What is Sumimasen????

 

 

In Japanese culture, we often tend to say, sorry for no reason. I say no reason, meaning that even when we know it’s not our fault, we often end up saying, “sorry’. I remember when I first took my ESL class back in the college, ESL teacher used to tell us, “Don’t say “sorry” unless you know for sure that it is your fault! Otherwise, people would think that it was all your fault when it wasn’t.”  Do you agree with that?

In Japanese culture, just because we say, “Sumimasen (すみません)” or “Gomen nasai (ごめんなさい)”, it doesn’t mean that we feel we are doing something bad. Part of the reasons why we say that is to be polite, in a way. Or other times, I believe we say these in replace of actually, “Thank you”, believe it or not.

So, with that said, Let’s get today’s lesson started!

 

Sumimasen (すみません)

 

1)Excuse me = Sumimasen.

When you want to get someone’s attention to ask direction, this is a perfect timing to use this expression.

Excuse me, can you please tell me how to get to the stadium?

==>すみません、スタジアム　の　いきかた　おしえて　ください。（すみません、スタジアム　の　行き方　教えて　下さい。）Sumimasen, stajiamu no ikikata oshiete kudasai.

 

 

2)I am sorry. = Sumimasen

When you want to casually, say sorry, you can use Sumimasen.

For example, I am sorry for spilling some water here on a table. ==> テーブルの　うえに　おみずを　こぼして　しまって　すみません。（テーブルの上に　お水を　こぼしてしまって　すみません。）Table no ueni omizu o koboshite shimatte sumimasen.

 

3)Thank you = Sumimasen

Believe it or not, people often say Sumimasen, rather than saying “Thank you”, in Japanese.

For example, In stead of saying, “Thank you for showing me how to use this. “, we sometimes say ” Sorry I took your time on showing me how to use this.”. This is basically to respect the person you are talking to, by putting yourself at a lower position. So, in Japanese, this will be,

この　やりかた　を　きくのに　おじかんを　いただいて　しまって　すみません　でした。(この　やり方を　聞くのに　お時間を　頂いて　しまって　すみません　でした。)

Kono yarikata o kikunoni ojikan o itadaite shimatte sumimasen deshita.

 

Do you get an idea?

 

 

Sumimasen can be “Suman ne(すまんねぇ)”　＝＝＞often used by older people. or Sumima sen ne（すみませんね）==> often used by ladies.