Vague expression of Japanese of Recent Article

Frankly, Japanese will be a language which respects an vague expression.

The Japanese uses an indirect, euphemistic expression to evade the trouble with others.

A vague expression with flexibility might be a lubricant that makes the communications society smooth for the Japanese.

This "Vague expression" is actually thoughtfulness for the others.

The Japanese is thoughtful with others feelings without clearly expressing the conclusion.

Another reason exists, too.

Japanese people worries about others' moods very much.
To evade the dislike from others, Japanese people answers vaguely.

That is, Japanese people are the races which respects harmony with others.

Today's theme is the expression "sumimasen."

Japanese people frequently uses word "Sumimasen or Suimasen."

If you hear carefully, you will understand that Japanese people are using the word "sumimasen" in various scenes.

This expression is mainly used in 3 meanings.

1. 謝罪[shazai] I'm sorry.

2. 感謝[kansha] Thank you.

3. 呼びかけ[yobikake] Excuse me.

If anything, "suimsen" is used than "sumimasen".

It is because "suimasen" is easier to pronounce than "sumimasen."

Even if either is used, the meaning is the same.

1. "sumimasen" for apology.

Example:

A. "Your dog's barking is too loud."

"あなたの家の犬がほえてうるさいんですけど。"
[-anata no uchi no inu ga hoete urusaindesu kedo-]

"I'm sorry."

"すみません"
[-sumimasen- ]

B. "I'm sorry I'm too late."

"大変遅くなりました。すいません。"
[-taihen osoku narimashita. Suimasen.-]

C. "I'm sorry to call you so late at night."

"夜分遅くの電話ですいません。"
-yabun osoku no denwa de suimasen-

2. Sumimasen for "Thanks"

Example :

A. "Please have a seat."

"どうぞ、座ってください。"
[douzo, suwatte kudasai.]

"Oh! Thank you very much."

"あら、すいません。"
[ara, suimasen.]

B. "This is a little something."

"つまらないものですが"
- tsumaranai mono desuga-

"You're always so kind."

"いつもどうもすみません"
[itsumo doumo sumimasen.]

3. Sumimasen for "Appeal"

Example:

A. When you want to go through in a crowd on a street.

"Excuse me, [may I get through, please?]"

"すみません、[ ちょっと通してもらえますか？]"
-sumimasen, [chotto tooshite morae masuka?]

Note : Note: Most Japanese people say only "sumimasen."

B. When you call a salesclerk on the inside of a shop (or counter) in which nobody is present.

"Excuse me !"

"すいません！"
-suimasen-

C. When someone is talking, the case you cut in on it.

"Excuse me."

"ちょっとすみません"
-chotto sumimasen-

　　or

"すいません、ちょっといいですか？"
-suimasen, chotto iidesuka?-

D. When "Someone walking in front of you" drop something.

"Excuse me, you dropped something."

"すみません、何か落としましたよ"
-sumimasen, nanika otoshi mashita yo-

We use the word "sumimasen" very frequently.
That will be because the word "sumimasen" is useful word for us.

This "sumimasen" is very useful word for Japanese people who likes "a soft expression."

By Hararie