Translation guide
The English word 'pardon' has several distinct uses: asking for repetition, apologizing, excusing oneself, and legal forgiveness. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each situation, from casual to formal.
You didn't hear or understand what someone said and want them to repeat it.
A versatile phrase meaning 'excuse me' or 'sorry'. When said with rising intonation, it politely asks for repetition. Suitable for most everyday situations.
すみません、もう一度お願いします。
Pardon? Could you say that again?
A casual interjection like 'Huh?' or 'What?'. Use only with close friends or family; can sound blunt otherwise.
え？何て言ったの？
Huh? What did you say?
Literally 'yes?', but with rising intonation it means 'Pardon?'. Polite and common in service situations.
はい？おっしゃったことが聞こえませんでした。
Pardon? I didn't catch what you said.
A direct request: 'Once more, please.' Very polite, but less common in casual speech.
申し訳ありません、もう一度お願いします。
I'm sorry, could you please repeat that?
You want to say sorry for a small error, like bumping into someone or a social faux pas.
You want to get someone's attention, pass by, or interrupt politely.
Official forgiveness for a crime, or the act of forgiving someone.
The legal term for a pardon granted by the state. Used in formal contexts.
すみません is the most versatile, used for apologies, getting attention, and thanks. ごめんなさい is a straightforward apology, more casual. 失礼します is formal and used for excusing oneself from a situation or for minor breaches of etiquette.
すみません、道を教えてください。
Pardon me, could you tell me the way?
ごめんなさい、忘れました。
Sorry, I forgot.
The go-to apology for everyday minor offenses. Slightly more polite than ごめんなさい.
すみません、ちょっとぶつかってしまいました。
Pardon me, I bumped into you.
A standard apology, slightly more casual than すみません. Common among friends and in informal settings.
ごめんなさい、遅れました。
Pardon me for being late.
A formal apology for a breach of etiquette, like interrupting or leaving early. Literally 'I was rude.'
失礼しました、お先に失礼します。
Pardon me, I'll be leaving now.
Used to get attention or excuse oneself, like 'Excuse me' in English. Works in shops, on the street, or when interrupting.
すみません、駅はどこですか？
Pardon me, where is the station?
Polite phrase when entering a room, interrupting, or passing in front of someone. More formal than すみません.
失礼します、ちょっと前を通ります。
Pardon me, I'm just passing through.
A softer, more casual way to get attention or excuse yourself. 'ちょっと' adds a sense of 'just a moment'.
ちょっとすみません、これいくらですか？
Pardon me, how much is this?
彼は恩赦を受けて釈放された。
He was granted a pardon and released.
Another legal term for pardon or amnesty. Often used in compound words.
大赦免が行われた。
A general pardon was granted.
General word for forgiveness, not specifically legal. Can be used for personal forgiveness.
彼は神の許しを求めた。
He asked for God's pardon.
Pardon me, I'll be leaving now.
The English loanword パードン (pādon) is rarely used in natural Japanese. It might be understood in very specific contexts, but it's not a standard way to say 'pardon me'. Stick to the Japanese phrases above.