“Excuse me” is one of the most useful phrases to learn when travelling, meeting new people, or communicating across cultures. You can use it to get someone’s attention, politely pass through a crowd, ask a question, or apologise for a small mistake.
However, the correct expression varies from one language to another. Some languages use different phrases depending on whether you want to interrupt someone, apologise, or ask a person to move aside.
In this guide, you will discover excuse me in different languages, including native translations, easy English pronunciations, real-life example sentences, and their English meanings. This list of excuse me translations around the world will help you communicate more politely and confidently.
Excuse Me in Different Languages
| Language | Native Phrase | Easy English Pronunciation | Example Sentence | English Meaning |
| English | Excuse me | ik-SKYOoz mee | Excuse me, where is the station? | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Spanish | Disculpe | dees-KOOL-peh | Disculpe, ¿dónde está el banco? | Excuse me, where is the bank? |
| French | Excusez-moi | ek-skew-zay mwah | Excusez-moi, où est la gare ? | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| German | Entschuldigung | ent-SHOOL-dee-goong | Entschuldigung, wo ist der Bahnhof? | Excuse me, where is the train station? |
| Italian | Mi scusi | mee SKOO-zee | Mi scusi, dov’è il bagno? | Excuse me, where is the bathroom? |
| Portuguese | Com licença | kohng lee-SEN-sah | Com licença, posso passar? | Excuse me, may I pass? |
| Dutch | Pardon | par-DON | Pardon, waar is het station? | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Swedish | Ursäkta | oor-SEK-tah | Ursäkta, var ligger hotellet? | Excuse me, where is the hotel? |
| Norwegian | Unnskyld | OON-shill | Unnskyld, hvor er bussen? | Excuse me, where is the bus? |
| Danish | Undskyld | OON-skul | Undskyld, hvor er stationen? | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Finnish | Anteeksi | AHN-tehk-see | Anteeksi, missä on kirjasto? | Excuse me, where is the library? |
| Icelandic | Afsakið | AV-sah-kith | Afsakið, hvar er safnið? | Excuse me, where is the museum? |
| Irish | Gabh mo leithscéal | gow muh leh-SKAYL | Gabh mo leithscéal, cá bhfuil an stáisiún? | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Welsh | Esgusodwch fi | es-gih-SOD-ookh vee | Esgusodwch fi, ble mae’r orsaf? | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Polish | Przepraszam | psheh-PRAH-sham | Przepraszam, gdzie jest hotel? | Excuse me, where is the hotel? |
| Czech | Promiňte | proh-MIN-tyeh | Promiňte, kde je nádraží? | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Slovak | Prepáčte | preh-PAATCH-teh | Prepáčte, kde je obchod? | Excuse me, where is the shop? |
| Slovenian | Oprostite | oh-proh-STEE-teh | Oprostite, kje je postaja? | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Croatian | Oprostite | oh-PROH-stee-teh | Oprostite, gdje je hotel? | Excuse me, where is the hotel? |
| Serbian | Извините | eez-VEE-nee-teh | Извините, где је станица? | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Bosnian | Izvinite | eez-vee-NEE-teh | Izvinite, gdje je banka? | Excuse me, where is the bank? |
| Bulgarian | Извинете | eez-vee-NEH-teh | Извинете, къде е гарата? | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Macedonian | Извинете | eez-vee-NEH-teh | Извинете, каде е хотелот? | Excuse me, where is the hotel? |
| Russian | Извините | eez-vee-NEE-tyeh | Извините, где находится музей? | Excuse me, where is the museum? |
| Ukrainian | Вибачте | vih-BAHCH-teh | Вибачте, де вокзал? | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Belarusian | Прабачце | prah-BAHCH-tseh | Прабачце, дзе крама? | Excuse me, where is the shop? |
| Greek | Συγγνώμη | see-GHNO-mee | Συγγνώμη, πού είναι ο σταθμός; | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Albanian | Më falni | muh FAHL-nee | Më falni, ku është hoteli? | Excuse me, where is the hotel? |
| Romanian | Scuzați-mă | skoo-ZAHTS-uh-muh | Scuzați-mă, unde este gara? | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Hungarian | Elnézést | el-NAY-zaysht | Elnézést, hol van a hotel? | Excuse me, where is the hotel? |
