excuse me

excuse me — 慣用語

1. a polite phrase spoken to make a stranger notice you, for example because you wa

1.慣用語A1
釋義

請問

引起陌生人注意的禮貌用語

a polite phrase spoken to make a stranger notice you, for example because you want to ask them a question or tell them something has happened

例句

"Excuse me," said the passenger to the driver, "I think your back tyre is flat."

「不好意思，」乘客對司機說：「我覺得你的後輪胎沒氣了。」

fixed phrase followed by a full sentence expressing the concern

"Excuse me, do you know what time the last train leaves?" the tourist asked the ticket officer.

「請問，最後一班火車什麼時候開？」遊客問售票員。

同義詞
  • pardon me

    slightly more formal, common in British English

  • sorry

    also used to get attention in informal British English, as in 'Sorry, is this seat taken?'

文法句型

Excuse me + [question/request]

用法筆記

This sense is the most general use of the phrase. It is safe in almost any situation with strangers — on the street, in a shop, on public transport.

常見錯誤

❌Excuse me! You dropped your wallet.' (shouting from across the street)
✅Excuse me, sir
💡you dropped your wallet.' (spoken calmly as you approach) — Addressing the person directly and speaking clearly makes it more polite.

2. said politely when you want someone to make room for you to get past, for exampl

2.慣用語A1
釋義

借過

請人讓路時的禮貌用語

said politely when you want someone to make room for you to get past, for example in a crowded space

例句

"Excuse me," the passenger whispered as she squeezed past the man blocking the aisle.

「借過，」那位乘客低聲說著，側身擠過擋住走道的男士。

fixed phrase used alone as a polite request to pass

The waiter said "Excuse me please" and carefully carried a tray of drinks past the busy table.

服務生說了聲「借過」後，小心翼翼地端著一托盤飲料越過忙碌的餐桌。

同義詞

文法句型

Excuse me + [optional 'please']

用法筆記

Often used alone without any other words — the context of a crowd or tight space makes the meaning clear. In British English, 'sorry' is also used this way.

常見錯誤

❌Excuse me, can you move?' (when someone is blocking your path in a shop)
✅Excuse me' (said with a polite tone while waiting to pass)
💡Adding a full request can sound impatient; the simple phrase is usually enough.

3. said politely when you need to leave a place, end a conversation, or step away f

3.慣用語A2
釋義

失陪；稍等

暫時離開或提前離席的禮貌用語

said politely when you need to leave a place, end a conversation, or step away from a group of people

例句

"Excuse me for a moment — I need to take this phone call," the host told her dinner guests.

「失陪一下——我得接這通電話，」主人對晚餐的客人說。

Excuse me + for + [reason] to politely step away temporarily

A colleague at the meeting said "Excuse me, I have another appointment" and quietly closed her laptop.

會議上一位同事說：「失陪了，我還有另一個約會。」然後輕輕闔上筆電。

同義詞
  • I'm sorry

    used the same way in British English, e.g. 'I'm sorry, I have to go'

文法句型

Excuse me + [reason for leaving]

用法筆記

When leaving a social setting permanently (not just stepping away), 'goodbye' or 'I'm off' may be more appropriate in informal contexts. This sense is best for temporary departures or leaving a group early with a brief explanation.

常見錯誤

❌After a dinner party: 'Excuse me, I'm leaving now' and simply walking out
✅Thank you for having me
💡I'd better get going. Excuse me.' — For final departure, a warmer closing phrase is more natural than just 'excuse me'.

4. a way of apologising for a small mistake or accident, such as bumping into someo

4.慣用語A1
釋義

抱歉

因小失誤或冒犯而道歉

a way of apologising for a small mistake or accident, such as bumping into someone, interrupting, or making a small noise

例句

A man bumped into a stranger on the pavement and quickly said, "Oh, excuse me."

一名男子在人行道上撞到陌生人，趕緊說：「喔，抱歉。」

excuse me used right after a minor accident to apologise

"Excuse me," the woman whispered after accidentally stepping on someone's foot in the cinema.

「抱歉，」那位女士在電影院裡不小心踩到別人的腳，低聲說道。

同義詞
  • sorry

    more common in British English for minor accidents

  • pardon me

    more formal, common in American English for minor apologies

文法句型

Excuse me + [optional explanation of accident]

用法筆記

This is for very small, accidental offences. For serious mistakes, use 'I'm (so) sorry' or 'I apologise'. In British English, 'sorry' alone can replace 'excuse me' in many of these situations.

常見錯誤

❌After accidentally bumping into someone on a busy street: 'Excuse me for bumping into you.
✅Excuse me' (said quickly, with a polite tone)
💡Adding details can make the apology sound awkwardly formal.

5. said before expressing a different opinion, especially in a polite or careful wa

5.慣用語B1
釋義

恕我直言

禮貌提出異議前的緩衝語

said before expressing a different opinion, especially in a polite or careful way to avoid sounding rude

例句

"Excuse me, but I think the total on this bill is wrong," the customer said to the cashier.

「不好意思，我認為這張帳單的總金額有誤，」顧客對收銀員說。

Excuse me + but + [polite correction/disagreement]

"Excuse me," the student said in class, "I have a different view on that point."

「不好意思，」學生在課堂上說：「我對那點有不同的看法。」

同義詞
  • with respect

    formal, used in professional or official settings

  • I'm sorry, but

    very common alternative in British English, slightly softer

文法句型

Excuse me, but + [polite disagreement]

用法筆記

The tone of voice matters greatly here. A gentle, uncertain tone maintains politeness, while a firm or sharp tone can make 'excuse me' sound challenging or confrontational.

常見錯誤

❌Excuse me, you are wrong.' (too direct)
✅Excuse me, but I understood it differently.' (focuses on your own perspective rather than accusing)
💡Stating your own view rather than attacking the other person's keeps the conversation polite.

6. said with a rising tone when you did not hear or understand what someone said an

6.慣用語A2
釋義

請再說一遍

沒聽清楚時請對方重複

said with a rising tone when you did not hear or understand what someone said and would like them to say it again

例句

"Excuse me?" the old woman said, cupping a hand behind her ear because the train was too loud.

「請再說一遍？」老太太把手攏在耳後，因為火車太吵了。

Excuse me? with rising intonation to ask for repetition

"Excuse me?" asked the receptionist, who had not caught the name the caller had said.

「請再說一遍？」接待員問道，她沒聽清楚來電者報的名字。

同義詞
  • sorry?

    much more common in British English for asking someone to repeat

  • pardon?

    formal, common in British English

  • come again?

    informal, casual

文法句型

Excuse me? (rising intonation)

用法筆記

In American English, a rising 'Excuse me?' can sound slightly offended if said abruptly. In British English, 'sorry?' is more common for asking someone to repeat. A clearer alternative is 'Could you say that again, please?'

常見錯誤

❌Excuse me?!' (with aggressive tone, implying offence)
✅Excuse me?' (with rising pitch, showing you simply didn't hear)
💡A sharp tone can be mistaken for anger rather than a request for repetition.