If you have interacted with Japanese people, you might have heard people use “Sumimasen” quite often. It is such a useful, yet complicated phrase. Let’s master “Sumimasen.”
1. Understanding the basics of “Sumimasen”
1-1 Origin of “Sumimasen”
Sumimasen (すみません / su-mi-ma-sen) comes from the verb 済む (sumu), “to be finished/settled.” The polite form of “すまぬ” (which combines the verb “済む (sumu)” with the negative auxiliary verb “ぬ”) is “すみません (sumimasen).”
The negative polite form すみません (sumimasen) literally means “it isn’t settled,” i.e., “this can’t be squared away so easily.” That sense of unfinished obligation became a versatile apology—and, by extension, a way to thank someone for the trouble they took.
Common related forms:
- すみませんでした (sumimasen deshita): past/complete apology (“I’m sorry for what happened”).
- すいません (suimasen): everyday casual pronunciation you’ll hear often.
1-2 “Sumimasen” and Japanese values
Japanese conversation prioritizes wa (和, harmony), enryo (遠慮, restraint), and omoiyari (思いやり, empathy). Sumimasen aligns with these by:
- Softening impact when you inconvenience someone (“pardon me,” “excuse me”).
- Acknowledging a social debt when someone helps you (“thank you—sorry for the trouble”).
- Keeping requests gentle, signaling humility rather than entitlement.
Think of sumimasen as a polite cushion. It’s the safest single word to:
- Apologize for small mistakes,
- Show gratitude with humility,
- Get attention at a shop or restaurant, or
- Preface a request/permission so it lands softly.
2. Usages of “Sumimasen”
2-1 “I’m sorry”
Use すみません (sumimasen) for light apologies—bumping someone, being slightly late, or causing small trouble. For completed past events or stronger remorse, use すみませんでした (sumimasen deshita).
Used when you bump into someone, arrive a bit late, or cause minor trouble. For stronger apologies, say “すみませんでした.”
Example:
- 遅れてすみません。
Okurete sumimasen. — Sorry I’m late. - 昨日、お電話に出られずすみませんでした。
Kino, odenwa ni derarezu sumimasen deshita. — I’m sorry I couldn’t answer your call yesterday.
Serious, formal apologies often use 申し訳ありません（でした） (mōshi wake arimasen [deshita]) rather than sumimasen.
2-2 “Thank you”
Sumimasen can mean “thank you (and sorry for the trouble).” Use it when someone goes out of their way for you.
Used when someone goes out of their way to help you—showing both gratitude and awareness of the trouble caused.
Example:
- どうもすみません。
Dōmo sumimasen. — Thank you so much. - すみません、助かりました。
Sumimasen, tasukarimashita. — Thank you, that really helped. - 雨なのに来てくださって、すみません。
Ame na noni kite kudasatte, sumimasen. — Thank you for coming despite the rain.
If there’s no “trouble” involved, pure thanks ありがとうございます (arigatō gozaimasu) is better.
2-3 “Pardon me”
Use it to ease small intrusions—passing in front of someone, squeezing through a crowd.
Used to politely ease through a crowd or when getting off a train: 「すみません、降ります。」
Example:
- すみません、降ります。
Sumimasen, orimasu. — Excuse me, I’m getting off (on the train or bus). - すみません、通ります。
Sumimasen, tōrimasu. — Pardon me, coming through. - すみません、ちょっと失礼します。
Sumimasen, chotto shitsurei shimasu. — Excuse me a moment.
Entering/Leaving offices or classrooms usually takes 失礼します／失礼しました rather than sumimasen.
2-4 To get someone’s attention
Raise your hand slightly and say すみません to call staff in restaurants/shops.
In restaurants or shops, raise your hand slightly and say 「すみません」 to call staff politely.
- すみません、注文いいですか。
Sumimasen, chūmon ii desu ka? — Excuse me, may I order? - すみません、これ見せてください。
Sumimasen, kore misete kudasai. — Excuse me, could I see this one?
2-5 To ask for permission to do something
Preface a request with sumimasen to soften it.
Preface a request with 「すみません」 to make it more polite:
「すみません、ここで写真を撮ってもいいですか。」 — Excuse me, may I take a photo here?
