1.
excuse me, but...; pardon me, but...
A polite phrase used before asking a personal question, making a request, or saying something that might seem rude. It softens what follows.
失礼ですが、お名前は？
Excuse me, but what is your name?
失礼ですが、おいくつですか。
Pardon me, but how old are you?
失礼ですが、以前どこかでお会いしましたか。
Excuse me, but have we met somewhere before?
失礼ですが、少し道を開けていただけますか。
Excuse me, but could you make a little room, please?
A standard polite softener used before potentially intrusive or awkward statements. Literally 'it is rude, but...' — the speaker acknowledges that what they are about to say or ask may be impolite, thereby making it more acceptable.
USAGE:
Typically used in polite or formal situations. Common before personal questions (age, name, marital status), corrections, or when approaching strangers. The が at the end functions as a softening conjunction ('but'), leaving the potentially rude nature of the request implicit.
COMMON SITUATIONS:
- Asking someone's name or age
- Approaching a stranger with a question
- Correcting someone politely
- Asking someone to move or make way
SIMILAR WORDS:
- すみませんが: excuse me, but... — similar function but more about apologizing for troubling someone
- 恐れ入りますが: I'm sorry to trouble you, but... — more formal and humble, used in business
- 申し訳ありませんが: I'm terribly sorry, but... — a stronger apology, used for greater impositions