Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Excuse" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "excuse", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
お邪魔します
おじゃまします (ojamashimasu)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
免じる
めんじる (menjiru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "excuse" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between お邪魔します and 免じる.
In Japanese, お邪魔します (おじゃまします (ojamashimasu)) is typically associated with "Excuse me for disturbing; (polite phrase used when entering someone's home/office)" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents A polite, set phrase used when visiting someone's home or office, expressing apology for imposing on their space. 主に家や部屋に入る際に言います。.
On the other hand, 免じる (めんじる (menjiru)) maps to "to excuse, to exempt, to remit, to forgive" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents A somewhat formal verb. Often used in contexts of excusing someone from a duty, forgiving a fault, or remitting a punishment/fine. A literal translation of "excuse" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "お邪魔します"
友達の家を訪ねるとき、ドアを開けて「お邪魔します」と言いました。
When visiting a friend's house, I opened the door and said 'Ojamashimasu'.
Bilingual Context for "免じる"
今回は特別に失敗を免じてあげよう。
I will make an exception and forgive your mistake this time.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "友達の家を訪ねるとき、ドアを開けて「 ＿＿＿ 」と言いました。" (Meaning: "When visiting a friend's house, I opened the door and said 'Ojamashimasu'.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "お邪魔します" fits here because it means "Excuse me for disturbing; (polite phrase used when entering someone's home/office)" in the context of: "When visiting a friend's house, I opened the door and said 'Ojamashimasu'.". "免じる" represents "to excuse, to exempt, to remit, to forgive".