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
言い訳
いいわけ (iiwake)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "excuse" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between お邪魔します and 言い訳.
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, 言い訳 (いいわけ (iiwake)) maps to "excuse, explanation" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Often used for giving reasons to avoid responsibility or for a minor mistake. Can have a negative connotation.. 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 "言い訳"
彼はいつも言い訳ばかりしている。
He's always making excuses.
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'.". "言い訳" represents "excuse, explanation".