あの…
すいません
This episode focuses on two essential expressions used when approaching someone or getting their attention politely. You’ll learn how to start conversations with strangers, interrupt politely, and apologize or express gratitude in everyday situations.
✅ Learn how to get someone’s attention politely
✅ Master the versatile すいません expression
✅ Practice natural conversation starters
Introduction
In this lesson, we explore two phrases that often appear together when initiating contact with someone. These expressions show the Japanese communication style of approaching others with hesitation and politeness. The combination of あの… and すいません is one of the most common ways to politely start a conversation with a stranger or interrupt someone.
あの…
Meaning & Usage
This is a hesitation word or filler used when you’re about to say something but need a moment to gather your thoughts or get someone’s attention gently. The trailing “…” indicates hesitation or uncertainty.
あの – um, uh, well, excuse me
… – (trailing off, showing hesitation)
It’s softer and more indirect than directly calling out to someone, showing consideration and politeness.
Translation
- Um…
- Uh…
- Well…
- Excuse me… (hesitant)
- So… (when starting)
Examples
あの…ちょっといいですか?
→ Um… do you have a moment?
あの…道を教えてもらえますか?
→ Excuse me… could you tell me the way?
あの…お名前は?
→ Um… what’s your name?
あの…これ、落としましたよ。
→ Excuse me… you dropped this.
あの…質問があるんですけど…
→ Um… I have a question…
Understanding あの vs あのう vs あのー
All three are variations of the same hesitation word:
あの:
- Short, basic form
- Quick hesitation
- Most common in writing
あのう:
- Extended with う sound
- Shows more hesitation
- Natural in speech
あのー:
- Extended with long vowel
- Even more hesitation
- Very common in casual speech
In practice: All three are acceptable and mean the same thing. The longer versions show more hesitation or thinking time.
When to Use あの…
Getting someone’s attention:
- あの…すいません (calling a stranger)
- あの…先生 (approaching a teacher)
Starting a difficult conversation:
- あの…実は… (Um… actually…)
- あの…相談があって… (Um… I need to talk…)
Showing hesitation:
- あの…どうしよう… (Um… what should I do…)
- あの…ちょっと… (Um… well…)
Interrupting politely:
- あの…ちょっといいですか (Um… may I interrupt?)
Similar Hesitation Words
あのう – Um (extended)
えっと / えーと – Let me see, uh, um
そのう – Well, um
まあ – Well
ええ – Well, um (softer than あの)
なんか – Like, kind of (casual, younger speakers)
Formality Note
あの is neutral and can be used in both casual and polite situations. The politeness comes from what follows, not from あの itself.
Casual: あの…これ何?
Polite: あの…すいません
Formal: あの…失礼ですが…
すいません
Meaning & Usage
This is one of the most versatile and frequently used expressions in Japanese. It’s a contraction of すみません and serves three main functions: apologizing, getting attention, and expressing gratitude (when you feel you’ve caused trouble).
すいません – contraction of すみません
Original: 済みません (すみません)
From: 済む (すむ – to be finished/settled)
The phrase literally means “it is not settled/finished,” implying you cannot fully make amends or repay the kindness.
Translation
Depending on context:
- Excuse me (getting attention)
- Sorry / I’m sorry (apologizing)
- Thank you (for the trouble)
- Pardon me (passing by)
Three Main Uses
1. Getting Attention (Excuse me):
Used to call out to someone, especially strangers or service staff.
すいません、ちょっといいですか?
→ Excuse me, do you have a moment?
すいません、これください。
→ Excuse me, I’ll take this please.
すいません、お会計お願いします。
→ Excuse me, the check please.
2. Apologizing (Sorry):
Used when you’ve made a mistake or caused inconvenience.
すいません、遅れました。
→ Sorry I’m late.
すいません、間違えました。
→ Sorry, I made a mistake.
すいません、ぶつかって。
→ Sorry for bumping into you.
3. Gratitude (Thank you):
Used when someone has gone to trouble for you, mixed with apology for causing them inconvenience.
(Someone helps carry bags) すいません。
→ Thank you (sorry for the trouble).
(Someone holds the door) すいません。
→ Thank you (sorry to trouble you).
(Someone gives up their seat) すいません。
→ Thank you (sorry for the inconvenience).
すいません vs すみません
Both are correct and commonly used:
すみません:
- Original/standard form
- Slightly more formal
- More common in writing
- Clear pronunciation
すいません:
- Casual contraction
- Very common in speech
- Natural in conversation
- Faster to say
In practice: Both are acceptable. Native speakers use both interchangeably in speech. すみません appears more in formal writing.
