失礼ですね
shitsurei desu ne
To say you're rude in Japanese, use 失礼ですね (shitsurei desu ne).
失礼ですね tells someone that what they said or did was impolite. A more surprised, casual way to say it is なんでそんなに失礼なの？, meaning why are you being so rude.
What does it mean word for word?
失礼 means rudeness or impoliteness, です is the polite copula and ね at the end asks for agreement, a bit like don't you think. That ending can make the remark feel more pointed and reproachful.
Which one should you use?
Removing ね to say 失礼です turns it into a flat, direct statement. Do not confuse it with 失礼いたしました, which is a formal apology for your own rudeness.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Saying 失礼だよ instead is informal and more blunt, suited to friends or people of lower status.
How do you pronounce it?
It is romanized as shitsurei desu ne.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often add the word for you and say あなたは失礼です. It is much more natural to leave the subject out when it is clear who you mean.
Did you know?
- In Japanese business culture, saying 失礼いたします ('shitsurei itashimasu') is a standard way to say 'excuse me' before entering a room or hanging up a phone.
- In Japanese, one of the most common ways to be 'rude' is not by using an insulting word, but by using a level of politeness that is too high or too low for the situation.
- While 失礼ですね ('shitsurei desu ne') is grammatically polite, it is often used as a passive-aggressive tool to express anger.
Examples in context
- なんでそんなに失礼なの？私の気持ちを考えてよ。Why are you being so rude? Please consider my feelings.
- てめぇ、失礼すぎるな。もっと他人に配慮しろよ。Hey, you're too rude. Show more consideration for others.
- 失礼ですね。Shitsurei desu ne.You're rude.
- そんな言い方は失礼ですね。Sonna iikata wa shitsurei desu ne.That way of speaking is rude.
- 初対面の人にそれは失礼ですね。Shotaimen no hito ni sore wa shitsurei desu ne.That is rude to say to someone you just met.
Example conversation
Misaki is offended by Hiroto's blunt comment during a conversation.
- 美咲 Misaki今の言葉、失礼ですね。Ima no kotoba, shitsurei desu ne.That comment just now was rude.
- 大翔 Hirotoそんなつもりじゃなかったよ。Sonna tsumori janakatta yo.I didn't mean it that way.
- 美咲 Misakiでも、とても失礼ですよ。Demo, totemo shitsurei desu yo.But it was very rude.
- 大翔 Hirotoごめん、気を付けるよ。Gomen, ki o tsukeru yo.Sorry, I'll be careful.
