JLPT N3 · Expression

すみません (sumimasen)

すみません is a Japanese expression meaning “excuse me; pardon me”. It is usually written in kana. It appears in JLPT N3 vocabulary lists and is marked as a common word in JMdict.

Reading: すみません
Romaji: sumimasen
Word class: Expression
Level: JLPT N3 (unofficial)

Meaning

excuse me; pardon me; I'm sorry; I beg your pardon · expression, interjection · usually written in kana, polite · used to apologize or get someone's attention
thank you; you shouldn't have; it's too much · expression, interjection · usually written in kana, polite

Example sentences

すみません、この席あいていますか。

Excuse me, is this seat taken?

Tatoeba #214207

Sentences from the Tatoeba project, linked to this word in JMdict.

Source: JMdict entry 1295060 (EDRDG, CC BY-SA 4.0). Level: unofficial JLPT list – how levels are assigned.