself. For much more formal and heavy apologies in professional settings, use 申しわけございません. In casual spoken Japanese among friends or coworkers, the colloquial version すいません is often used, which is a casual pronunciation of すみません.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Osaka region, the variation すみまへん is used with the same meaning as すみません.
How do you pronounce it?
sumimasen
Did you know?
- In Japanese culture, saying すみません can serve a dual purpose: it can be used to apologize for a mistake or to express a polite 'thank you' when someone has gone out of their way for you.
- The word すみません literally translates to 'it is not settled' or 'it cannot be finished', referring to the idea that your debt of apology or gratitude remains unresolved.
- A deep bow often accompanies 申しわけございません in professional settings, as the verbal apology is considered incomplete without the physical gesture.
Examples in context
- すみません。Excuse me.This sentence shows how to use すみません as a standalone greeting to get attention.Tatoeba #408301 by bunbuku, translation #433504 by CK
- 遅刻してすみません。Excuse me for being late.This sentence demonstrates using すみません as an apology for being late.Tatoeba #126671 by small_snow, translation #277407 by CK
- すみません、通ります。Excuse me, I'm coming through.This sentence shows using すみません to get through a crowd.Tatoeba #3277390 by tommy_san, translation #2991970 by CK
- 119 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki accidentally bumps into Ren in a hallway.
- 美咲 Misakiあ、すみません！A, sumimasen!Oh, I'm sorry!
- 蓮 Ren大丈夫ですよ。Daijōbu desu yo.It is okay.
- 美咲 Misaki本当にすみません。Hontō ni sumimasen.I am truly sorry.
- 蓮 Ren気にしないでください。Ki ni shinaide kudasai.Please don't worry about it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “excuse me” translations and entries すみません, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries すみません, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
