Welcome aboard minna!! Let’s discuss the word most commonly used by foreigners to the Japanese language – “Sumimasen” meaning “Excuse me”. You could be travelling to Japan on a vacation..or you could be someone who frequently interacts with “offshore” Japanese clients..”Sumimasen” is likely to be your first spoken Japanese word:-) This word, just like the English word “Excuse” can be used to call someone’s attention and can also work like a mild apology.
Sumimasen, eki wa doko desu ka? Excuse me, where’s the station?
Sumimasen, wakarimasen. Sorry. I don’t know.
