JLPT N5
Excuse me / I'm sorry
Japanese
すみません
Sumimasen
Lesson & Usage
- [English equivalent: "Excuse me," "I'm sorry," or "Thank you."] A versatile word with three main uses: catching someone's attention (like a waiter), apologizing for minor mistakes, or saying "Thank you" for a small favor. In Japan, saying "I'm sorry to have troubled you" (Sumimasen) is often considered more polite than a simple "Thank you" (Arigatou).
Culture & Etiquette
- This comes from the verb "Sumu," which means "to finish" or "to feel at peace." "Sumi-masen" literally means "It does not end" or "My heart is not at rest." It signifies that the debt I owe you for your kindness or the regret I feel for my mistake cannot be easily settled or "finished" with just words.