- すみません、ここで写真を撮ってもいいですか。
Sumimasen, kokode shashin o totte mo ii desu ka? — Excuse me, may I take a photo? - すみませんが、窓を開けてもらえますか。
Sumimasen ga, mado o akete moraemasu ka? — Sorry, could you open the window?
2-6 More usages of “Sumimasen”
- Phone/email openers (gentle approach):
すみません、◯◯の件でお電話しました。
Sumimasen, ___ no ken de o-denwa shimashita. — Sorry to bother you; I’m calling about ___. - Checking availability:
すみません、今お時間よろしいですか。
Sumimasen, ima o-jikan yoroshii desu ka? — Excuse me, do you have a moment? - Casual variants you’ll hear: すいません (suimasen) (very common), すんません (slangy), すまん (blunt/masculine). Use すみません as your safe default.
3. “Sumimasen” and other expressions
3-1 “Sumimasen” vs. “Gomennasai”
Both mean “I’m sorry,” but they don’t feel the same.
Nuance & context
- すみません (sumimasen): Polite, versatile. Good for small mistakes, bothering someone, or opening a request. Natural with strangers, staff, teachers, coworkers.
- ごめんなさい (gomennasai): More personal/emotional. Common with family, friends, or when you directly wronged someone. Short ごめん is very casual.
Depth / formality
- Light → すみません
- Completed/stronger → すみませんでした
- Serious/formal (work) → 申し訳ありません（でした）
- Personal regret (close relationships) → ごめんなさい／ごめん
Examples
- Train jostle (public): すみません。 Sumimasen.
- Missed a deadline at work: 申し訳ありませんでした。 Mōshi wake arimasen deshita.
- Forgot a friend’s call: ごめん、寝ちゃってた。 Gomen, nechatta.
Rule of thumb: If you’d say “excuse me” in English, choose すみません; if you owe someone a heartfelt apology in a close relationship, ごめんなさい works.
3-2 “Sumimasen” vs. “Arigatō”
Only sumimasen can mean “thank you (and sorry for the trouble).” Use it when the other person made an effort or you caused them extra work.
Nuance
- ありがとうございます (arigatō gozaimasu): Pure gratitude.
- すみません: Gratitude + apology tone for the inconvenience.
Choose wisely
- Staff holds the door / gives directions:
→ すみません、ありがとうございます。
Sumimasen, arigatō gozaimasu. — “Sorry to trouble you—and thank you.” - Friend gives you a gift (no “trouble” implied):
→ ありがとう！ (not just sumimasen) - Colleague stays late to help you:
→ すみません、助かりました。本当にありがとうございます。
If you’re unsure: say すみません first to acknowledge the imposition, then follow with ありがとうございます to express clear thanks.
4. Let’s practice “sumimasen” with examples
Same word, different vibe. The nuance of すみません shifts with intonation and voice brightness.
* All audio in this section is created by ondoku3.com
4-1 “I’m sorry”
すみません。
Sumimasen. — I’m sorry.
遅れてすみませんでした。
Okurete sumimasen deshita. — I’m sorry I’m late.
With a regretful expression, while bowing your head.
4-2 “Thank you”
すみません、助かりました。
Sumimasen, tasukarimashita. — Thank you, that really helped.
どうもすみません。
Dōmo sumimasen. — Thank you so much.
With a smile. This can sometimes be accompanied by a gesture of placing your hand on your chest.
4-3 “Pardon me”
すみません、通ります。
Sumimasen, tōrimasu. — Pardon me, coming through.
すみません、ちょっと失礼します。
Sumimasen, chotto shitsurei shimasu. — Excuse me a moment.
In Japan, when you need to cross in front of someone or move through a crowd, you might use a specific gesture. This involves holding one hand vertically, slightly away from your body, and making a small, repeated up-and-down motion.
When doing this, it’s common to slightly bend at the waist while saying “Sumimasen” or “Mae wo toorimasu” (meaning “Pardon me” or “I’m passing through”).
4-4 To get someone’s attention
すみませーん (elongate “se,” clear rise)
Sumimaseeen — Excuse me! (to call staff)
すみません、注文いいですか。
Sumimasen, chūmon ii desu ka? — Excuse me, may I order?
