What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the noun お邪魔 (ojama), which literally means 'obstacle' or 'nuisance'. The word して (shite), which is the te-form of the verb meaning 'doing'. And すみません (sumimasen), meaning 'I am sorry' or 'excuse me'.
Which one should you use?
While お邪魔してすみません is an apology for the bother, the standard phrase used specifically when stepping through a doorway is お邪魔します.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For casual contexts, you can use ごめんね to say "Sorry". For more formal situations, such as interrupting a meeting or entering an office, 失礼します (I'm sorry to disturb you) is appropriate. If you need to apologize sincerely for a significant inconvenience, use the formal expression 申し訳ありません. When asking someone to go out of their way to help you, the formal phrase お手数をおかけしますが is used.
How do you pronounce it?
ojama shite sumimasen
When do people say it?
This phrase is a polite way to acknowledge the intrusion of entering a private space.
Did you know?
- The root word 邪魔 (jama) is derived from a Buddhist term referring to an obstacle that prevents one from reaching enlightenment.
- While お邪魔します is said when entering, you say お邪魔しました (in the past tense) when leaving someone's home to apologize for the time you spent being a 'nuisance'.
- In very casual settings, friends might use the slang ジャマ (jama) as a command to 'get out of my way' or 'move', removing the polite prefix お.
Examples in context
- お邪魔してすみません。I'm sorry to bother you.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase お邪魔してすみません.Tatoeba #4717925 by riumutu, translation #64416 by CK
- ごめんね 、ちょっと聞いてもいい？Sorry! Can I ask you something?
- 失礼します が、お時間よろしいでしょうか？I'm sorry to bother you, but do you have a moment?
- 申し訳ありません が、つい先程ご迷惑をおかけしましたI'm terribly sorry for the trouble I caused you a moment ago.
- お手数をおかけしますが 、これを教えていただけますか？I'm sorry to bother you, but could you please show me how to do this?
- お邪魔してすみません、中に入ってもいいですか？Ojama shite sumimasen, naka ni haitte mo ii desu ka?Sorry to bother you, may I come inside?
- 夜遅くに、お邪魔してすみません。Yoru osoku ni, ojama shite sumimasen.Sorry to bother you so late at night.
Example conversation
Kenta visits Misaki's house to return a book.
- 健太 Kenta美咲さん、お邪魔してすみません。Misaki-san, ojama shite sumimasen.Misaki, sorry to bother you.
- 美咲 Misaki健太さん、いらっしゃい！Kenta-san, irasshai!Kenta, welcome!
- 健太 Kenta本を返しに来ました。Hon o kaeshi ni kimashita.I came to return the book.
- 美咲 Misakiあ、ありがとうございます。A, arigatou gozaimasu.Oh, thank you.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
