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 |
すみません is a common and versatile phrase used to say "excuse me" to get someone's attention, "sorry" for a minor mistake or even "thank you" when someone has gone out of their way to help you. Other variations include 失礼しました, which is specifically used to apologize for a breach of etiquette or for being rude and お邪魔します, which is used to say "excuse me for interrupting" or "sorry for inconveniencing you," typically when entering someone's home or office.
What does it mean word for word?
Grammatically, すみません is a negative form of a verb. It literally means "it does not end" or "it is not finished," which implies that one's debt of gratitude or apology cannot be fully settled.
Which one should you use?
While すみません serves as a general apology or a way to get attention, 失礼しました is used specifically to apologize for being rude or committing a discourtesy. Literally, the latter means "I committed a discourtesy."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
すみません is the polite standard used in daily life. For highly formal or professional settings where you need to express deep regret, use 申しわけございません, which means "I am terribly sorry." For a more casual tone among peers or acquaintances, you can say ちょっと、すみません. In very informal situations among friends or people of similar social standing, the shortened version すまん is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form すみません is the polite standard. Using the more casual すみない or すまん would be inappropriate in most social situations involving strangers or superiors.
How do you pronounce it?
sumimasen
When do people say it?
The versatility of すみません allows it to function as an apology, a way to get attention and an expression of gratitude. For example, if someone performs a kind act for you, using this phrase can serve as a way to say "thank you" for the trouble they went through.
Did you know?
- When entering a home or office, the phrase お邪魔します literally translates to 'I am going to be a hindrance'. This turns the act of visiting into a polite acknowledgment of interrupting someone's space.
- The phrase 申しわけございません is so formal that it is often used in corporate apologies to the public, even if the speaker is not personally responsible for the mistake.
- Depending on the region, you might hear people say すみません with a rising intonation to ask a question and a falling intonation to apologize.
Examples in context
- すみません。Excuse me.This is a simple way to say "Excuse me."Tatoeba #408301 by bunbuku, translation #433504 by CK
- 遅刻してすみません。Excuse me for being late.This sentence uses the form to apologize 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 uses the form to say "Excuse me, I'm coming through."Tatoeba #3277390 by tommy_san, translation #2991970 by CK
- 119 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a cafe, Hiroto accidentally spills a little water on Misaki's bag.
- 大翔 Hirotoすみません、汚してしまいました。Sumimasen, yogoshite shimaimashita.I am sorry, I have made it dirty.
- 美咲 Misaki大丈夫ですよ、気にしないでください。Daijoubu desu yo, ki ni shinaide kudasai.It's okay, please don't worry about it.
- 大翔 Hiroto本当にすみません。Hontou ni sumimasen.I am truly sorry.
- 美咲 Misakiいえいえ、大丈夫ですから。Iie ie, daijoubu desu kara.No, no, it really is fine.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “excuse me” translations and entries すみません, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