Speak in a clear, projected voice, as if you are trying to make sure you’re heard from a distance.
4-5 To ask for permission to do something
すみません、ここで写真を撮ってもいいですか。
Sumimasen, kokode shashin o totte mo ii desu ka? — May I take a photo here?
すみません、今お時間よろしいですか。
Sumimasen, ima o-jikan yoroshii desu ka? — Do you have a moment?
Pattern: neutral すみません + request; keep the rise on か clear, not whiny.
5. Ready to use “Sumimasen?”
5-1 Other “sumimasen” variations
Same meaning, different register. Use すみません as your safe default; switch only when you’re sure of the tone.
| Expression | Romaji | Register / Where it fits | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| すみません | sumimasen | Polite, all-purpose | Best default in speech and writing. |
| すいません | suimasen | Casual, very common | Everyday pronunciation; OK in shops. Write すみません in emails. |
| すんません | sunmasen | Slangy/colloquial | Heard in Kansai & casual talk. |
| すまん／すまねえ | suman / sumanee | Blunt, masculine | Between close friends; not for service situations. |
| 悪いね／悪いな | warui ne/na | Casual “sorry/thanks” | Often = “thanks for the trouble.” |
| すみませんでした | sumimasen deshita | Past, stronger apology | For completed mistakes. |
| 申し訳ありません（でした） | mōshi wake arimasen (deshita) | Very formal | Serious/workplace apologies. |
| 恐れ入ります（が） | osore irimasu (ga) | Ultra-polite | “Excuse me, but …” for attention/requests in customer service. |
| 失礼します／しました | shitsurei shimasu/shimashita | Set phrase | Entering/leaving rooms, minor lapses. |
Request softener you’ll hear a lot: すみませんが、〜していただけますか。
Sumimasen ga, … shite itadakemasu ka? — “Sorry to trouble you, but could you …?”
5-2 How to respond to “sumimasen”
Reply changes with the intent (apology vs. thanks vs. attention). Here are natural go-tos:
A) They’re apologizing (small inconvenience)
- 大丈夫です。 Daijōbu desu. — It’s OK.
- いえいえ、気にしないでください。 Ieie, ki ni shinaide kudasai. — No worries.
- 問題ないです。 Mondai nai desu. — No problem.
B) They mean “thank you (and sorry)”
- いえいえ、こちらこそ。 Ieie, kochira koso. — Not at all; my pleasure.
- とんでもないです。お役に立ててよかったです。 Tondemonai desu. Oyaku ni tatete yokatta desu. — Don’t mention it; happy to help.
- どういたしまして。 Dō itashimashite. — You’re welcome.
C) They’re getting your attention (shop/restaurant)
- ただいま参ります。 Tadaima mairimasu. — Certainly; I’ll be right there.
- 少々お待ちください。 Shōshō o-machi kudasai. — One moment, please.
Mini-dialog: Apology
A：すみません、ぶつかってしまって。
Sumimasen, butsukatte shimatte. — Sorry, I bumped you.
B：大丈夫です。
Daijōbu desu. — It’s okay.
Mini-dialog: Thanks-flavored
A：すみません、手伝っていただいて。
Sumimasen, tetsudatte itadaite. — Thanks for helping me.
B：いえいえ、お気になさらず。
Ieie, okini nasarazu. — No, no, please don’t mention it.
Mini-dialog: Attention
A：すみませーん！
Sumimaseen! — Excuse me!
B：はい、ただいま伺います。
Hai, tadaima ukagaimasu. — I’ll be right with you.
With these responses and register choices, you’re ready to use すみません naturally—and to hear what the speaker really means.
Conclusion: Your Go-To Word for Politeness
As you’ve seen, sumimasen is far more than just “I’m sorry.” It’s a versatile and essential tool for navigating Japanese social interactions with humility and respect. It can be a gentle apology, a humble thank you, or a polite way to get someone’s attention.
While the nuances can seem complex, remember this simple rule: when in doubt, a polite sumimasen is almost always a safe and appropriate choice. Mastering it will make your Japanese sound more natural and considerate in any situation.
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