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N5 · Phrase guide

Sumimasen — Excuse Me, Sorry, and Thanks

すみません

すみません

Excuse me / I'm sorry / Thank you (light)

Nuance

Lighter than ごめんなさい and more versatile than 申し訳ございません. The Swiss Army knife of daily Japanese.

Cultural note

Restaurant staff calls, bumping someone on a train, and thanking someone who went out of their way—all use すみません.

Examples

  • すみません、メニューをください。

    Excuse me, may I have the menu?

    Calling a waiter

  • すみません、ぶつかってしまいました。

    Sorry, I bumped into you.

    On a crowded train

Common mistakes

  • Using ごめんなさい for bumping a stranger (too personal)
  • Using すみません in a formal business apology (too light)

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Related phrases

すみません vs ごめんなさいありがとうございます