One Word for Sorry, Excuse Me, and Thanks

すみません (sumimasen) is often one of the very first words a visitor to Japan picks up, and for good reason: it does the job of several different English phrases at once. Depending on the moment, it can mean "excuse me," "I'm sorry," or even a soft, indirect "thank you."

To get someone's attention, すみません works like "excuse me" — calling a server over in a restaurant, asking a stranger for directions, or stepping past someone on a crowded train all start with this one word.

As an apology, すみません is what you'll hear, and say, after bumping into someone, arriving a few minutes late, or interrupting a conversation, often paired with a small bow.

It also carries a gentler, third meaning. When someone goes out of their way for you — holding a door, offering their seat — saying すみません quietly acknowledges the trouble you caused them, sitting somewhere between "sorry" and "thank you." When there is no trouble to apologize for, such as receiving a gift or a compliment, the plain ありがとう (arigatou, "thank you") fits better.

To brush off someone else's apology or thanks, いいえ (iie, "no") is often said twice in a row — いいえ、いいえ — a soft way of saying "don't worry about it" or "it's nothing."