1.
to excuse oneself; to take one's leave
A polite way of saying one is leaving or entering a space. Commonly used when departing from a gathering or entering someone's office or room.
お先に失礼します。
Excuse me for leaving before you.
それでは、失礼いたします。
Well then, I'll take my leave.
社長室に入るとき「失礼します」と声をかけた。
When entering the president's office, I said 'Excuse me.'
2.
to be rude; to commit a discourtesy
To do something impolite or to behave rudely toward someone.
失礼しました。
I'm sorry for being rude.
お名前を間違えるとは大変失礼しました。
I'm terribly sorry for getting your name wrong.
彼は目上の人に対して失礼なことをしてしまった。
He ended up being rude to someone senior to him.
USAGE:
This is one of the most common polite expressions in daily Japanese life. お先に失礼します is the standard phrase for leaving work before colleagues. 失礼します is used when entering someone's room or office.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- お先に失礼します (excuse me for leaving first — said when leaving work)
- 失礼いたします (humble form: I'll take my leave)
- 失礼しました (I was rude — an apology)
- 大変失礼しました (I was terribly rude)
REGISTER:
The いたします form is more formal/humble than します.