How to Say Excuse Me in Japanese like a Native Speaker

2025/07/08

Mastering how to say “excuse me” in Japanese is essential for anyone wanting to communicate respectfully in Japan. Unlike English, where “excuse me” is a catch-all phrase, Japanese has multiple expressions depending on the situation, relationship, and level of formality required. Using the wrong phrase can mark you as a beginner or, worse, come across as rude in certain contexts.

The complexity stems from Japan’s deeply ingrained culture of respect and social hierarchy. What works perfectly in casual conversation with friends might be completely inappropriate in a business meeting or when speaking to elders. However, understanding these nuances is what separates tourist-level Japanese from native-like communication.

This comprehensive guide will teach you exactly when and how to use each “excuse me” expression like a native speaker. You’ll learn the fundamental phrases that work in any situation, discover the subtle differences between formal and casual expressions, and understand the accompanying gestures that make your communication truly authentic. Whether you’re navigating crowded Tokyo streets, conducting business meetings, or building friendships, you’ll have the confidence to excuse yourself appropriately in every situation.

Basic “Excuse Me” That Can Be Used with Anyone, Anytime

すみません (Sumimasen) – The Universal Solution

すみません (sumimasen) is undoubtedly the most versatile “excuse me” expression in Japanese, used in a variety of contexts from seeking attention to expressing regret or gratitude. This is your safest choice when in doubt, as it works appropriately in most situations regardless of who you’re speaking to.

Common Situations for すみません

• Getting someone’s attention
  “すみません、ちょっとお伺いしてもいいですか？” (Sumimasen, chotto ukagai shitemo ii desu ka?) – “Excuse me, may I ask you something?”
  
• Apologizing for minor inconveniences
  When you accidentally bump into someone or need to interrupt briefly
  
• Expressing gratitude
  In situations where someone helps you or goes out of their way
  
• Asking for passage
  “すみませんが、道を通らせていただけますか？” (Sumimasen ga, michi o toorase te itadakemasu ka?) – “Excuse me, may I pass through?”

The Flexibility of すみません in Different Contexts

すみません (sumimasen) can be translated as “I’m sorry,” “Excuse me,” “Thank you,” or “Pardon me,” but that doesn’t mean you should use it in every situation. The beauty of this phrase lies in its adaptability – native speakers understand the intended meaning from context.

Tone and Delivery Tips

• Use a slightly rising intonation when seeking attention
• Lower, more apologetic tone when expressing regret. Quick, light delivery when passing through crowds
• Slower, more deliberate pace when making formal requests

Cultural Context and Appropriate Usage

In Japanese, the indirectness of language reflects the culture’s value on harmony and non-confrontation. When you use phrases like “sumimasen,” you’re not just saying “excuse me”; you’re also indicating your awareness of others’ comfort and your intent to maintain harmony.

This cultural awareness is crucial for sounding native. Japanese speakers use すみません not just to excuse behavior, but to acknowledge that they’re conscious of social dynamics and respectful of others’ space and time.

Polite “Excuse Me” for First Meetings and Formal Situations

失礼します (Shitsurei Shimasu) – Formal Acknowledgment of Rudeness

失礼します (Shitsurei shimasu): This formal phrase means “I commit a rudeness” and is used when entering or exiting a room, or when performing an action that might disturb others. It shows a high level of respect and awareness of one’s actions.

When to Use 失礼します

Situation	Example Usage	English Meaning
Entering a room	失礼します	Excuse me for entering/intruding
Leaving early	失礼します	Excuse me for leaving
Interrupting	失礼します	Excuse me for interrupting
Hanging up phone	失礼します	Excuse me for ending the call

お邪魔します (Ojama Shimasu) – Acknowledging Intrusion

お邪魔します (Ojamashimasu): Translating directly to “I’m going to be in the way,” this phrase is used when entering someone’s home or workspace, acknowledging that you are intruding into their space.

This phrase is particularly important when visiting someone’s home or private office. “Ojama shimasu” literally means, “I’m going to get in your way” or ” I will disturb you.” It is used as a polite greeting when entering someone’s home.

Proper Usage Protocol

• Say it upon entering someone’s home
• Use when first entering a colleague’s office
• Appropriate when joining a meeting already in progress
• Follow with a slight bow for maximum politeness

ちょっと (Chotto) – Soft Attention-Getting

ちょっと (Chotto): A softer and indirect way of getting someone’s attention or prefacing a request, “chotto” can imply a need to pass by or a prelude to a polite request.

This incredibly useful word softens your approach and makes requests feel less imposing. Native speakers often combine it with other phrases for enhanced politeness.

Business “Excuse Me” Expressions and Professional Etiquette

Keigo and Humble Forms in Professional Settings

失礼します(shitsurei shimasu; excuse me) → 失礼いたします (shitsurei itashimasu) – The business world requires elevated language forms called keigo. The humble form 失礼いたします shows greater respect and is essential for professional communication.

