What would you say when you need to call someone’s attention in Japanese~?

 

This month, I will be covering many of the useful Japanese expressions that you might not find in a typical Japanese text books. These expressions are used in our daily conversations, and that you will be able to use them right away!

 

Today’s lesson is all about calling someone’s attention. When you need someone to look at you right away, what are the words/expressions you can use?

 

These are the 9 must know expressions for you! 🙂

 

1.おーい！(o-i!, hey! or Halloo)

おーい！こっちだよー！

==> Hey, I am over here!

This is pretty common, when someone might be looking for you a bit far away,not knowing you are right there. This expression is used for friends and families, not to older person or someone you don’t know. It’s a friendly expression but not so polite.

 

 

2. みなさーん！(Minasa-n!, everybody!)

When you need to get attention from large group of people, this is the expression you want to use. This is used for group of folks, not to a specific individual person. This expression is ok or safe to use for any situation, in other words, it’s considered a polite expression.

 

 

3. ちょっと！（chotto!, hey you!)

Be careful using this expression. This could sound pretty rude depending on the way you say it. Typical situation this expression is used is something like,

ちょっと、そこの　君　何　してるの？（ちょっと　そこの　きみ、　なに　してるの？）

Chotto sokono kimi, nani shiteruno? Hey you, what you doing over there?

 

 

4. しつれいですが、すみません　(Shitsu rei desuga, sumima sen, Excuse me)

This is a polite way of calling someone’s attention. You can use this to anyone. You don’t typically use this to younger children though.

しつれいですが、御手洗は　どこですか？（しつれいですが、おてあらいは　どこですか？）

Shitsurei desuga otearai wa doko desuka?  Excuse me, but can you tell me where the restroom is?

 

 

5. そこ！(Soko! Over there!)

This expression is a bit similar to the #3 above. This one is used when you need someone’s attention right away or to point at something not right.  For example, teachers will use this to spot someone falling asleep in the class.

 

 

6. あの～。(Ano-. Excuse me~)

This one is used in a very mild tone when you are not sure about something. You typically don’t use this expression when you are trying to get someone’s attention who is far away from you. Instead, if you are talking to someone who is sitting next to you, this is the expression to use.

あの～、今　何時か　教えていただけませんか？（あの　いまなんじか　おしえて　いただけませんか？）

Ano ima nanjika oshiete itadakema senka? Excuse me, could you tell me what time it is?

 

 

7. そこの　きみ！(Sokono kimi!, you, over there!)

This one is again often used by boss or teachers. Not typically used among friends and families. For example, a teacher could be saying to one of the students,

そこの　君！　ちょっと　こっちへ　来たまえ！（そこの　きみ　ちょっと　こっちえ　きたまえ！）

Chotto sokono kimi! chotto kocchie kitamae! You over there, come over here!

 

These are typical expressions you might want to know for calling someone’s attention. Stay tuned to the next series of Japanese lessons. 🙂