Japanese

Interjection

失礼します ‎(hiragana しつれいします, romaji shitsurei shimasu)

1. excuse me, I'm sorry

Usage notes

Used to indicate that the speaker is about to do something that might be perceived as rude, such as leave a place or event before other people, or hang up on the phone.

Related terms

• 失礼 (しつれい) ‎(shitsurei)
• 失礼 (しつれい)しました ‎(shitsurei shimashita) (the past tense form, used to say “excuse me” in reference to past actions)
• お先 (さき)に失礼 (しつれい)します ‎(o-saki ni shitsurei shimasu, “please excuse me for doing something before you”)