Essential Business “Excuse Me” Phrases

• 失礼いたします (Shitsurei itashimasu): Most formal version for superior-subordinate interactions
• お先に失礼します (Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu): “Excuse me for leaving before you” – mandatory when leaving work
• ちょっと失礼します (Chotto shitsurei shimasu): When temporarily leaving a meeting or conversation

Workplace Etiquette and Timing

お先に失礼します。 Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu. Excuse me for leaving before you. It’s considered rude to leave a workplace without saying this, unless you are the very last person left, as it is said in order to address the fact that you are going home while your colleagues are still working.

Business Scenario Guidelines:

Context	Appropriate Phrase	Level of Formality
Entering boss’s office	失礼いたします	Highest
Leaving work early	お先に失礼いたします	High
Interrupting meetings	失礼いたします	High
Phone conversations	失礼いたします	High
Email sign-offs	失礼いたします	Medium-High

Meeting and Phone Call Etiquette

You can also use 失礼します before you hang up a phone call. In English we may say “good bye” when finishing up a call, however in Japanese it’s more common to use 失礼します (shitsurei shimasu).

Professional phone etiquette in Japan requires specific closing phrases that acknowledge you’re ending the conversation, which could be seen as cutting off the other person.

Casual “Excuse Me” for Close Relationships

Informal Alternatives for Friends and Family

In casual situations, you may want to use “gomen” or “gomen ne” instead, which are more casual ways of saying “I’m sorry” or “Excuse me.”

Casual Expression Hierarchy

• ごめん (Gomen): Very casual, friends and family only
• ごめんね (Gomen ne): Casual with slight softening, close friends
• ちょっと (Chotto): Casual attention-getter
• あの (Ano): Hesitant way to get attention

Understanding Relationship Dynamics

失礼 without the します verb at the end is a more casual way of excusing yourself. You would say this among friends or family. A great example of this would be a dad burping at the family table and saying, “失礼,” or “Excuse me.”

The level of casualness you can use depends entirely on your relationship with the person and the social context. Using overly casual language with someone you should respect can damage relationships.

Safe Casual Usage Guidelines

• Use with people significantly younger than you
• Appropriate with close friends of similar age
• Safe within family contexts
• Avoid with anyone you’ve just met, regardless of age

Building Closer Relationships Through Language

Moving from formal to casual language is a sign of growing friendship in Japan. However, this transition should be natural and ideally initiated by the Japanese person. Forcing casual language too early can create awkwardness.

Gestures and Body Language When Saying “Excuse Me”

The Classic “Chopping” Hand Gesture

Japanese people say Chotto sumimasen (“Excuse me”) while walking through a crowd with this gesture. There is a particular gesture to use when you want to pass in front of someone in Japan. Japanese people will make a slight bow and shake their hand upwards and downwards.

Proper Hand Movement Technique:

• Flatten your hand with palm facing sideways
• Make gentle up-and-down motions
• Accompany with slight head bow
• Always say “すみません” while gesturing

Bowing as Universal Communication

If you don’t know a single word of Japanese, a slight bow can act as a handshake, a “thank you,” and an “excuse me/I’m sorry.” It is generally an understood act of respect, so it’s hard to go wrong if this is your choice of response if you’re at a loss for words as well.

Bowing Guidelines for Different Situations:

Situation	Bow Depth	Duration	Additional Notes
Casual excuse me	Slight nod	1 second	Head only
Formal apology	15-30 degrees	2-3 seconds	From waist
Business greeting	30 degrees	2-3 seconds	Hold briefly
Deep apology	45+ degrees	3+ seconds	Very formal

Hand Positioning and Cultural Sensitivity

If they’re holding up one hand in front of their face but not moving it, that means “excuse me” and they probably want to get past you.

Important Gesture Guidelines:

• Never point directly at people (use open palm instead)
• While it is okay to point your finger at yourself, it is never okay to point at a person unless they are your friend.
• Keep hand movements gentle and controlled
• Combine gestures with appropriate verbal expressions

Reading Others’ Body Language

Understanding when others are trying to excuse themselves helps you respond appropriately. If someone is waving one hand in front of their face, it means that they don’t know the answer to your question or they’re trying to tell you that they can’t speak English.

Common Signals to Recognize:

• Single raised hand (stationary) = wants to pass
• Waving hand in front of face = “I don’t know/understand”
• Slight bow with eye contact = acknowledgment/greeting
• Chopping hand motion = requesting passage through crowd

Integration with Verbal Communication:

• Please don’t forget to say Chotto sumimasen (“Excuse me”) when you do this gesture and pass through.
• Gestures without words can seem rude
• Match gesture intensity to situation formality
• Practice combinations until they feel natural

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