お邪魔します
おじゃまします
expression
excuse me for intruding; pardon my intrusion; hello (on entering someone's home)
1.
excuse me for intruding; pardon the interruption; (said upon entering someone's home or workspace)
A polite set phrase said when entering someone else's home, office, or private space. It acknowledges that the speaker is imposing on the host, and is expected etiquette in Japan — going without saying it would seem rude. Literally, 'I will be a bother.'
お邪魔します。
Pardon the intrusion. / Excuse me for coming in.
どうぞ、お邪魔します。
Thank you — pardon my intrusion.
Formed from お + 邪魔 ('hindrance, bother') + します (polite する). The expression is said as the speaker enters or begins to occupy the listener's space — it is not an apology after the fact.
Usage
- Standard greeting said when stepping into someone's home, usually at the genkan (entryway) after removing shoes.
- Also used when entering a coworker's office, a teacher's room, or any space where you are a guest.
- Can be used metaphorically when interrupting someone's work or conversation ('sorry to interrupt').
Common collocations
- 失礼します、お邪魔します: excuse me, pardon the intrusion (combined greeting)
- ちょっとお邪魔します: may I come in for a moment? / sorry to bother you briefly
- それでは、お邪魔します: well then, pardon the intrusion
Related words
- お邪魔しました: said when leaving (past tense; thanks for having me)
- 失礼します: excuse me — similar function, but more general (used when entering offices, starting phone calls, etc.)
- ごめんください: hello? / is anyone home? (called out at the door before entering)