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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