1.
excuse me; pardon me; goodbye (polite)
a polite expression used when entering or leaving a room, interrupting someone, or taking one's leave; literally 'I am being rude'
失礼します。田中と申しますが。
Excuse me. My name is Tanaka.
お先に失礼します。
Excuse me for leaving before you. (Said when leaving work before colleagues.)
それでは失礼します。本日はありがとうございました。
Well then, I'll take my leave. Thank you for today.
会議中失礼しますが、お電話が入っております。
Excuse me for interrupting the meeting, but there is a phone call for you.
One of the most essential polite expressions in Japanese. Used in multiple situations:
- When entering someone's office or room
- When leaving before others (お先に失礼します)
- When ending a phone call or meeting
- When interrupting someone
- As a polite goodbye
The past tense form 失礼しました is used when apologizing for something already done ("I'm sorry for the rudeness").
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- お先に失礼します: excuse me for leaving first (workplace farewell)
- 失礼しました: I'm sorry (for what I just did)
- 失礼いたします: excuse me (more humble/formal)
- それでは失礼します: well then, I'll take my leave
SIMILAR WORDS:
- すみません: excuse me, sorry — more general and casual; used for apologies and getting attention
- 恐れ入ります: I'm very sorry to trouble you — more humble and deferential
- ごめんください: excuse me (when visiting someone's home) — used when entering someone else's space