| Estonian | Vabandage | VAH-bahn-dah-geh | Vabandage, kus on jaam? | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Latvian | Atvainojiet | aht-vai-NOH-yeht | Atvainojiet, kur ir viesnīca? | Excuse me, where is the hotel? |
| Lithuanian | Atsiprašau | aht-see-prah-SHOW | Atsiprašau, kur yra stotis? | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Turkish | Affedersiniz | af-feh-der-see-NEEZ | Affedersiniz, tuvalet nerede? | Excuse me, where is the toilet? |
| Arabic | عذرًا | UDH-ran | عذرًا، أين المحطة؟ | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Hebrew | סליחה | slee-KHAH | סליחה, איפה התחנה? | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Persian | ببخشید | be-bakh-SHEED | ببخشید، ایستگاه کجاست؟ | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Urdu | معاف کیجیے | maa-F kee-jee-yeh | معاف کیجیے، اسٹیشن کہاں ہے؟ | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Hindi | माफ़ कीजिए | maaf kee-JEE-yeh | माफ़ कीजिए, स्टेशन कहाँ है? | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Bengali | মাফ করবেন | maf kor-BEN | মাফ করবেন, স্টেশন কোথায়? | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Punjabi | ਮਾਫ਼ ਕਰਨਾ | maaf kar-NAH | ਮਾਫ਼ ਕਰਨਾ, ਸਟੇਸ਼ਨ ਕਿੱਥੇ ਹੈ? | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Gujarati | માફ કરશો | maaf kar-SHOH | માફ કરશો, સ્ટેશન ક્યાં છે? | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Marathi | माफ करा | maaf kuh-RAH | माफ करा, स्टेशन कुठे आहे? | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Nepali | माफ गर्नुहोस् | maaf gar-noo-HOHS | माफ गर्नुहोस्, स्टेशन कहाँ छ? | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Sinhala | සමාවෙන්න | sah-mah-veh-NNAH | සමාවෙන්න, දුම්රිය ස්ථානය කොහෙද? | Excuse me, where is the railway station? |
| Tamil | மன்னிக்கவும் | man-nee-kah-vum | மன்னிக்கவும், நிலையம் எங்கே? | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Telugu | క్షమించండి | ksha-min-CHAN-dee | క్షమించండి, స్టేషన్ ఎక్కడ ఉంది? | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Kannada | ಕ್ಷಮಿಸಿ | ksha-MEE-see | ಕ್ಷಮಿಸಿ, ನಿಲ್ದಾಣ ಎಲ್ಲಿದೆ? | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Malayalam | ക്ഷമിക്കണം | ksha-mik-KAH-num | ക്ഷമിക്കണം, സ്റ്റേഷൻ എവിടെയാണ്? | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Thai | ขอโทษ | khoh-THOHT | ขอโทษ สถานีอยู่ที่ไหน | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Vietnamese | Xin lỗi | sin LOY | Xin lỗi, nhà ga ở đâu? | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Indonesian | Permisi | per-MEE-see | Permisi, di mana stasiun? | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Malay | Maafkan saya | mah-AHF-kan sah-YAH | Maafkan saya, di mana stesen? | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Makikiraan po | mah-kee-kee-RAH-an poh | Makikiraan po, dadaan lang ako. | Excuse me, I just need to pass. |
| Mandarin Chinese | 不好意思 | boo how ee-SUH | 不好意思，车站在哪里？ | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Japanese | すみません | soo-mee-mah-SEN | すみません、駅はどこですか？ | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Korean | 실례합니다 | shil-lyeh-ham-NEE-dah | 실례합니다, 역이 어디예요? | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Mongolian | Уучлаарай | oo-chlah-RAI | Уучлаарай, буудал хаана вэ? | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Kazakh | Кешіріңіз | keh-shee-ree-NEEZ | Кешіріңіз, вокзал қайда? | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Uzbek | Kechirasiz | keh-chee-rah-SEEZ | Kechirasiz, vokzal qayerda? | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Swahili | Samahani | sah-mah-HAH-nee | Samahani, kituo kiko wapi? | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Amharic | ይቅርታ | yee-kir-TAH | ይቅርታ፣ ጣቢያው የት ነው? | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Yoruba | Ẹ má bínú | eh mah BEE-noo | Ẹ má bínú, ibùdó wà níbo? | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Zulu | Uxolo | oo-KHOH-loh | Uxolo, isiteshi sikuphi? | Excuse me, where is the station? |
| Haitian Creole | Eskize m | es-kee-ZEHm | Eskize m, kote estasyon an ye? | Excuse me, where is the station? |
How to Say Excuse Me in Different Languages for Everyday Situations
Learning a translation is helpful, but knowing when to use it makes your communication more natural. The English phrase “excuse me” can serve several purposes, and other languages may use separate expressions for each one.
