失礼します

As I have mentioned before, there are many expressions in Japanese that do not easily translate into English. Another everyday Japanese expression is 失礼します。So what does it mean? I think we could say:

• Excuse my intrusion
• Excuse my interruption
• Excuse me
• I beg your pardon

These expressions are very common if we want to disturb or interrupt a person, especially if they are having a conversation or blocking our way.

In Japan, waiters usually say 失礼します at our table in a restaurant but this is not the case in England.