失礼します

• Reading: しつれいします
• Romaji: shitsurei shimasu
• Kanji breakdown: 失 (lose) + 礼 (courtesy/politeness) → losing courtesy, being rude
• Pronunciation: /ɕi.tsɯ.ɾeː.ɕi.ma.sɯ/

Meaning

Excuse me — a polite phrase used when entering or leaving a room, interrupting, or excusing oneself.

One of the most important polite expressions in Japanese social and professional life. 失礼します literally means 'I will commit a rudeness' and is used when entering an office, leaving a meeting, hanging up the phone, or any situation where you are interrupting or departing. The past tense 失礼しました means 'I have committed a rudeness' and is used as an apology.

Examples

1. 失礼します、部長はいらっしゃいますか。 Excuse me, is the department manager in?
2. お先に失礼します、おつかれさまです。 I'll be heading out now — thank you for your hard work.
3. 失礼します、ちょっとよろしいですか。 Excuse me, do you have a moment?

Usage Guide

Context: workplace, formal settings, phone calls, entering/leaving rooms

Tone: polite, respectful

Do Say

• 失礼します、お時間いただけますか (Excuse me, could I have a moment of your time?)
• それでは失礼します (Well then, I'll take my leave)

Don't Say

• 友達同士で「失礼します」は堅すぎる — 「じゃあね」「またね」で十分 (失礼します is too stiff between friends — じゃあね or またね is fine)

Common Mistakes

• Not using 失礼します when entering a superior's office or meeting room — it is expected
• Confusing 失礼します (I'm about to be rude) with 失礼しました (I was rude / apology)

Origin & History

From 失礼 (shitsurei, rudeness/impoliteness), composed of 失 (lose) + 礼 (politeness/courtesy). Literally 'I lose courtesy' → 'I am being rude.' A fundamental phrase in Japanese keigo (polite language).

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional, centuries of usage

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal (formal contexts)

Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. An absolutely essential phrase for professional life. One of the first keigo expressions learners should master.