Getting Someone’s Attention
Use a polite expression before asking a stranger a question or requesting assistance.
Examples include:
- Spanish: Disculpe
- French: Excusez-moi
- German: Entschuldigung
- Japanese: すみません
- Mandarin Chinese: 不好意思
For example, you can say the relevant phrase before asking where the nearest bus stop is.
Apologising for a Small Mistake
If you accidentally bump into someone or interrupt a conversation, choose an expression that communicates an apology.
Examples include:
- Italian: Mi scusi
- Portuguese: Com licença
- Russian: Извините
- Hindi: माफ़ कीजिए
- Arabic: عذرًا
The most suitable expression depends on the language and the situation.
Politely Passing Through a Crowd
When you need to move past people in a crowded shop, train, or public place, some languages have expressions specifically suited to asking for passage.
For example, Portuguese speakers commonly use Com licença, while Filipino speakers may say Makikiraan po to politely ask to pass.
In English, a simple “Excuse me” or “Excuse me, coming through” can serve the same purpose.
Why Excuse Me Translations Differ Around the World
Languages reflect different ways of expressing politeness, respect, and social relationships. A phrase that works in one situation may sound too formal or unnatural in another.
Here are three important differences to understand.
Formality: French Excusez-moi is a polite form commonly used with strangers, while other expressions may be more suitable among friends.
Context: In Japanese, すみません can be used to get attention, apologise, or express thanks in certain situations. Its meaning depends on the conversation.
Respect: Languages such as Hindi, Urdu, and Filipino have forms that can communicate respect or politeness, particularly when speaking to strangers or elders.
These differences show why learning the context alongside the translation is useful.
Tips for Using Excuse Me Correctly in Another Language
You do not need to become fluent in a language to use a polite expression effectively. A few simple habits can help you communicate respectfully.
- Learn the local pronunciation. Practise saying the phrase slowly before using it in conversation.
- Choose the right level of formality. When speaking to strangers, start with a polite expression.
- Pay attention to body language. A calm voice and a friendly expression can make your request sound more considerate.
- Use a complete sentence when possible. Adding a question such as “Where is the station?” makes your intention clearer.
- Listen to local speakers. Native speakers can help you understand natural pronunciation and everyday usage.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Saying Excuse Me
Even a correct translation can sound unnatural if it is used in the wrong context.
Using an apology when asking to pass: Some languages distinguish between apologising and politely requesting space. Learn the phrase that best fits your situation.
Ignoring formal and informal speech: A casual expression may not be appropriate when addressing a stranger, customer, teacher, or older person.
Relying entirely on English pronunciation: Written pronunciation guides are approximations. Some sounds do not have exact equivalents in English.
Assuming every translation has the same meaning: A phrase may mean “sorry,” “pardon me,” or “may I pass?” depending on its use.
The best approach is to learn a phrase together with one or two realistic examples.
Conclusion
Knowing how to say “excuse me” in different languages can make travelling, asking questions, and meeting people easier. This guide covers 70 languages with native phrases, simple pronunciations, and practical example sentences.
Start by learning the phrase used in your destination, practise its pronunciation, and pay attention to the situation in which it is used. A small expression of politeness can help make communication more comfortable wherever you go.
FAQs
1. How do you say excuse me in different languages?
The phrase varies by language. Examples include Disculpe in Spanish, Excusez-moi in French, Entschuldigung in German, すみません in Japanese, and معاف کیجیے in Urdu.
2. What is the most common translation of excuse me?
There is no single translation used across every language. Expressions such as Excusez-moi, Disculpe, Entschuldigung, and すみません are common in their respective languages, although the best choice depends on the situation.
3. How do you say excuse me politely when travelling?
Learn the local polite expression, use it before asking a question, and speak clearly. If you need to pass someone, choose a phrase that politely requests space rather than one used only for apologising.
4. Is excuse me the same as sorry in every language?
No. Some languages use the same expression for both meanings in certain contexts, while others distinguish between getting attention, apologising, and asking someone to move aside.
5. Why should I learn excuse me in different languages?
Learning this phrase helps you ask for assistance, get attention respectfully, apologise for small mistakes, and navigate unfamiliar places. It is a practical expression for travellers, students, and anyone interested in other cultures.
