Japanese

Japanese phrasebook

This entry is part of the phrasebook project, which presents criteria for inclusion based on usefulness, simplicity and commonness.

Alternative forms

• 御邪魔します

Phrase

お邪魔します ‎(hiragana おじゃまします, romaji ojama shimasu)

1. hello, sorry for any trouble

Usage notes

Said upon arrival when visiting someone's place. Literally means “I'm being a bother,” “I'm bothering you,” in recognition of the likelihood that the visit puts some burden on the visitee, such as taking up their time.

At the end of the visit, upon departing, the visitor may say お邪魔しました (ojama shimashita), “I've been a bother” → “thank you for your time.”