excusez-moi
/ɛk.sky.ze.mwa/
The English phrase 'excuse me' can be translated into French using excusez-moi. Wiktionary also lists mes excuses and je m'excuse.
Meaning: sorry, as apology (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| excusez-moi | /ɛk.sky.ze.mwa/ |
| mes excuses | |
| je m'excuse |
Pardon is a common and versatile way to say excuse me in French.
Which one should you use?
Use excusez-moi when addressing a stranger, a superior or a group of people. Excuse-moi is the informal version of excusez-moi.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase mes excuses is a more formal way to offer apologies, often used in written correspondence or more serious social situations.
How do you pronounce it?
The 4-syllable pronunciation is /ɛk.sky.ze.mwa/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using je m'excuse to apologize to someone, as it can be perceived as grammatically correct but socially rude, as it implies you are pardoning yourself rather than asking for pardon.
Did you know?
- Using pardon in a sharp, descending tone can actually function as a reprimand to someone who has bumped into you, effectively meaning 'watch where you are going'.
- The word excuse shares its lineage with the Latin 'excusare', which originally meant to 'drive out' or 'remove' a fault or an accusation.
- In some contexts, if you did not hear what someone said, saying Comment? is often preferred over Excusez-moi? to ask for a repetition.
Examples in context
- Excusez-moi. Puis-je passer ?Excuse me. May I get by?This sentence is useful for asking to get by using excusez-moi.Tatoeba #11946 by dominiko, translation #51483 by CK
- Excusez-moi juste un instant.Excuse me just a moment.This sentence is useful for asking for a moment using excusez-moi.Tatoeba #7067718 by Aiji, translation #3822370 by CK
- Excusez-moi de vous déranger.Excuse me for bothering you.This sentence is useful for apologizing for a bother using excusez-moi.Tatoeba #7581945 by felix63, translation #8826448 by carlosalberto
- Pardon, madame, pouvez-vous m'indiquer le chemin?Excuse me, ma'am, can you tell me the way?
- Excusez-moi, je suis en retardExcuse me, I am late
- Désolé(e), je ne voulais pas vous dérangerSorry, I didn't mean to disturb you
- Excuse-moi, je ne suis pas d'accord avec toiExcuse me, I don't agree with you
- Je m'excuse d'avoir été impoli(e)I apologize for being rude
- 108 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo accidentally bumps into Manon in a hallway.
- HugoExcusez-moi, je ne vous avais pas vue.Excuse me, I did not see you.
- ManonCe n'est rien, Hugo.It's nothing, Hugo.
- HugoJe suis vraiment désolé.I am really sorry.
- ManonNe vous inquiétez pas.Do not worry.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “excuse me” translations and entries excusez-moi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries je, mes, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
