すみません
sumimasen[sɨmʲima̠sẽ̞ɴ]
In Japanese, "pardon me" is expressed as すみません (sumimasen).
すみません can be used to say 'excuse me' or 'I'm sorry' when you need to grab someone's attention or apologize in a formal setting.
Meaning: sorry, as an apology (phrase)
Which one should you use?
While すみません can mean 'excuse me' to get attention, ごめんなさい is used strictly for apologies and is less appropriate for getting someone's attention. 申し訳ありません can be used to express a deeper level of apology in formal situations. すまない is a more colloquial way of expressing 'pardon me' or apologizing among close friends or peers.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form すみません is a polite way to apologize or address a stranger, making it suitable for most daily social interactions. In casual spoken Japanese, 'sumimasen' is often pronounced as すいません, which is a more relaxed, colloquial version.
How does it change in a sentence?
To apologize for something that has already happened or a completed action, use the past tense form すみませんでした.
How do you pronounce it?
sumimasen
Did you know?
- When a Japanese person says すみません while receiving a gift or a compliment, they are often using it as a humble way to say 'thank you' by acknowledging the trouble the other person took.
- The phrase すみません literally translates to 'it is not settled', implying that the debt of trouble or inconvenience caused to the other person has not yet been resolved.
- Depending on the depth of the bow that accompanies すみません, the phrase can shift from a casual 'excuse me' to a profound expression of regret.
Examples in context
- お話の途中ですみません。Pardon me for interrupting.This sentence demonstrates using すみません to apologize for an interruption.Tatoeba #226506 by tommy_san, translation #2738999 by sharptoothed
- すみません、トイレはどこですか？Pardon me, where is your restroom?This sentence shows using すみません to get someone's attention to ask for a location.Tatoeba #4593679 by tommy_san, translation #4596890 by slyfin
- すみません、コインロッカーはどこですか？Pardon me. Where are the coin-operated lockers?This sentence shows using すみません to get someone's attention to ask about lockers.Tatoeba #3010098 by tommy_san, translation #3052541 by WestofEden
- すみません、お忙しいところを失礼します。Pardon me for bothering you while you're busy.
- 申し訳ありません、迷ってしまいました。I'm sorry, I got lost.
- ごめんなさい、ちょっと待ってもらえますか？Pardon me, could you wait for a moment?
- すまない、手伝ってもらえるかな？Pardon me, could you help me?
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
In a quiet library, Himari accidentally bumps into Hinata.
- 陽葵 Himariすみません、ぶつかってしまいました。Sumimasen, butsukatte shimaimashita.Pardon me, I bumped into you.
- 陽太 Yota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.
- 陽葵 Himariすみません、本当に失礼しました。Sumimasen, hontou ni shitsurei shimashita.Pardon me, I was very rude.
- 陽太 Yotaいえいえ、大丈夫ですから。Iie iie, daijoubu desu kara.No, no, it's really fine.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 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.
