お邪魔します
ojamashimasu
ojamashimasu is the Japanese phrase for "I apologize for intruding" and is used when entering someone else's home or room.
You use お邪魔します specifically at the moment of entering a private space, such as a house, an office or a room, to acknowledge that you are intruding on their space.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built from the polite prefix o, the noun jama meaning hindrance or nuisance and the verb shimasu meaning to do.
Which one should you use?
While お邪魔します is a standard polite way to announce your entry, Ojama itashimasu is a formal variation that translates to "I humbly apologize for intruding." For an even more formal expression, Ojama sasete itadakimasu means "I humbly accept your permission to intrude." When you are leaving the space, you should use Ojamashimashita to express "Thank you for allowing me to intrude."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
お邪魔します is a polite, standard way to announce your entry. The variations Ojama itashimasu and Ojama sasete itadakimasu are used for higher levels of formality.
How do you pronounce it?
ojamashimasu
Did you know?
- The kanji for jama (邪魔) can be translated literally as 'evil' (邪) and 'demon' (魔), giving the word a surprisingly heavy, almost supernatural weight in its original components.
- While ojamashimasu is used for homes, you would not use it when entering a store or restaurant, as those are public spaces rather than private territories.
- In certain traditional settings, such as a tea ceremony or a very formal household, the phrase is delivered with a slight bow as you cross the threshold to reinforce the feeling of 'entering someone else's territory'.
Examples in context
- お邪魔します。I apologize for intruding.
- おじいちゃん、おばあちゃん、いまからお邪魔するね。Grandpa, Grandma, I'll be intruding shortly.
- お邪魔します、失礼します。Ojamashimasu, shitsureishimasu.Excuse me, I'm coming in.
- 友達の家へ行く時、お邪魔しますと言います。Tomodachi no ie e iku toki, ojamashimasu to iimasu.When going to a friend's house, you say, 'Excuse me for intruding'.
Example conversation
Youta arrives at Himari's apartment for a study session.
- 陽太 Yotaお邪魔します。Ojamashimasu.Excuse me for intruding.
- 陽葵 Himariようこそ、陽太さん！Youkoso, Youta-san!Welcome, Youta!
- 陽太 Yota今日はよろしくお願いします。Kyou wa yoroshiku onegaishimasu.I look forward to studying with you today.
- 陽葵 Himariこちらこそ、どうぞ。Kochira koso, douzo.Likewise, please come in.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries お邪魔します, CC BY-SA 4.0.
