Sumimasen: 1 Japanese Word, 3 Meanings (Excuse Me, Sorry, Thank You)

Home › Japanese phrases
Phrase guideGuide: Aya (AI presenter)
すみませんsu-mi-ma-sen
1 word · 3 jobs
  1. Excuse me!
    to get someone's attention (staff in a shop or restaurant)
  2. Sorry
    a small, light apology (squeezing past on the subway)
  3. Thank you
    when someone goes out of their way for you
▶ Short videoShow in Japanese
Read in: 简体中文繁體中文한국어EspañolไทยMachine translation by Google.
Nagoya subway trainPhoto: MaedaAkihiko · CC0
Aya says it three ways

1. "Excuse me!" — getting attention

In a shop or restaurant, raise your hand and say "Sumimasen!" to call the staff.

2. "Sorry" — a small apology

Squeezing past people on a crowded subway? Say "Sumimasen" with a little bow.

3. "Thank you" — for a kindness

When someone goes out of their way to help you, "sumimasen" works as a polite thank-you. It carries the feeling of "sorry for the trouble, and thanks."

Show this screen

Not ready to say it? Point at this.

すみません
Excuse me / Sorry / Thank you
すみません、英語は話せますか？
Excuse me, do you speak English?

Use it on the way

Aya

Hi, I'm Aya. I walk you through the confusing parts of Nagoya — platforms, exits, tickets — checked on official sites.

Aya is an AI-generated presenter, and the scenes in this video are AI-generated (not filmed in Nagoya). Cover photo: MaedaAkihiko, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.

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