お邪魔します
ojama shimasu
The Japanese phrase for "sorry for intruding" is お邪魔します (ojama shimasu).
お邪魔します is used specifically when entering someone's home, office or a private room where they are already present.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the polite prefix お, the noun 邪魔 meaning hindrance or interruption and the verb します meaning to do. Literally, it translates to "I am doing an intrusion/hindrance".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The polite standard お邪魔します is used with acquaintances, neighbors or superiors. For close friends or family members, you can use the informal version お邪魔するよ. If you need to express that you are truly sorry for bothering someone, the formal O jama shite orimasu is appropriate.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past tense form お邪魔しました is used when leaving the room or home to apologize for the time you spent there.
How do you pronounce it?
ojama shimasu
Did you know?
- The word 邪魔 contains the character for 'evil' or 'wicked' (邪). Historically, it referred to malevolent spirits or demons that hindered human activity.
- While English speakers say 'sorry for intruding' to apologize for a nuisance, the Japanese phrase お邪魔します functions more like a ritualized 'hello' when entering a room. It is a standard social lubricant rather than a sincere admission of guilt.
- In Japanese culture, the concept of 'intrusion' is often tied to the idea of 'meiwaku', or causing trouble for others. Using お邪魔します is a way of acknowledging that your mere presence is a potential disturbance to the social harmony of the room.
Examples in context
- お邪魔します。失礼します。Ojama shimasu. Shitsurei shimasu.Sorry for intruding. Excuse me.
- では、お邪魔します。Dewa, ojama shimasu.Well, sorry for intruding.
Example conversation
Ren arrives at Yui's apartment for a study session.
- 蓮 Renお邪魔します。Ojama shimasu.Sorry for intruding.
- 結衣 Yuiどうぞ、入ってください。Douzo, haitte kudasai.Please, come in.
- 蓮 Renありがとうございます。Arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you.
- 結衣 Yui準備はできていますよ。Junbi wa dekite imasu yo.I am ready.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries お邪魔します, CC BY-SA 4.0.
