失礼(しつれい)

しつれい
na-adjective, noun
rude; impolite; discourteous
communication
See also: 失礼(しつれい)する (verb form)
1. rude, impolite, discourteous
Describes behavior or words that lack proper manners or respect.
そんなことを言(い)うのは失礼(しつれい)です。
It's rude to say such things.
Predicate usage
失礼(しつれい)な態度(たいど)を取(と)らないでください。
Please don't take a rude attitude.
Modifier usage
失礼(しつれい)なことを言(い)ってすみません。
I'm sorry for saying something rude.
失礼(しつれい)な人(ひと)だね。
What a rude person.
失礼(しつれい)にあたる。
It would be considered rude.
2. excuse me (set phrase)
Used as a polite phrase when interrupting, leaving, or apologizing for minor inconveniences.
失礼(しつれい)します。
Excuse me. (when entering/leaving)
Set expression for entering/leaving
失礼(しつれい)しました。
I'm sorry. / Excuse me. (apologizing)
Apologizing for rudeness
お先(さき)に失礼(しつれい)します。
Excuse me for leaving before you.
When leaving work/a gathering before others
失礼(しつれい)ですが、お名前(なまえ)は？
Excuse me, but what is your name?
ちょっと失礼(しつれい)。
Excuse me for a moment.

失礼(しつれい) works as a na-adjective (失礼(しつれい)な人(ひと), a rude person) and as a noun in set phrases (失礼(しつれい)します).

Common expressions

  • 失礼(しつれい)します: said when entering someone's room, leaving, or ending a phone call
  • 失礼(しつれい)しました: an apology for a small lapse just made
  • お先(さき)に失礼(しつれい)します: said when leaving work before colleagues
  • 失礼(しつれい)ですが…: "Excuse me, but…" before a personal question

Usage

Similar words

  • すみません: apologizes for trouble caused; 失礼(しつれい)します announces the act itself and needs no fault
  • ごめんなさい: a casual apology between equals or to children; not a greeting
  • 無礼(ぶれい): rude in a stronger, more formal register; never a set greeting
  • 礼儀(れいぎ): manners, etiquette (the standard that 失礼(しつれい) falls short of)

Related Words

Synonym: 無礼(ぶれい)
Related: 礼儀(れいぎ)
Compare: すみません
Antonym: 丁寧(ていねい)
Compare: 非常識(ひじょうしき) (lack of common sense)
Compare: 不敬(ふけい) (disrespectful)
Compare: 口(くち)が悪(わる)い (sharp-tongued)
Compare: ごめんなさい (a casual apology between equals…)
Compare: 無礼者(ぶれいもの) (insolent fellow)
core
Added 2026.1.8 21:57 · Revised 2026.10.4 10:54
01000/01247_shitsurei