Use すみません to get attention or apologise, and recognise how it can acknowledge the trouble someone took to help.

The idea

すみません can attract attention before a question, apologise for a small inconvenience, or acknowledge someone’s effort. The situation and what follows clarify the meaning. ありがとうございます directly expresses thanks.

Patterns to compare
JapaneseMeaning
すみません、駅えきはどこですか。Excuse me, where is the station?
すみません、遅おくれました。Excuse me, I am late.
手伝てつだってくれて、すみません。ありがとうございます。Sorry to trouble you, and thank you for helping me.
手伝てつだってくれて、ありがとうございます。Thank you for helping me.

Examples

  • すみません、駅えきはどこですか。Excuse me, where is the station?
  • すみません、これはいくらですか。Excuse me, how much is this?
  • すみません、コーヒーを一杯いっぱいください。Excuse me, one coffee, please.
  • すみません、遅おくれました。Excuse me, I am late.
  • 手伝てつだってくれて、すみません。ありがとうございます。Sorry to trouble you, and thank you for helping me.
  • 手伝てつだってくれて、ありがとうございます。Thank you for helping me.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

Do not assume すみません always means an apology: before a question it may simply mean “excuse me”. For a serious mistake, a more formal apology may be needed.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose and fill the blank: ＿、駅えきはどこですか。（すみません／おやすみなさい）

    Show answer or example answer

    すみません

    すみません politely attracts attention before asking where the station is.

  2. Choose and fill the blank: ＿、遅おくれました。（すみません／こんにちは）

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    すみません

    すみません apologises here for arriving late.

  3. Choose and fill the blank: 手伝てつだってくれて、＿。（ありがとうございます／おやすみなさい）

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    ありがとうございます

    ありがとうございます directly thanks someone for helping; it is not a bedtime greeting.

Use it today

Practise asking for directions, arriving late and thanking someone who helped you.