Formality Variations
Very casual:
- ごめん – Sorry (to friends/family)
- 悪い (わるい) – My bad (masculine)
- すまん – Sorry (masculine, casual)
Standard polite:
- すいません / すみません (our phrase)
- ごめんなさい – I’m sorry
Formal:
- 申し訳ございません (もうしわけございません) – I sincerely apologize
- 申し訳ありません – I’m very sorry
Business/very formal:
- 大変申し訳ございません – I’m terribly sorry
- 誠に申し訳ございません (まことに) – I deeply apologize
The Combination: あの…すいません
Why These Two Together?
These phrases often appear together because they serve complementary functions in starting a polite interaction:
あの… – Gets mental attention (hesitant approach)
すいません – Gets direct attention (polite call)
Together:
- Shows maximum politeness
- Indicates hesitation and respect
- Softens the interruption
- Very common with strangers
Common Situations
Asking directions:
あの…すいません、駅はどこですか?
→ Um… excuse me, where’s the station?
In a store:
あの…すいません、これありますか?
→ Excuse me… do you have this?
Calling a waiter:
あの…すいません!
→ Um… excuse me! (getting attention)
Asking a favor:
あの…すいません、写真撮ってもらえますか?
→ Um… excuse me, could you take a photo?
Starting a difficult conversation:
あの…すいません、ちょっといいですか?
→ Um… excuse me, do you have a moment?
Alternative Combinations
あのう…すいません
→ Umm… excuse me (more hesitation)
あの…失礼ですが (しつれいですが)
→ Um… excuse me but… (more formal)
あの…ちょっと
→ Um… hey (casual, to get attention)
すいません、あの…
→ Excuse me, um… (reversed order)
Common Mistakes
❌ Using only あの without すいません to strangers
Incomplete: あの…駅はどこですか?
Better: あの…すいません、駅はどこですか?
Adding すいません is more polite to strangers
❌ Confusing すいません contexts
Wrong: (After receiving a gift) すいません
Better: ありがとうございます or すいません、ありがとうございます
For gifts, gratitude should be primary
❌ Overusing あの in formal writing
Wrong in writing: あの、申し訳ございません
Correct in writing: 申し訳ございません
あの is primarily for spoken language
❌ Not trailing off with あの
Less natural: あの (said firmly)
Natural: あの… (with hesitation/trailing)
The hesitation is part of the meaning
Practice Dialogue
Scenario 1: Asking for directions
A: あの…すいません。
B: はい、何でしょう?
A: 駅はどこですか?
B: この道をまっすぐ行って、右に曲がってください。
A: ありがとうございます。すいません。
B: いえいえ、どういたしまして。
A: Um… excuse me.
B: Yes, what is it?
A: Where’s the station?
B: Go straight on this road and turn right.
A: Thank you very much. Sorry to bother you.
B: No problem, you’re welcome.
Scenario 2: In a restaurant
客: あの…すいません!
店員: はい、お待たせしました。ご注文は?
客: これとこれをお願いします。
店員: かしこまりました。少々お待ちください。
客: すいません。
Customer: Um… excuse me!
Staff: Yes, sorry to keep you waiting. Your order?
Customer: This and this, please.
Staff: Certainly. One moment please.
Customer: Thank you.
Scenario 3: Apologizing for being late
A: すいません、遅れました!
B: あ、大丈夫だよ。何かあった?
A: 電車が遅れて…本当にすいません。
B: 気にしないで。じゃあ、行こうか。
A: Sorry I’m late!
B: Oh, it’s okay. Did something happen?
A: The train was delayed… I’m really sorry.
B: Don’t worry about it. Well, shall we go?
Cultural Notes
Approaching Others in Japan
The combination of あの…すいません reflects important Japanese cultural values:
Hesitation as Politeness: The あの… shows you’re hesitant to impose on someone’s time or space, which is considered polite in Japanese culture where not being a bother (迷惑をかけない – meiwaku wo kakenai) is highly valued.
Excessive Apology: Japanese people often apologize even when approaching someone for legitimate reasons (asking directions, ordering food), showing awareness that they’re taking up someone’s time or attention.
Indirect Communication: Rather than directly calling out “Hey!” or “Hello!”, Japanese speakers soften the approach with hesitation (あの) and apology (すいません), making the interaction less direct and more comfortable.
すいません Culture: The frequent use of すいません in Japanese society – for thanks, apologies, and getting attention – reflects the cultural emphasis on acknowledging any inconvenience caused, however small, to maintain social harmony.
When to Use What
To strangers on the street:
あの…すいません (most polite)
To store staff:
すいません (direct but polite)
To friends/family:
あの… or ちょっと (casual)
In formal situations:
失礼ですが or 恐れ入りますが (very polite)
Wrap-up
This episode covered two essential expressions for polite social interaction: あの… for hesitant approach and すいません for getting attention, apologizing, or expressing gratitude. Together, they form one of the most common ways to politely initiate contact with someone in Japanese.
These phrases embody key Japanese cultural values: showing hesitation before imposing on others, acknowledging any inconvenience caused, and maintaining politeness in all interactions. Mastering these expressions is crucial for natural, respectful communication in Japanese society.