How to Say “Excuse Me” in 37 Languages (with Pronunciations)
Knowing how to say “excuse me” is essential when learning any new language. Whether you’re bumping into someone, trying to pass through a crowd, or politely asking for attention, this phrase is a universal tool for kindness and respect.
In this article, you’ll find how to say “excuse me” in many languages. The list is arranged in alphabetical order, and each phrase includes an easy-to-read pronunciation to help you sound natural and respectful while traveling, studying, or meeting new people.
Say “Excuse Me” in different Languages
Afrikaans – Verskoon my
Pronunciation: fer-skoon may
Used when interrupting or apologizing politely.
Albanian – Më falni
Pronunciation: muh fahl-nee
Used when saying sorry or excusing yourself.
Amharic – ይቅርታ (Yikirta)
Pronunciation: yee-keer-tah
A polite way to ask for forgiveness or interrupt.
Arabic – ‘Afwan
Pronunciation: ahf-wan
Can mean “excuse me” or “you’re welcome” depending on context.
Armenian – Ներեցեք (Neretsekh)
Pronunciation: neh-rets-ekh
Used for “excuse me” or “sorry” in formal speech.
Bengali – ক্ষমা করবেন (Khoma korben)
Pronunciation: khaw-ma kor-ben
Use in formal situations when excusing yourself.
Burmese – တောင်းပန်ပါတယ် (Taung pan par tal)
Pronunciation: ta-oon pan par-tal
Used when apologizing or politely getting attention.
Chinese (Mandarin) – 对不起 / 劳驾
Pronunciation: dweh-boo-chee (for “sorry”), lao-jia (for “excuse me”)
Czech – Promiňte
Pronunciation: proh-min-tyeh
Used when bumping into someone or interrupting.
Dutch – Pardon
Pronunciation: par-don
English – Excuse me
Pronunciation: ex-kewz me
Use it in various contexts: interrupting, apologizing, or asking to pass.
Filipino (Tagalog) – Paumanhin
Pronunciation: pah-oo-man-heen
Used to apologize or get attention politely.
Finnish – Anteeksi
Pronunciation: ahn-tehk-see
Use for both “excuse me” and “sorry.”
French – Excusez-moi
Pronunciation: ex-kew-zay mwah
Georgian – უკაცრავად (Ukatsravad)
Pronunciation: oo-ka-tsra-vahd
Use when you want to pass someone or get their attention.
German – Entschuldigung
Pronunciation: ent-shool-dee-goong
Greek – Με συγχωρείτε (Me synchoreíte)
Pronunciation: meh seen-ho-ree-teh
Used in formal contexts.
Hawaiian – E kala mai
Pronunciation: eh kah-lah my
Polite phrase for “excuse me” or “sorry.”
Hebrew – סלח לי (Slichah)
Pronunciation: slee-khah
Used in everyday conversation to apologize.
Hindi – Maaf kijiye
Pronunciation: maaf kee-jee-yeh
Hungarian – Elnézést
Pronunciation: el-neh-zeyst
Used to say “excuse me” or “pardon me.”
Indonesian – Permisi
Pronunciation: per-mee-see
Used when passing by or interrupting politely.
Italian – Mi scusi
Pronunciation: mee skoo-zee
Japanese – すみません (Sumimasen)
Pronunciation: soo-mee-mah-sen
Javanese – Nuwun sewu
Pronunciation: noo-woon seh-woo
Polite way to excuse yourself in Central Java.
Kazakh – Кешіріңіз (Keshiriniz)
Pronunciation: keh-shee-ree-neez
Formal apology or polite attention-getting.
Khmer – សុំទោស (Som tos)
Pronunciation: som tohs
Used when saying “excuse me” or “sorry.”
Korean – 실례합니다 (Sillyehamnida)
Pronunciation: shil-lyeh-ham-nee-da
Malay – Maaf
Pronunciation: mah-ahf
Simple, polite word for “sorry” or “excuse me.”
Pashto – بخښنه غواړم
Pronunciation: bakh-shna ghwar-um
Persian (Farsi) – ببخشید (Bebakhshid)
Pronunciation: beh-bakh-sheed
Used in both apology and interruption contexts.
Polish – Przepraszam
Pronunciation: psheh-prah-sham
Useful for many polite situations.
Portuguese – Com licença
Pronunciation: kohm lee-sen-sah
Romanian – Scuzați-mă
Pronunciation: skoo-zahts muh
Use in polite or formal speech.
Russian – Извините (Izvinite)
Pronunciation: eez-vee-nee-tyeh
Somali – Iga raali ahow
Pronunciation: ee-gah rah-lee ah-hoh
Used in polite apologies or to get attention.
Spanish – Perdón / Disculpe
Pronunciation: pehr-dohn / dees-kool-peh
Swahili – Samahani
Pronunciation: sah-mah-hah-nee
Tamil – மன்னிக்கவும் (Mannikkavum)
Pronunciation: man-nik-ka-vum
Used in formal situations to apologize or interrupt.
Thai – ขอโทษ (Khor thot)
Pronunciation: kaw-tote
Use this to say “excuse me” or “sorry.”
Turkish – Affedersiniz
Pronunciation: ahf-feh-der-sin-iz
Ukrainian – Вибачте (Vybachte)
Pronunciation: vih-bach-teh
Use it when apologizing or trying to be polite.
Urdu – معاف کیجیے (Maaf kijiye)
Pronunciation: maaf kee-jee-yeh
Vietnamese – Xin lỗi
Pronunciation: seen loy
Use for “excuse me” and “sorry.”
Final Thoughts
Learning how to say “excuse me” in different languages is more than just memorizing words. It’s a sign of respect, empathy, and cultural awareness. These small phrases can help you build big bridges across cultures. Try practicing a few today—you never know when they’ll come in handy.