What does "sumimasen" mean?
Many Japanese people say it as "Suimasen".
Many people use "suimasen" though a formal pronunciation originally is "sumimasen".
It is because "suimasen" is pronounced easily for the Japanese.
"SUMIMASEN" has 3 meanings.
Since "Sumimasen" can be used in several different situations (when requesting something, when thanking someone etc.), listen carefully to what the context is.
- SUMIMASEN for apology
- SUMIMASEN for thanks
- (CHOTTO)SUMIMASEN for "Calling and request (permission)"
1. SUMIMASEN for apology
Sumimasen is most often used as "pardon me" in Japan.
It is probably the most common phrase used to apologize.
The Japanese apologize far more frequently than American and European.
It is not too much to say that there is "Sumimasenn culture" in Japan.
Apologizing is considered a virtue in Japan.
This probably results from cultural differences between them.
Moreover, the Japanese often bows when apologizing.
The meaning of word "SUMIMASEN"
-(I'm) sorry.
-Pardon me.
English |
Japanese & Pronunciation |
|---|---|
Your dog's barking is too loud. I'm sorry. |
すみません" |
| I'm sorry I'm too late. | 大変遅くなりました。すいません。 [taihen osokunarimashita. Suimasen] |
| I'm sorry to call you so late at night. |
|
| I'm sorry for this noise. | 騒がしくして すみません。 [sawagashikuksite sumimasen] |
| I'm sorry I have kept you waiting for a long time. | お待たせしてしまって すみません。 [omatase shitesimatte sumimasen] |
| I'm sorry for the mistake. | 間違って すみません。 [machigatte sumimasen] |
| I'm sorry to trouble you. | ご迷惑をおかけして すみません" [gomeiwaku wo okake shite sumimasen] |
<Note>:
If you are apologizing that something has been done, "Sumimasen deshita" can be used.
2. SUMIMASEN for thanks
The meaning of word "SUMIMASEN"
-Thank you
English |
Japanese & Pronunciation |
|---|---|
Please have a seat. "Oh! Thank you!" |
あら、すいません！ |
English |
Japanese & Pronunciation |
|---|---|
This is a little something. You're always so kind. |
"いつもどうもすみません" |
| Thank you for your help. | 手伝ってもらって すみません [tetsudatte morattte sumimasen] |
English |
Japanese & Pronunciation |
|---|---|
Thank you for being so helpful. |
|
| Thank you for taking time out of your tight schedule. | お忙しい中、時間を割いていただいて すみません。 [oisogashii naka, jikan wo saite itadaite sumimasen] |
| I have no words to thank you. | ほんとにどうもすみません [honto ni doumo sumimasen] |
<Note>:
"Honto ni doumo sumimasen" can be used to apologize, too.
3. (CHOTTO) SUMIMASEN for "calling and request (permission)"
Sumimasen often is used as "anoo...sumimasen" in combination with the hesitation noise "anoo...".
The meaning of word "SUMIMASEN"
-Excuse me.
-I beg your pardon.
a. When you want to go through in a crowd on a street.
"Excuse me, may I get through, please?"
"あの～すみません、ちょっと通してもらえますか？"
[anoo...sumimasen, chotto tooshite morae masuka?]
b. At the shop:
Customer: Sumimasen.(Excuse me.)
Shopkeeper: Hai, irasshaimase.(Yes, May I help you, sir?)
c.At the office:
anoo...Sumimasen.(Excuse me.) Mensetsu ni ukagattan desuga.(I'm here for an interview)
d. At the bar
Sumimasen.(Excuse me.) beer wo onegai shimasu.(May I have another glass of beer?)
This "SUMIMASEN" is used by various situations.
English |
Japanese & Pronunciation |
|---|---|
|
|
|
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すみません、お手洗いをお借りしてもいいですか？ [sumimasen, otearai wo okari shitemo ii desuka?] |
| May I ask you a question? | すみません、ひとつ聞いてもいいですか[sumimasen, hitotsu kiitemo iidesuka?] |
| Can I borrow this book? | すみません、この本を借りていいですか[sumimasen, kono hon wo karite ii desuka?] |
| Do you mind if I smoke here? | すみません、ここでタバコを吸っていいでしょうか？[sumimasen, kokode tabako wo sutte ii deshou ka?]" |
We(the Japanese) use the word "sumimasen" very frequently.
That will be because the word "sumimasen" is convenient word for us.
This "sumimasen" is very convenient word for Japanese people who likes "a soft expression."
By Hararie
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