すみません

interjection

excuse me, sorry, thank you

1. excuse me

Used to get someone's attention or when passing by someone.

すみません。

Excuse me.

すみません、駅(えき)はどこですか。

Excuse me, where is the station?

すみません、通(とお)してください。

Excuse me, please let me through.

すみません、注文(ちゅうもん)をお願(ねが)いします。

Excuse me, I'd like to order.

すみません、この近(ちか)くに銀行(ぎんこう)はありますか。初(はじ)めて来(き)たのでわかりません。

Excuse me, is there a bank nearby? I don't know because it's my first time here.

2. I'm sorry

Used to apologize for minor inconveniences or mistakes.

遅(おく)れてすみません。

Sorry for being late.

すみません、間違(まちが)えました。

Sorry, I made a mistake.

待(ま)たせてすみません。

Sorry for making you wait.

お忙(いそが)しいところすみません。

Sorry to bother you when you're busy.

昨日(きのう)は行(い)けなくてすみませんでした。仕事(しごと)が終(お)わらなかったのです。

I'm sorry I couldn't go yesterday. My work wasn't finished.

3. thank you

Used to express gratitude, especially when someone has gone out of their way for you.

わざわざすみません。

Thank you for going out of your way.

すみません、ありがとうございます。

Thank you very much. (I'm sorry to trouble you.)

手伝(てつだ)ってくれてすみません。

Thank you for helping me.

いつもすみません。本当(ほんとう)に助(たす)かります。

Thank you always. You're really a big help.

荷物(にもつ)を持(も)ってくれてすみません。重(おも)かったでしょう。本当(ほんとう)にありがとうございます。

Thank you for carrying my bags. They must have been heavy. Thank you very much.

すみません is one of the most useful expressions in Japanese. It can mean 'excuse me,' 'sorry,' or 'thank you' depending on context. It's often used instead of ありがとう when someone has made an effort for you, acknowledging the trouble they took. すいません is a more casual pronunciation.

basic

Added 2026.1.7 21:49 · Revised 2026.2.21 23:01

00500/00998_sumimasen